The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing skills shortages and expanding apprenticeships across the defence sector, as part of the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.
In response to two written parliamentary questions from Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (Labour, Slough), Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle outlined the Ministry’s close collaboration with both industry and other government departments to ensure a skilled workforce underpins UK defence capability.
Asked what discussions the Ministry has had with defence manufacturers on skill levels, Eagle replied:
“The Ministry of Defence is working closely with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector and this is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.”
She added that engagement continues through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council, which will play a central role in workforce development planning.
“We will continue working with industry, including through the newly established Defence Industrial Joint Council, to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires now and into the future.”
Responding to a separate question on apprenticeships, Eagle noted that the Ministry of Defence is already one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, with over 25,000 apprenticeships across the Armed Forces and Civil Service recorded in 2024.
“The MOD is working closely with the Department for Education and with the defence industry to ensure we have the skilled workforce we require across the defence sector. This is an important focus in the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy,” she added.
The emphasis on skills, training and apprenticeships comes amid growing concern over workforce capacity in the defence sector, particularly in light of new demands placed by the Strategic Defence Review and increased defence spending targets.
The government is making a really determined effort to feed the public carrots in regards to defence spending.. it’s why I think we will see 3% this decade and the NATO 3.5% +1.5% in the 2030s..the government is trying really really hard to sell the benefits of guns and bombs.. that’s not normal HMG behaviour and is purposeful. Because they know the defence spending they need to get to is a vote losing proposition with the public as views stand at present..
Defence spending isn’t a vote loser, it’s where cuts will fall to pay for it that some will moan about.
It really is, most people have zero interest in spending an extra 20 billion on defence..
Apprenticeships have the added advantage of keeping good young kids from going to a university to be indoctrinated into Hamas supporting radicals.