Council welcomes Government investment in technical defence college
Telford & Wrekin Council has welcomed Government funding which will see Telford College train the next generation of defence workers as part of a £50 million investment programme.
The Government unveiled five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges this week 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.
The investment will enable the college to expand its provision of education and training relating to defence and adds to the national focus on Telford as a centre for the defence sector.
Telford is already a base for RBSL and Babcock, as well as MOD Donnington, and in May 2025 Rheinmetall, a global leader in defence technology and manufacturing, announced it is establishing a new UK facility in Telford to manufacture gun barrels.
The funding to expand training at the college follows a joint bid between the West Midlands and East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authorities.
Nationally five colleges located in Lincoln, Blackpool, Plymouth, Rotherham and Yeovil will be backed by a total of £50 million in Government investment to become Defence Technical Excellence Colleges and Telford was part of Lincoln’s bid.
These centres will provide training and education in crucial skills needed by the defence sector, for students aged 16 and above, giving young people and adults the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to work well-paid, highly-skilled jobs and careers in the defence sector.
Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council Leader, said:
“We are committed to providing the best opportunities for young people in Telford and Wrekin and we have some of the very best partners who share that ambition.
“That’s why this is fantastic news for Telford and a huge moment for the wonderful Telford College.
“It further cements our town’s status as a key hub for the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) which continues to create hundreds of jobs locally.
“The successful bid follows a collaborative effort to showcase Telford’s strategic advantages, skilled workforce and strong ties to the defence sector.”
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment & Skills, said:
“We are delighted with this Government announcement which will help people develop yet more new skills in Telford at Telford College.
“This investment will give people locally the opportunity to learn technical and niche skills which can lead to full-time careers in the defence sector.
“Telford College is also expanding with the development of a new sixth form centre at Station Quarter so this latest news is a further boost for the College and underlines that Telford is a great place to work and learn.”
Lawrence Wood, Telford College Principal & Chief Executive, 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 and 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 announcement is another major boost for Telford College which is set to open a brand-new sixth form centre, ‘Telford 6th’, at Station Quarter in Telford Town Centre in September.