An estimated one million children and young people have been touched in some way by the VU's educational and academic activities. That level of national involvement ensures that the VU has a voice that gets heard. The Virtual University exists for every employee, influencing the future capability of the company and the decisions made by central government and ultimately ensuring that we are best placed to win future business.

Can the VU help me with education and training?
The VU web site is a gateway to education and learning opportunities. If you have been involved in any of the Developing You schemes, for example, then you have had contact with the VU. It is also the driving force behind leadership training for the senior and management population.

VU uptake within BAE Systems

• In 2004, over 30,000 visitors to VU's Integrated Development Portfolio that contains all training programmes across the company assigned to corporate and Functional Competencies.
  
  
• >45,000 visitors to Vu's Learning Zone (Learning on-line Portal)
  
  
• >19,600 on-line courses undertaken in 2004
  
  
• 323,854 on-line training hours undertaken in 2004
  
  
• 26,335 total registered users of the VU's e-learning services
  
  
• >2000 family learners from home
  
  
• We recruit 300 apprentices every year and have 1100 in total
  
  
• BAE Systems apprentice scheme makes up 5% of UK apprentice total
  
  
• Completion rate for BAE AA is 90% versus a typical rate of 65% for the Engineering sector in general Graduates
  
  
• 150 graduates were recruited in the UK in 2004
  
  
• Over 8,000 graduate applications were received this year
  
  
• VU Works closely with 20 key universities
  
  
• 8,000 engineers in the UK either have or are working on their EDY (Engineering Developing You) profile.
  
  
• Planned to have 12,000 engineers in the UK with a current EDY profile by End 2004
  
  
• In 2003 351 engineers attended Core EDY training course
  
  
• 554 engineers planned to attend Core EDY courses in 2004
  
  
• Over 3,000 Manufacturing/Operations personnel have undertaken MDY (Manufacturing Developing You) )
  
  
• Over 500,000 Leadership training minutes since 2002
  
  
• Over 50 % of the leadership population have attended training
  
  
• 1,500 schools have joined our Schools Network
  
  
• Funded 40 specialist schools 5 of which engineering colleges
  
  
• Partnering with McLaren to develop innovative technological solutions
  
  
• Strategic research and recruitment links with 20 UK universities
  
  
• Developed world class SEIC at Loughborough University
• 400 Ambassadors/Governors active in schools across the UK