Babcock International has a partnering arrangement with the Royal Navy and, as such, has unrivalled access to the Navy's unique training facilities. This has provided organisations such as Southern Water with the ability to invest in developing our technical workforce for the future. 

The engineering facilities, combined with access to leisure and recreational facilities, offer an apprenticeship programme that develops the whole technician. In 2003, the first intake of our apprentices came through the gates at HMS Sultan, the largest engineering training facility in Europe.

Our apprentices undertake an intensive six-month training period when they live 'on board'. This provides a safe environment in which to learn and the training is also of a highly practical nature because the group has access to all the equipment used by its naval counterparts.

We also operate a mentoring system and the apprentices are encouraged to participate with their naval peer group. Some even represented HMS Sultan at football and boxing.

During their six months at HMS Sultan it is easy to see the apprentices develop personally and professionally ready to return to us to begin their professional career.