Raytheon UK launches RISE Academy

Raytheon UK has launched the RISE Academy, a comprehensive training programme for systems and software engineers that are passionate about topics like active cyber defence, big data management, machine learning, vulnerability research and cybersecurity. 

The RISE Academy offers four months of cyber training to 15 engineers at the start of their career. Based in Gloucester and Manchester, the cohort will receive bespoke training and a job at Raytheon UK on a customer project team after completing the course.

“Simply put this is a win-win situation,” said Matthew George, head of Engineering, Cyber, Space & Training at Raytheon UK. “On the one hand you have our recruits who will receive exceptional training, top tier support and a job in an industry-leading business. For Raytheon UK, we are ensuring a reliable supply of top British talent that will fuel our long-term success.”

“Our RISE Academy will prioritise championing diversity and inclusion as the only shared characteristic our team needs is passion.”
- Matthew George, head of Engineering, Cyber, Space & Training

As the world, and the UK in particular, continues to contend with a STEM skills shortage, it is becoming more essential than ever to develop long-term strategic solutions. The opening of the academy is being implemented in conjunction with a wide-ranging campaign aimed at increasing the UK’s STEM capabilities. Raytheon UK’s partnerships with Cyberfirst schools, academic institutions and groups promoting diversity within STEM all have the same underlying objective of making software engineering a broader and more inclusive family.

“We are determined to break down barriers and challenge the notion that STEM isn’t for everyone,” George added. “Our RISE Academy will prioritise championing diversity and inclusion as the only shared characteristic our team needs is passion”.

The academy’s development program will first focus the engineers on fundamental topics and qualifications such as Amazon Web Service Cloud Practitioner. Following this, recruits will be able to select more specialised and in-depth training in areas such as software development, systems engineering and test automation.

“Whilst training offers great theoretical insight, the practical skills our teams learn on these projects are invaluable.”
- Lisa Jensen, National Security Cyber account director

“This is a fantastic opportunity to gain the best possible skills for starting a career in computer science,” said Lisa Jensen, National Security Cyber account director at Raytheon UK. “Whilst we equip our recruits with essential foundational skills, it is the depth and range of training on offer that will allow them to follow their true interests and reach their full potential.”

Following the formal training recruits will transition to a mentored role in a customer or internal project at Raytheon UK. Here, they will be supported by cyber specialists as they join a team of leading developers, testers and analysts to design, develop and maintain critical cyber applications and systems.

“Our recruits will be placed on very real, very important projects,” Jensen added. “Whilst training offers great theoretical insight, the practical skills our teams learn on these projects are invaluable. We’re fortunate to work on a range of government, military and commercial projects and as such our recruits will be able to pursue their core interests.”