Strategy aims to boost jobs and security
The Government has unveiled a landmark Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) designed to place skills and jobs at the heart of the UK’s defence sector, in what ministers describe as the biggest defence skills plan in decades.
The strategy will include the creation of five new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) and a £182 million investment in training programmes to build a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
The move follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to BAE Systems in Scotstoun, where he celebrated a £10 billion deal with Norway for Type 26 frigates, supporting 4,000 British jobs. The Government says such deals demonstrate its commitment to backing domestic industry on the global stage while preparing the UK for emerging threats.
Training the next generation
The new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will open in 2026, with applications set to go live later this year. They will focus on equipping young people, veterans, and mid-career professionals with the technical skills needed across the defence sector – from submarine engineers and welders to cyber warfare specialists.
Alongside the colleges, thousands of short courses will be funded to allow employers to quickly upskill staff, while £80 million will be channelled into universities to expand places in engineering and computer science. A new Defence Universities Alliance will also be established to encourage research and career pathways in the sector.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the strategy as a step-change for opportunities: “This investment and our new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will break down barriers for people in every corner of our country, driving growth and putting the UK at the cutting edge of innovation.”
Innovation lessons from Ukraine
The Defence Industrial Strategy is also shaped by lessons from Ukraine, where rapid innovation has been critical in modern conflict. Ministers argue that integrating research, skills, and industrial capacity will ensure Britain remains a leader in NATO, with the aim of defence spending reaching 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and 3% in the next Parliament.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the package would strengthen both national security and economic growth: “Our Defence Industrial Strategy puts skills at the heart of plans to make the country safer and boost jobs across the UK. This is about creating well-paid, high-skilled roles for generations to come.”
Supporting careers across the sector
To improve career mobility, a new apprenticeship and graduate clearing system will launch in 2026. The Government is also exploring a Defence Skills Passport, designed to help mid-career professionals transfer more easily between the Armed Forces, industry, and related sectors.
Meanwhile, a Destination Defence campaign will promote the breadth of opportunities across the sector, and regional STEM programmes will engage thousands of school-age students in the next four years.
An engine for growth
Ministers insist the strategy will not only secure the UK against future threats but also embed defence as an engine of economic renewal. By investing in people, skills, and technology, the Government says the sector can deliver long-term security, prosperity, and global influence.
At its core, the plan links national defence to national renewal – placing British workers at the forefront of both security and industrial innovation.
