Scottish Government pledges £10 million for two specialist defence colleges

The Scottish Government has confirmed £10 million of funding – allowing two new specialist defence colleges to be established north of the border.

Innovation minister Alyn Smith said that Holyrood ministers would “partner with the UK Government” on the project.

The announcement comes after UK defence readiness minister Luke Pollard told MPs earlier this year that the cash from the Scottish Government was needed for there to be two defence technical excellence colleges (DTECs) in Scotland.

Speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee back in June, Mr Pollard was clear that Ministry of Defence (MoD) funding alone could only pay for one.

Mr Smith, together with the Scottish Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn has now written to Mr Pollard, confirming the Scottish Government will provide the funding.

Plans are now under way for one of the colleges to be established in the east of Scotland, with the other in the west.

Students at both will be able to develop the skills needed to find “well-paid careers in areas such as defence engineering, advanced manufacturing and maritime technology”.

Mr Smith stressed that that Scotland was “well placed to seize the opportunities arising out of the defence industry”, adding that the DTECs would “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.”

Mr Smith said confirmation of the funding came after First Minister John Swinney’s programme for government pledged to “maximise the economic opportunities arising from increased defence spending”.

He stated: “We will work with partners to ensure our workers are equipped with the right skills for emerging jobs in this vital sector.”

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UK Government announced a £10 million commitment to develop two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland in March.

“I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has now agreed to match fund these colleges to give our young people the skills they need to secure high-skilled, well-paid careers in Scotland’s defence sector in the years to come,” Mr Alexander said.

“Scotland is a defence industrial powerhouse and is already benefiting from increased UK Government investment as we deliver a defence dividend for Scotland, creating new skilled jobs, new training places and new opportunities for communities while keeping us and our allies secure.

“It is crucial that we continue to develop the skilled workforce needed to support this growing sector.”