Trident Decision To Create 200 Engineering Jobs

The government’s decision to approve initial work on the replacement for the Trident nuclear weapon system will create at least 200 engineering jobs, it has been announced.

Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, has approved the £3 billion first design stage for replacement submarines, resulting in the creation of 200 engineering jobs at a Cumbria shipyard.

BAE to create 200 project management and engineering jobs

BAE Systems in Barrow confirmed that over 200 engineering and project management jobs would be created.

BAE managing director John Hudson said: "We are pleased that the Ministry of Defence has placed this important design contract with us, along with our industrial partners, Rolls Royce and Babcock Marine.

"Submarine design remains a demanding technical challenge.

"We currently employ around 5,000 employees and this contract is important in sustaining and developing our skilled workforce, initially in engineering and project management."

Alternative systems to be investigated

A final decision about the replacement for Trident will not be made until 2016 and a review into alternative options will be overseen by Nick Harvey, the Armed Forces’ Minister.

Local Barrow MP John Woodcock welcomed the news about the new engineering jobs but was concerned that a Liberal Democrat had been put in charge of the project considering the party’s opposition to replacing Trident.

Mr Woodcock said: "I think workers in Barrow shipyard are going to listen with alarm to the prospect that there is going to be yet another review into the feasibility and studying alternative options."