Babcock International has been announced as an official Patron of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
The aerospace and defence company, which operates Devonport Royal Dockyard, is a leading provider of critical, complex engineering services supporting national defence, saving lives and protecting communities.
Babcock delivers its services through four sectors: Marine, Nuclear, Land and Aviation.
As well as offering marine technology solutions to improve customers’ complex, safety-critical operations, the firm supports the Royal Navy’s ships and crew and navies around the world through the delivery of complex ship and submarine sustainment programmes.
Babcock’s position as a Chamber Patron reflects its status as a regional leader and a supporter of hundreds of businesses in the South West.
Patrons of the Chamber are some of the best-known and respected names in the business community. They are woven into the Chamber’s extensive lobbying activities and become one of the region’s principal voices.
Paul Foster Managing Director Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited (DRDL), is pleased that Babcock is now a patron of the Chamber, and said: “Devonport Royal Dockyard is an integral part of Plymouth’s business community in its capacity as a major employer within the city, but also with its rich maritime heritage. The site has a fascinating past and an exciting future, with a pipeline of work in the decades ahead.
“Contributing to the growth of the region’s economy is also an important priority for us. Our aim is to continue to work closely with local businesses and suppliers and to increase spending on, and investment in, companies in the area. This is not only beneficial to our local communities, but also supports our sustainability agenda.
“We offer a wide range of apprenticeships and career opportunities, and with many innovative technological based projects being trialled at Devonport, along with major investments and building projects underway, there has never been a better time to showcase the great work that we’re delivering and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Babcock played an active role in National Apprenticeship Week 2021, which took place earlier this month, and is recruiting more than 100 apprentices in Plymouth as it continues delivering critical defence projects for its customers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, the number of apprentices recruited at Devonport doubled, with 145 starting their careers and fulfilling a variety of roles, including welding, electrical, mechanical and marine pipefitting, and fabricating. Similar numbers are being sought for this year.
Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford said: “Babcock continues to invest its wide range of long-established and award-winning apprenticeship programmes – particularly here in Plymouth.
“With the next group of apprentices set to start with the company at Devonport Dockyard in September 2021, their position as Patron underlines just what an asset they are and will continue to be to our region’s businesses.
“Our Patrons play a unique role in developing the future of our region and the Chamber is far stronger with Babcock’s support and Patronage.”
As well as its huge recruitment drive, Babcock is currently working on a number of multi-million pound ship and submarine refit and upgrade programmes, as well as investing in and modernising on-site facilities.
