BAE Systems is to update its online recruitment function in order to recruit 300 graduates and 300 apprentices in 2009.

The global defence and aerospace firm will be working with Alexander Mann Solutions (AMS) to fill all the permanent vacancies (except graduates) and will provide an onsite team to help with resourcing.

Following a nine-month review of the recruitment process at BAE, the firm has introduced greater use of internet technology and ‘candidate mining' techniques that involve specialist recruitment organisations proactively using non-recruitment related data sources to search for potential candidates.

Alistair Imrie, group director of HR at BAE, said: "As the company grows across all its businesses, it's vital we increase our focus on specialist recruitment."