The Scottish Government has confirmed £10 million of investment to develop two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland, matching UK Government funding.
Plans are under way to identify sites in the east and west of the country. The colleges would support skills development for careers in defence engineering, advanced manufacturing and maritime technology.
A consultation will consider which colleges can achieve Defence Technical Excellence College status and how the plans should be implemented. No individual colleges or locations were named in the announcement.
Innovation Minister Alyn Smith and Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn wrote to UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander on 15 October to confirm the funding commitment.
Smith said: “Scotland is well placed to seize the opportunities arising out of the defence industry – with a highly skilled workforce, world-class colleges and universities and internationally recognised manufacturing. DTECs will allow workers to upskill and connect the next generation to opportunities in sectors where demand for a highly-skilled workforce is rising rapidly.”
He added: “I am pleased to confirm we will partner with the UK Government to develop plans for DTECs in Scotland and build on the £3.7 billion to Scotland’s economy provided by the defence sector.”
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The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government committed it to establishing a responsible defence industrial growth programme aimed at maximising economic opportunities from increased defence spending.
Smith said: “We will work with partners to ensure our workers are equipped with the right skills for emerging jobs in this vital sector.”
