Telford College to train next generation of defence workers
Telford College is to train the next generation of defence workers in the UK as part of a £50 million investment programme announced today.
The Government unveiled five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges today, which will address critical skills gaps in the defence workforce.
Telford College is a delivery partner for the East and West Midlands TEC, as part of a collaborative bid led by Lincoln College. It builds on Telford’s existing defence sector relationships, including a partnership with Babcock International — the defence, aerospace and engineering company with a base at MoD Donnington.
The partnership already gives T-Level and light vehicle maintenance engineering students the chance to gain hands-on experience in a modern hi-tech engineering environment, working alongside trained Babcock mentors on pathways to long-term employment.
Principal & CEO Lawrence Wood said: "I am delighted that Telford College can play our part in supporting the defence industry at this critical time.
"Being part of our wider region's Defence Technical Excellence College will ensure that we can support Telford & Wrekin's defence industry employers in a coordinated way, ensuring they have access to more people with the high-quality skills they need.
"The college aims to make further investment in our engineering facilities to support this excellent initiative."
The five Defence TECs will focus on high-priority technical skills including engineering, cyber security, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing — areas identified by the Ministry of Defence as essential to the UK's ambition to become a defence industrial superpower by 2035.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said the defence sector was an engine for growth in the UK.
"We are backing young people across England today with a £50m investment in Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, and meeting the promises made in the Defence Industrial Strategy. This is the Labour Government delivering for the country and delivering for defence”.
Shaun Davies, MP for Telford, added: “This announcement is nothing short of transformational. It’s transformational for Telford College; it’s transformational for our town; and it’s transformational for all of the young people who will benefit from world-class education and training in a sector that is the backbone of our local economy.
"It’s vital that we in Telford nurture the next generation of skilled defence workers, who will keep us safe and drive growth and economy for decades to come.”
To support its growing role in defence and engineering education, Telford College is investing in its Wellington campus — relocating its A Level provision to the new Telford 6th to free up space for expanded high-tech technical training.
As a delivery partner for the new Defence TEC, Telford College will work alongside employers, strategic authorities and local government to strengthen regional skills pipelines.
The Defence TEC programme follows ten construction TECs confirmed in August 2025, each receiving a share of £80 million in capital and £20 million in revenue funding over four years. Defence secretary John Healey described the wider strategy as "the biggest defence skills plan in decades", while education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the new centres would "break down barriers to opportunity for people in every corner of our country."
