Only one defence college for Scotland without match funding

Only one of the two proposed Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland will go ahead unless the Scottish Government provides match funding, the UK Government has said, in a warning accompanying a report by the Scottish Affairs Committee which finds that progress on the colleges has fallen behind equivalent work in England.

Two colleges are proposed for Scotland under the Defence Growth Deal, which carries £50 million in funding drawn from a £250 million pot for growth deals across the United Kingdom. Part of that money supports two engineering and innovation facilities, with £5 million for the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus at Rosyth and a further £5 million for the Clyde Engineering and Innovation Centre.

The committee’s conclusion states: “Progress establishing DTECs in Scotland has fallen behind those in England. While it is important that both the UK and Scottish Governments are aligned on the establishment of DTECs, intergovernmental cooperation and engagement should not be a cause of delay.”

The colleges have the potential, it adds, “not only to strengthen the defence skills pipeline but also to expand access to highly skilled, well-paid apprenticeship opportunities that support communities and regional economic growth across Scotland”.

The committee wants the Scottish Government to put money alongside Westminster’s, recommending: “The UK Government must work proactively with the Scottish Government to expand apprenticeship provision for the defence industry in Scotland, given the vital role apprenticeships play in developing skilled workers and supporting the UK’s national security. For the same reasons, we hope to see the Scottish Government match the UK Government’s funding for the two proposed DTECs.”

It adds a warning attached to that request, stating that if the Scottish Government does not agree to match funding, “an important opportunity will be lost”.

According to the committee, without matched funding from the Scottish Government the UK Government has said that only one college will proceed.

Patricia Ferguson, chair of the committee, said: “One of the main ways skills training can be expanded is through DTECs, which have the potential to strengthen Scotland’s skills pipeline and expand access to high-quality apprenticeships that can support the UK’s defence ambitions. The committee hopes to see the UK and Scottish Governments work together to deliver both proposed DTECs in Scotland and, more widely, that Scotland can accelerate work to develop the skills base its defence sector needs.”

In its summary the committee says it supports the establishment of both colleges and urges the two governments to work together to deliver them without delay. The report also examines the Defence Universities Alliance, welcoming its creation as a step towards promoting defence careers and building closer ties between academic institutions and the sector, while noting that it is too soon to judge its success.

Recruiting Scottish graduates and keeping that talent in Scotland is described as a clear challenge for the industry and a particularly difficult one for smaller firms.

The committee asks the government to provide a progress update on the alliance by June 2027, including early indicators of its effectiveness in supporting Scottish graduates and institutions, followed by annual reports covering its performance and data on its impact on graduate retention in the Scottish defence sector.

A Scottish Government spokesperson told the UK Defence Journal: “Scotland is well placed to seize the opportunity of increased UK defence spending with a highly skilled workforce, world-class universities and internationally recognised manufacturing. The conflict in Ukraine is a reminder of the increasingly complex and immediate threats we face, underlining the importance of maintaining a strong and resilient defence capability.

“Our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors contribute around £3.7 billion to the economy and support approximately 37,000 jobs. We can maximise the economic benefits of these sectors through a responsible approach while supporting innovation, skills development and building long-term economic resilience.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Economy will meet with representatives from across the sector to discuss how the Defence Industrial Growth Programme can maximise the economic benefits arising from increased UK and allied defence spending, supporting economic growth, high-value jobs and national resilience. Further details of the Programme will be announced in due course.”