AIRBUS says it expects to hire over 1,000 new UK employees as part of a recruitment drive. 

The company said that it is looking to recruit 1,100 new workers across its three business areas (Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters, Defence and Space).

In Commercial Aircraft, Airbus there is a need for Cryogenic Systems engineers, Manufacturing engineers and Robotics engineers.

In Defence and Space, it has a need for Cyber Security engineers, Software engineers, as well as Project and Programme managers.

Airbus said it is continuing to invest in graduates and apprentices - with 2023 marking the highest number of Early Careers new starters to join Airbus in the UK in more than 10 years, with a total of 668 UK interns, apprentices and grads beginning their Airbus journey this summer. 

An Oxford Economics survey has outlined Airbus' contribution to the UK, as well as its role in supporting direct and indirect employment across the wider aerospace and defence supply chain.

In Wales, Airbus remains the country’s second largest private employer, employing over 5,500 people at its Broughton site where its wings are manufactured.

Assessing Airbus’ impact in areas such as jobs, investment, research & development (R&D), supply chain and sovereign capability across the UK, the survey highlights that Airbus remains a key component of the UK’s wider industrial manufacturing capabilities, supporting economic performance.

Oxford Economics was founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University’s business college to provide economic forecasting and modelling to UK companies and financial institutions expanding abroad. 

Commenting on the survey, John Harrison, Airbus General Counsel and UK Chairman, said: “These findings clearly show that Airbus is good for jobs, good for growth, and good for the UK.

“I am proud of the contribution our 11,500 UK employees make to the UK economy - a multi billion pound effort from satellites to civil aerospace that helps connect people all over the world. Our deep roots in the UK supply chain and investment across the four nations create long-term
regional and local growth - ensuring Airbus’ impact is felt at every level.

“But the work does not stop here - our continued investment in R&D, a total of £277m in 2022 alone, is helping to find tangible solutions to the key challenges that affect our world today - from climate change to conflict.”