Rolls-Royce expands apprentice intake to strengthen the engineering sector’s competitiveness

To coincide with a visit by the Prime Minister to the Group’s Derby facility later today, Rolls-Royce announces that in 2009 it will take on 50 extra apprentices in addition to the 170 it had already planned to recruit in the UK. The costs of training these additional 50 apprentices will be met by Government. The 50 apprentices will after training be available to work in other local companies, many of which are part of the Rolls-Royce supply chain.

Sir John Rose, Chief Executive, said: “We are proud of our apprentice scheme which we believe makes a strong contribution to the competitiveness of our workforce and to that of the wider economy. The priority we attach to learning and skills is a good indicator of the benefits that high value added manufacturing delivers to the UK economy.”

The Rolls-Royce apprentice programme has been established for more than fifty years and 98% of our apprentices complete their training, a statistic which is well above the national average. Over 50% go on to Higher Education and successfully complete HNC/Foundation degree or degree programmes. Of these 15% pursue a further academic qualification, most frequently a Masters degree or PhD, within 10 years of their initial qualification.


Notes to editors

1. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. The Group has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries. It employs around 39,000 people worldwide people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries and has businesses headquartered in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
3. Rolls-Royce continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products. These investments create high barriers to entry.
4. In Derby Rolls-Royce will work in partnership with Derby College and Training 2000 to deliver this additional apprentice training.
5. Rolls-Royce has around 600 advanced apprentices on its apprentice programmes across ten sites in the UK. Over 50 per cent successfully complete Higher Education programmes and progress into a range of technical, professional and managerial roles.
6. Each year, in collaboration with its partners, Rolls-Royce invests over £800 million on research and development, two thirds of which has the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products. The primary technology investment area is aimed at reducing noise and emissions
7. Sixty per cent of research and development investment and 40 per cent of new product development spending over the past five years has been outside the UK. Research and development is carried out in facilities in the UK, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Japan, the US and Scandinavia, with particularly strong relationships with the 29 universities where there are Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres.