8 November 2024 | 0 minutes read

A key local employer

Our role in the community

We have a workforce 7,000 strong, the majority of whom live within 20 miles of our site.

We have a wide programme of engagement with 37 UK universities, and five strategic alliances with the universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Cranfield, Heriot-Watt, and Imperial. In addition, 93 ‘year in industry’ posts are provided to UK universities by AWE.

We also have an apprenticeship and graduate programme where successful applicants benefit from the opportunity to work in world-class facilities. Those completing our programmes have gone on to a wide variety of roles within AWE. Our Skills Academy has a long and proud history, with thousands of young people completing their apprenticeships since it opened its doors more than 70 years ago; many are now in senior leadership roles at AWE.

Our recently appointed Executive Director of Estates and Liabilities, Mark Hedges, began his career with us in 1985 as an apprentice. Almost 40 years later he is still with us, driving change but now at executive level.

More news

Celebrating Ada Lovelace – the worlds’ first computer programmer

Last week, in Ada Lovelace’s honour, a passionate team from AWE welcomed around 70 enthusiastic Year 6 students and their teachers to a STEM event to celebrate science, creativity and resilience. In the early 19th century, long before the digital age, Ada Lovelace laid the groundwork for modern computing. Born in 1815, Ada was fascinated by mathematics […]

Press Releases

22 Oct 2025

Office for Nuclear Regulation investigation findings

Today, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) announced its investigation findings following the fatality of a Balfour Beatty employee in 2023, who was working in a construction enclave on AWE’s Aldermaston site.

A commemorative display in a grand room with marble columns and historic portraits, showcasing AWE's 75-year timeline of nuclear security technologies from the 1940s to the present, under the slogan 'Proud of our past. Prepared for the future.'

75 Years of AWE: A landmark innovation showcase

On 16 October, AWE marked a major milestone in its history with the ‘AWE75: Proud of our past. Prepared for our future.’ event at the Institution of Civil Engineers, London. The event saw over 100 guests from across government, academia and the defence community gather to commemorate AWE’s legacy and look ahead to our future.