Babcock Apprentices are gaining international experience through an exchange programme connecting Babcock’s Rosyth site with academic institute CKZiU in Gdynia, Poland, and supported by Forth Valley College.
The exchange, running alongside Babcock’s support to the Miecznik frigate Programme in Poland, comes as Babcock opens its applications for its 2025 apprenticeships.
Building on the success of last year’s pilot, Babcock expanded its international apprentice exchange in Poland from five days to two weeks underlining its commitment to investing in the next generation of skilled workers, providing unique opportunities to develop and share expertise in a global context. The programme is facilitated by support from CKZiU and Forth Valley College in Scotland.
This year’s programme saw apprentices from Rosyth and Polish students from CKZiU develop technical skills and gain work experience in shipbuilding and manufacturing industries.
Participants include Luci McCrorie, a Welding Apprentice, and Rio Trevisani, a Mechanical Apprentice from Babcock, alongside Polish shipbuilding technician students, Maciej Dąbrowski and Oliwier Łysakowski.
Luci and Rio spent two weeks in Gdynia, Poland, touring the PGZ Shipyard, attending a robotics workshop, and gaining hands-on training in welding and car mechanics.
Maciej and Oliwier completed the UK leg at Babcock’s Rosyth site, working across key departments, followed by technical workshops at Forth Valley College. Whilst at the college, Maciej and Oliwier joined Babcock apprentices to undertake a number of welding tasks and were delighted to receive a certificate for their presented work.
Paul Watson, Managing Director, Arrowhead, said: “We’re thrilled to build on last year’s success by extending the exchange to provide more in-depth experiences on both sides. This programme gives apprentices valuable international experience and fosters strong partnership connections that are key in today’s global industry.
“And with applications now open for next year’s apprentice intake at Rosyth we are opening up a world of opportunity for the next generation of Rosyth employees.”
Rafał Miłosz, Director of CKZiU No. 1 in Gdynia, said: “It was a pleasure to support this exchange in collaboration with Babcock and to host two of their apprentices. For our CKZiU students to gain experience with a renowned international company such as Babcock will have many positive benefits on their personal development and on their future professional work.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together on future projects.”
Caroline Hogg, Head of Apprenticeships at Forth Valley College, said: “Forth Valley College were thrilled to support Babcock and their International Apprentice Exchange programme. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our academic and workshop environment with Maciej and Oliwier while also learning from their own experience.”
Babcock was selected as the platform design provider and technology partner for the MIECZNIK frigate programme and this initiative is part of our wider ambitions to support Polish students and contribute to the local workforce in Gdynia.
Following on from a record-breaking apprentice intake in 2024, Babcock, the international defence company, has opened applications for its training programme for 2025 applicants.
Hot on the heels of more than 100 apprentices joining the Rosyth site in 2024, the Fife facility is seeking 108 apprentices across a range of trades including Welders, Fabricators, Pipeworkers, Mechanical and Electrical Fitters, CNC Machinists and Design Apprentices to support its specialist engineering capability.
The company, which undertakes design, build, support and decommissioning activity is recruiting talented individuals to support the delivery of world-class programmes for both defence and commercial customers in the UK and Internationally.
More than 200 apprentices currently work at the Babcock site, as the engineering company continues to grow its workforce.
Application for its 2025 apprentice intake can be accessed via Apprenticeships · Babcock Early Careers (babcockinternational.com)
