14 Aug 2024

Welcoming the latest cohort of Production Support Operatives to Rosyth

It’s been a busy time at our Rosyth site as the latest phase of our Production Support Operative (PSO) programme gets underway. We’re pleased to welcome our fifth intake of PSOs recently, who join the three cohorts already working within our operations and one cohort completing their studies at college. 

Underpinning our commitment to deliver the growth, skills and capability enhancements to support our customers’ critical programmes for years to come, in March we announced that over the next four years we’re creating more than 1,000 new jobs at our large-scale, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding facility in Rosyth. These roles include 350 PSOs, which will support programmes like the Type 31 frigate design and build.

The new group of PSOs that have joined us recently, with a range of life and work experiences, will spend the next five weeks at the Rosyth campus of Fife College where they will undertake a period of basic training in health and safety, the use of hand tools, abrasive wheels, hot work, fabrication and welding, before they begin work at our Rosyth site in September.

Our PSO initiative is focused on attracting people from a range of backgrounds and experience, including those not currently in education, employment or training, with the role centred around supporting and learning from time-served tradespeople. It provides more individuals with the opportunity to upskill and work on programmes of national importance.

Nearly 100 PSOs have joined us already this year, with three further cohorts planned to join Babcock at phased intervals throughout the year.

We continue to invest in development programmes, such as the PSO initiative, to enable our trainees to experience a mix of on-the-job learning in a modern, digitally led industrial environment, alongside academic training with further education partners. Attracting, retaining and developing talent is essential to the future success of our business and directly benefits the local communities in which we operate.