Navantia UK welcomes 10 new apprentices as investment strengthens Arnish’s specialist fabrication capability
The new starters join a yard with more than 50 years of experience in complex steel fabrication. Today, Arnish specialises in work for the energy sector, including subsea structures, offshore foundations and renewables components, and is developing its role in UK supply chains supporting the energy transition.
The 10 apprentices form part of Navantia UK’s wider apprenticeship programme across its four UK yards in Arnish, Appledore, Belfast and Methil. The programme is helping develop the skilled workforce needed to support the company’s growing portfolio across fabrication, energy, defence and shipbuilding, while creating long-term career opportunities in the communities around its sites.
At Arnish, apprentices are being trained in disciplines including welding, fabrication, pipe fitting, project planning and technical support, with future pathways also expected to expand into areas such as HR, finance and procurement.
Since coming under Navantia UK ownership in January 2025, Arnish has benefited from targeted investment in its facilities and workforce. Improvements include new welfare facilities, a dedicated training centre, refurbished cranes, enhanced security and more energy-efficient heating.
The investment forms part of Navantia UK’s wider modernisation programme, worth more than £157 million across its four UK yards.
Arnish’s location on Scotland’s west coast, combined with its heavy steel fabrication expertise, positions the yard well to support projects across the Atlantic and North Sea. Its capabilities include technically demanding fabrication packages for offshore energy projects, including selected floating wind and subsea structures.
The yard is also one of 12 businesses selected for the Fit 4 Offshore Renewables programme, supporting its development as a key supplier to the offshore wind sector and strengthening opportunities for greater UK content in future energy projects.
For Navantia UK, the new apprentices represent a long-term investment in both the yard and the Western Isles, helping retain specialist industrial skills locally and create high-quality careers for a new generation.
Secretary of State for Scotland the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP said:
“The UK Government moved quickly to help secure the future of the Arnish and Methil yards and is continuing to deliver a defence dividend for Scotland. This latest milestone shows Navantia UK in Scotland going from strength to strength, with a growing workforce, investment in skills, and making an important contribution to the UK’s energy and defence industrial capability.
“This is a significant opportunity for the young people starting their careers at Arnish. They are entering skilled, secure jobs at a yard with a strong future, helping build the workforce and industrial capability needed to support defence and wider national resilience in the years ahead.”
Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education Alyn Smith MSP said:
“Apprenticeships offer young people a genuine route into skilled, well-paid careers, and these 10 new starts at Arnish are a great example of that opportunity in action. They’ll gain hands-on experience in disciplines like welding, fabrication and pipe fitting, learning from a workforce with decades of specialist expertise, while helping to secure the industrial skills base the Western Isles will need for years to come.
“The Scottish Government provides around £198 million a year to support around 25,500 modern apprenticeships, alongside 5,000 foundation apprenticeships and 1,500 graduate apprenticeships, and we remain committed to expanding that offer. I want to congratulate everyone starting their apprenticeship at Arnish, and I look forward to seeing what they achieve.”
Albert Allan, General Manager, Navantia UK Arnish, said:
“Arnish has specialist skills and capabilities that have been built up over decades, and these apprentices will help ensure we retain and develop them for the future.
“Our investment is creating opportunities for young people in the Western Isles to build skilled, long-term careers without having to leave the islands. At the same time, we are strengthening Arnish’s ability to support major energy and industrial projects across the UK.”
