MoD defence skills boost for Lancashire college

Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has been selected by the Ministry of Defence as one of just five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (TEC) as part of a major national investment in skills.

The announcement follows a visit to Bispham campus by Luke Pollard, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, who met learners, apprentices, employees and partners to confirm the designation.

This new status is part of a £175 million Government programme to strengthen skills provision in key growth sectors, including defence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and technologies.

Nationally, it is estimated that up to 600,000 additional workers will be needed in priority industries by 2030, and as a Defence TEC, B&FC will play a central role in supporting the development of the high-level technical skills needed to meet growing workforce demand in the sector.

The college will work with employers and partners across the defence sector to support learners into skilled roles in areas such as engineering, nuclear and cyber security, contributing to regional economic growth and strengthening national capability.

The successful bid was developed with and endorsed by a wider network of colleges, universities, industry and public sector partners including the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster, Lancaster University, University of Central Lancashire, the Lancashire Skills Hub, Wirral Met College, the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology, the Cumbria Combined Authority, Blackpool Council, Furness College, Team Barrow and others.

Alun Francis, chief executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “We are proud to be designated as a Defence Technical Excellence College for the North West.”

“This represents a significant opportunity to contribute to national security while also supporting our learners across further and higher education, alongside employers and the wider defence supply chain.

“Given the growing importance of the defence sector, it is vital that we continue to strengthen skills pipelines in key areas such as engineering, nuclear and cyber security.

“Defence also drives innovation and we are excited to be working with an expanded network of partners to enhance provision, support workforce development and contribute further towards both regional economic growth and national capability.” 

The £175m investment announced today will support high-quality teaching, improved courses and access to specialist equipment across 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges.

The programme will provide high-quality training for around 65,000 learners across sectors critical to the UK’s future economy.

The programme also aims to widen access to high-level technical education, supporting more young people to progress into advanced learning and skilled careers in their local area, while strengthening the role of technical routes alongside traditional academic pathways.

Delivery is expected to begin this month with colleges acting as hubs of excellence and working in strong partnerships to raise standards across the sector.

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, which endorsed the bid, said: “This is a major investment in Blackpool and the Fylde coast’s skills base. It aligns with our ambition for Blackpool to be a place where young people can train for quality jobs and build successful futures locally.”

“That vision will be supported by our commitment to creating high-quality employment opportunities, including through developments such as Silicon Sands, alongside investment in world-class education facilities like the Multiversity.

“This announcement supports our ambition for Blackpool to be a place where people can see clear opportunities for their future.”