Navantia UK has launched a recruitment drive for its largest shipyard, Harland & Wolff, Belfast Harbour, as it continues to expand the workforce delivering major naval shipbuilding programmes.
The company is recruiting 28 skilled workers in total. This will involve 21 welders, five platers, and two pipefitters to support the delivery of three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to serve Royal Navy operations around the world.
The recruitment campaign forms part of Navantia UK’s long-term plans for its Belfast shipyard, where £98.5 million is being invested in modern facilities, advanced manufacturing technology, and new equipment.
This includes a new mechanised panel line, robotic cutting equipment, and an expanded fabrication hall, helping to transform Harland & Wolff into one of Europe’s leading centres for advanced shipbuilding.
Belfast is the principal delivery yard for the FSS programme. The three 39,000-tonne replenishment and support ships will be the largest vessels delivered from the shipyard in a generation and will provide essential support to the Royal Navy Maritime Carrier Strike Group.
Navantia UK is also planning for continued growth beyond 2027, creating a sustainable pipeline of work and rebuilding the skills and industrial capacity needed to deliver future UK and allied shipbuilding programmes.
As part of these plans, Navantia UK is targeting the growth of its Belfast workforce to 1,500 people. The company is investing significantly in both experienced tradespeople and the next generation of shipbuilding talent.
A further 66 apprentices will join the Belfast shipyard in September, taking the total number of apprentices in training at the site to more than 120. They will begin their careers across a range of disciplines and work alongside experienced colleagues on major live shipbuilding programmes.
