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.