‘I’m proud to work on a project that could help keep my friends safe’

When Craig left the armed forces after 15 years of service, including 10 as a Royal Marine, he still wanted to play a part in keeping the country safe.

“I was sure I wanted to stay in something defence focused and contribute to the industry,” he says.

Craig, 34, had seen first hand the critical role cyber security plays in modern defence.

“You could see the shift and how important information and data was becoming,” he says. “It was clear to me that cyber security was going to become a pretty critical job, not just for defence, but for critical infrastructure in the UK.”

So when he saw an advertisement for a cyber security apprenticeship at Glasgow’s BAE Systems, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to embark on a new career path while still using his military skills and experience.

“The military is really good at giving you soft skills like teamwork and attention to detail – and, in terms of cyber security, being able to think adversarially and put yourself in the shoes of someone that might be trying to break into your systems.

“But without the qualifications and experience, it’s quite hard to get a role.”

The apprenticeship gives Craig the best of both worlds – a fully funded qualification in cyber security combined with invaluable hands-on experience.

BAE Systems is a major defence, security and aerospace company operating in the UK and globally.

In Glasgow, the company’s main activities focus on naval shipbuilding at two major yards, in Govan and Scotstoun on the River Clyde. The sites are a key part of the UK’s naval shipbuilding capability, employing several thousand people.

BAE Systems is continuing a centuries-long legacy of shipbuilding in the city – but it's investing in its future too. The company has