Navantia UK is expanding apprenticeship training across its UK operations, raising its target from 500 to 750 positions by 2030. The move coincides with a visit by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander to the company's Methil yard in Fife, where investment and workforce numbers continue to climb alongside new naval shipbuilding work.
What's driving the apprenticeship increase
The expanded training commitment is tied directly to construction work on three Fleet Solid Support ships being built for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the UK's naval support fleet. According to GOV.UK, Alexander and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard toured the Methil site on Monday, meeting apprentices and inspecting recent upgrades, including a newly completed paint shop and new machinery installed as part of the yard's modernization program.
Since Navantia UK took over the Methil yard in January 2025, total investment there has reached £26.7 million. That figure includes £12 million announced this year specifically for training facilities, infrastructure, advanced machinery and new technology aimed at increasing the site's production capacity.
Workforce growth and new contracts
Methil's workforce has grown from 180 to 275 employees, with 75 apprentices currently training at the site. The yard recently secured a second export vessel contract and is recruiting 60 additional skilled tradespeople, including welders, platers, riggers, scaffolders and painters, reflecting steady demand for shipbuilding trades in the region.
Alexander said the yard's growing order book, expanding workforce and higher apprenticeship numbers demonstrate how government support combined with industrial investment can sustain jobs and economic growth in Scotland. The statement reflects a policy position rather than an independently verified economic assessment.
What this means for apprenticeship access
For workers considering shipbuilding trades, the expansion signals sustained demand for both entry-level apprenticeships and experienced skilled tradespeople over the coming years. Fleet Solid Support ship construction is a multi-year program, which typically provides more predictable training pipelines than short-term contracts. Prospective applicants should note that specific entry requirements, application timelines and apprenticeship standards would be set by Navantia UK directly, and interested candidates should consult the company's own recruitment channels for current openings and eligibility criteria.