The focus of the Dreadnought Early Careers Network (DECN) is to support the Dreadnought enterprise early careers talent to operate in a 'one team' environment.
Open to anyone in the early careers scheme or within five years of starting in the enterprise, the DECN aims to ensure that all are aligned and empowered, the intention is to ensure all are best placed to deliver on our joint commitment of delivering Dreadnought boat 1 Ready for Operations by December 2030.
The opening of the DECN, took place at Rolls Royce's Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby on Thursday 9 May, 2024. Teams from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and the Submarine Delivery Agency gathered to hear from Programme leads RAdm Donald Doull (Royal Navy), Alex McMillan (Dreadnought Alliance), Steve Timms (BAE Systems) and Steve Carlier (Rolls-Royce) about their careers and the important part that those in their early careers play in this truly incredible national endeavour.
Deema Mozayen, Mechanical Engineer at Rolls-Royce, two-and-a-half months into his job, was one of those attending the launch event. He said: "I am a curious person by nature and am always trying to learn something new. The DECN is a great way to learn about the companies involved in the Alliance, like BAE and its role in building these submarines."
Others in the early stages of their career included Ruby Hill, Project Management Degree Apprentice with BAE Systems. Ruby said: "It's a great opportunity to meet new people and develop knowledge of the business and Alliance structure."
Sameer Ahmed, IT Business Analyst at Rolls-Royce, added: "I think the DECN will be good for cross-collaboration opportunities for future colleagues and an opportunity to network with other early career members from across the Dreadnought Programme."
Emma Whittaker, Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprentice, BAE had travelled with other colleagues for the event. She said: "I've enjoyed the collaboration that this offers, across the Alliance and developing the understanding that, while we're all doing different things, we are all working to the same end goal."
RAdm Donald Doull, the Royal Navy's Senior Responsible Owner for the Dreadnought Programme, said: "There is no greater priority in the submarine enterprise than Dreadnought and the Continuous At Sea Deterrent. Dreadnought is both our key mission at present and our future, and those in the early stages of their career can look forward to exciting opportunities for many years to come. The DECN is an important part of supporting their progress and I am delighted to have been able to be in Derby for the launch of this exciting initiative."
Alex McMillan, Dreadnought Alliance Managing Director, said: "The Dreadnought Alliance lends itself to alignment and bringing partners together in one common mission – Ready for Operations by the early 2030's and a crucial part of that is ensuring that our early careers colleagues are ready to pick up the baton to continue the work we do today."
