Two new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) are set to open in Scotland following the Scottish Government's decision to match fund a £10 million commitment from the UK Government. The colleges will be located in the East and West of Scotland.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander welcomed the Scottish Government's decision, stating that the DTECs will provide young people with skills for high-skilled, well-paid careers in Scotland's defence sector. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, also welcomed the funding match, noting the colleges will offer routes into high-skilled roles crucial for UK safety.
The DTECs are part of a £50 million Scottish Defence Growth Deal, which was launched by the UK Government on 12 March. The colleges aim to provide specialist pathways into careers in defence engineering, advanced manufacturing, and maritime technology.
Industry analysis suggests a potential demand for up to 50,000 additional defence jobs across the UK by 2034/35. Scotland currently benefits from over £2.5 billion annually in Ministry of Defence spending, supporting 12,200 jobs.