Young apprentices are at the heart of the latest ship currently being built on the Clyde

HMS Cardiff will follow HMS Glasgow which is currently taking shape in the sheds at BAE’s Govan shipyard.

Workers, including apprentices, at the yard watched as MoD Procurement Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan performed the ceremony.

Two young women have already played a role in creating the warship while they learn their trade on the Clyde as part of the future of Scottish Shipbuilding.

Lauren McNeill and Erin Rennie have been learning their trade in design and engineering as BAE apprentices on the ship project.

READ MORE: 'Remarkable survivor' of Clyde shipbuilding heyday draws tourists

Lauren, 19 from Balloch was part of the cabin team creating accommodation for Royal Navy sailors.

She said: “I was always interested in the Stem subjects at school and applied for the apprenticeship when I was in fifth year.

“I was involved in the design stage and the buying and then the construction of the cabins. It is a mini project within the bigger ship.”

The cabins which are home to nine sailors are now complete and once approved by the Royal Navy will be the model for what will be used throughout the ship for sleeping quarters.

READ MORE: Call for inquiry after Fergusons shipyard bosses confirm administration plan

Lauren added: “It is really good seeing the cabins go from a design on paper to being built.” 

Erin, 20, from the south side of Glasgow, applied from school to join the BAE scheme as an engineering technician apprentice.

She said: “It is a really challenging process. It’s a nine-berth cabin and you need to ensure there’s enough space and try to give enough storage space as well as being comfortable because it is going to be their home for months.”

She said she is looking forward to gaining more qualifications and working as an engineer.
She said Once qualifies there is a chance of going to university to get a degree.”

She added that there were just three out 16 apprentices in her intake who were female.

READ MORE: Clyde shipyards fight on for orders

However, she added: “It has been a good experience. Everyone gets the support of all the staff. There is no special treatment or difference because you are female.”

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MoD Procurement minister met the apprentices and other workers.
After wards she said that more girls should aspire to work in the shipbuilding and engineering industries.

She said: “I’ve met apprentices today, BAE are really great at reaching out to the schools and bringing them in.

“So many things are part of the ships constitution. Every girl out there make sure you do a Maths qualification."