The innovative initiative enables students from participating local secondary schools to complete their National Progression Award (NPA) in Engineering, while gaining direct engagement with Babcock. With over 26,000 employees worldwide, Babcock provides critical engineering support across naval, land, air, and nuclear operations, delivering essential services to defence and civil customers.
The programme focuses on equipping participants with both practical skills and academic excellence, preparing them for a rewarding career in engineering. Upon successful completion, students are offered the opportunity to be fast-tracked through the application process for Babcock’s Modern Apprenticeship programme at Faslane and Coulport.
The programme has already proven its effectiveness. In its inaugural year, 90% of the cohort secured places on Babcock’s Modern Apprenticeship programme—a testament to the programme’s success. Building on this achievement, participation has more than doubled in the second year, with 23 pupils currently enrolled on the programme being delivered at the College’s Clydebank and Greenock campuses.
Head of Engineering Technologies, Sam Thomson said, “Our collaboration with Babcock provides young people with a unique and invaluable opportunity to connect directly with one of the most respected names in engineering. By blending academic learning with practical experience, we are equipping the next generation with the skills, confidence, and pathways to thrive in a competitive industry. The success of the partnership to date is evident in its outcomes and we are excited to see where this next year takes us.”
Babcock Early Careers Manager, Rebecca Nicholls, said,
‘At Babcock we take great pride in the pre-apprenticeship programme that has been developed in collaboration with West College Scotland. This initiative supports social mobility and diversity by creating new opportunities for more people to kick off a successful long-term career in engineering and defence, with the unique opportunities and skilled technical training that comes with this. We are excited about the future developments and opportunities this programme can bring.’
West College Scotland and Babcock are committed to fostering local talent, providing young people with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Check out our website if you would like to find out more about our Schools Vocational Programme, our speak to your guidance teacher about selecting one of our courses in your subject choices next year.