What It Takes to Work in Highly Controlled BAE Systems and MOD

How demanding nuclear and defence environments raise standards far beyond a single event

The challenge

For approaching 24 years, Comtec has supported projects connected with BAE Systems and MOD environments across air and maritime programmes. These are not conventional event environments. Security, safety, quality, documentation, working procedures and site-specific operational protocols are fundamental to being permitted to work.

The preparation

Developing the required Nuclear Proficient documentation and working procedures took approximately 18 months. Personnel working in these environments require the appropriate security clearance and must undertake BAE’s own training and assessment requirements. Existing national qualifications in areas such as mechanical handling, electrical and mechanical installation or high-level rigging do not replace the client’s own site standards and protocols.

The impact on Comtec

At first, the additional procedures and training represented a significant mountain to climb. Over time, however, those requirements became part of the way Comtec thinks about preparation, accountability, risk, documentation and delivery.

The same engineers and production personnel take that discipline into conferences, awards, launches and other live environments. The benefit therefore extends far beyond the controlled sites themselves.

The result

Long-term work in demanding environments has strengthened Comtec’s culture of pre-production, safety, quality control, documentation and accountability. It is experience that cannot be created simply by owning equipment. It comes from repeatedly working to standards where detail matters.

Comtec principle

Sometimes raising your standards is what happens when a client refuses to let you lower them.