Defence firms stop attending university career fairs due to security fears over protesters
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Defence companies are being forced to skip university careers fairs across Britain due to security concerns over protesters, with tensions escalating since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war.
Industry insiders report that firms manufacturing equipment for the Ministry of Defence have been effectively excluded from campus events at some universities, while others have had to cancel appearances themselves.
Staff members, including young STEM ambassadors, have faced intimidation and harassment from protesters during campus visits, raising concerns about recruitment in vital defence industries.
The situation has prompted fears about potential risks to national security amid growing skills shortages in the sector.
Staff members, including young STEM ambassadors, have faced intimidation and harassment from protesters
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According to Kevin Craven, chief executive of the ADS group representing defence and aerospace companies, around 20 defence firms have either been advised against attending university events or decided to cancel them due to safety concerns.
Those companies that did attend faced intimidation and harassment, according to Craven.
The hostility has intensified since October 2023 when the Israel-Gaza war began, industry sources report.
Companies have been forced to invest tens of thousands of pounds to protect their staff.z
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"Activism against defence organisations has always been present, but the level of destruction we're now seeing is concerning - primarily for our people," one industry source said.
The Ministry of Defence has compiled a list of a dozen universities where major defence companies have had events cancelled due to security concerns.
These include the University of Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Cardiff and Warwick.
At Cardiff University in February last year, BAE Systems representatives were forced to move a careers forum for engineering students online following student protests.
The university's careers advice service, Student Futures, said the change was made "to enable a more focused discussion on the opportunities available."
One industry source said some universities had become "quite literally a hostile environment."
The recruitment challenges are affecting the defence sector at a critical time, with companies unable to fill 10,000 job positions annually for the past three years.
Kevin Craven of ADS said the university protests were "unhelpful" against the backdrop of a skills shortage and increasing threats.
The industry currently employs 164,000 people directly, according to ADS figures.
"This has the result of denying young people access to potential jobs and denying our defence industrial base access to skills and talent," a second industry source warned.
Pro-Palestinian groups have staged protests at defence factories, urging companies to end ties with Israel and cease weapons trading.
Leonardo UK has been forced to install razor wire around its Edinburgh offices after windows were smashed and cables cut.
While BAE Systems does not supply weapons directly to Israel, it produces components for F-35 fighter jets sold to Israel by the US.
Leonardo similarly exports F-35 components to the US, including targeting lasers produced in the UK, though it's unclear if these are used in Israeli F-35s operating in Gaza.
Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, said the company's university engagement had been affected by activist groups.
"When we do try to invest in the universities or hold events for students, we often see a minority of students protesting that they don't want the aerospace and defence industry investing in the university," he said.
While BAE Systems does not supply weapons directly to Israel, it produces components for F-35 fighter jets sold to Israel by the US
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He added that while most students understand the sector's value, they were losing opportunities due to "the vocal and intimidating actions of a small minority."
Universities' self-censoring could become "an issue for our nation's security," he cautioned.
A BAE Systems spokesman emphasised that their graduate and apprentice roles provide "highly valuable careers" which "play an important role in supporting the nation's defence and security."
The company stated it respects "everyone's right to protest peacefully."
An ADS spokeswoman noted that protecting protest rights was "part of the reason our industries exist."
However, she added: "Peaceful protest does not extend to the levels of destruction, property damage and intimidation that we are seeing throughout our industries."
The Ministry of Defence said it continues to "engage widely" with industry partners to highlight the benefits of defence sector careers.
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