V05039 - Higher Apprentice Business Support

BAE SYSTEMS PLC

Hants (PO3 5PQ)

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026

Posted on 4 December 2025


Summary

With collaboration, innovation and a laser-like customer focus at its core, M&L Defence Solutions is growing a strong, long-term UK product and support business. It focusses on four key areas: Future Warship Support, Underwater Battlespace, Future Land Capability and Future Air Defence.

Wage

£22,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We offer a competitive salary with annual increases throughout the apprenticeship and a range of employee benefits including, free higher education as well as access to the Company pension and share saving scheme

Training course
Operations manager (level 5)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • You will undertake placements in business functions such as Supply Chain, Human Recourses and Project Control, supporting the efficient running of departments throughout the business.  
  • The placements are approximately 6 months long, and you will complete 4 in total.  
  • The Business Support Apprenticeship is typically 24 months (2 years) and aims to provide a highly transferable set of knowledge, skills and behaviours, which can be gained working within the organisation and its processes.

Where you'll work

BAE Systems
Broad Oak, The Airport
Portsmouth
Hants
PO3 5PQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

RHG CONSULT LTD

Training course

Operations manager (level 5)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Communicate and present information to stakeholders using different types of media.
  • Identify problems and provide solutions.
  • Manage and set goals and accountabilities for individuals and teams.
  • Analyse performance data for individuals and teams to identify areas for improvement.
  • Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
  • Lead and influence the team and individuals to support an inclusive culture of equity, diversity, and the promotion of well-being.
  • Motivate team members and individuals through collaborative activities, for example one-to-one coaching and team meetings, to achieve organisational goals.
  • Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
  • Research, interpret and analyse information to inform the implementation of business plans or projects.
  • Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
  • Interpret and implement the practical application of regulation, legislation and organisational policies for stakeholders.
  • Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation.
  • Analyse and prioritise organisation activities in response to the operating environment.
  • Implement business continuity plans, including risk assessment, contingency planning and disaster recovery, to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical functions.
  • Identify and respond to external factors that may influence the future landscape and evaluate their impact on the organisation.
  • Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to shape and agree goals and outcomes.
  • Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
  • Deliver sustainable services and solutions which allow the organisation to respond to changes in social, economic and environmental factors.
  • Manage and facilitate learning and continuous professional development for their team.
  • Coach and mentor individuals within their team.
  • Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.
  • Communicate and present information to stakeholders using different types of media.
  • Identify problems and provide solutions.
  • Manage and set goals and accountabilities for individuals and teams.
  • Analyse performance data for individuals and teams to identify areas for improvement.
  • Manage and influence project activity to deliver within budget and resource requirements.
  • Lead and influence the team and individuals to support an inclusive culture of equity, diversity, and the promotion of well-being.
  • Motivate team members and individuals through collaborative activities, for example one-to-one coaching and team meetings, to achieve organisational goals.
  • Use digital tools to analyse information and monitor performance and budgets to drive the implementation and delivery of plans and projects.
  • Research, interpret and analyse information to inform the implementation of business plans or projects.
  • Evaluate the impact of outcomes from organisational plans or projects to drive the decision-making process.
  • Interpret and implement the practical application of regulation, legislation and organisational policies for stakeholders.
  • Manage continuous improvement and change for their team and organisation.
  • Analyse and prioritise organisation activities in response to the operating environment.
  • Implement business continuity plans, including risk assessment, contingency planning and disaster recovery, to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical functions.
  • Identify and respond to external factors that may influence the future landscape and evaluate their impact on the organisation.
  • Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to shape and agree goals and outcomes.
  • Manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders.
  • Deliver sustainable services and solutions which allow the organisation to respond to changes in social, economic and environmental factors.
  • Manage and facilitate learning and continuous professional development for their team.
  • Coach and mentor individuals within their team.
  • Develop and implement operational plans that align with the strategic direction of the organisation.

Training schedule

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE Inc Maths, English & Science or Technical (grade A*-C or 9-4 (or equivalent)

A Level in:

STEM Based Subjects, must include Maths (grade 96 UCAS points, C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Please be aware of qualification entry criteria when applying for this role. This is clearly displayed on the advert under the section qualification requirements. To be eligible for the role, you must meet these entry requirements.

About this employer

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of more than 93,000 people in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

https://careers.baesystems.com/locations/uk/apprentices (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing & lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Approximately 95% of apprentices choose to stay on with us. As a global business, there is a world of opportunities – whether you decide to stay in the UK, or explore an overseas role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RHG CONSULT LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000003984.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026

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