PUBLIC leaders have underlined the economic importance of BAE Systems in the wake of an extensive recruitment drive. 

The company last month announced it was looking to hire around 1,200 employees in a variety of roles, the majority of which would be in Barrow. 

"Already this year, we have welcomed more than 600 people into the business on our early careers programme," said a BAE spokesman at the time.

And Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said there were 'few places lucky enough to have an employer of this scale' with 'such a robust, long-term order book'.

"Although, of course, it’s not all down to luck – the fabulous workforce and local commitment and support play a significant role too," she said.

"BAE do also work hard to ensure the benefits spin out into the wider economy and community, both through encouraging and supporting local supply chains and through active involvement and support for schools, colleges, community initiatives, local economy development initiatives and more."

However, she stressed that the recruitment drive did 'present challenges' given 'the shortages of people with the right skills, and indeed who could be trained'.

READ MORE: Recruitment drive under way at BAE - including hundreds of jobs in Barrow

"This is something BAE are well aware of, and something they are heavily involved in working with ourselves and others locally and in the county more widely to address – through things like the Local Skills Improvement Plan, Furness Education and Skills Partnership, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and more," she said.

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, said it was 'incredibly positive news' that there was 'such certainty over the programme of work in the shipyard at present'.

"The work undertaken there is not just some of the most complex engineering on the planet, but also serves to keep our country, and our allies, safe," said Mr Fell. 

"Britain's guarantee of security, in the face of threats like those offered by Putin with his illegal invasion of Ukraine, underscores why the shipyard, and its supply chain, are so vital.

"I'm proud that this Government have enabled that certainty, and I look forward to further investment as Dreadnought and SSNR progress."