MP hails 'transformational' funding for Shropshire college to deliver defence education and training

An MP has hailed government funding to help a county college deliver defence education and training as transformational - for the college and the town.

Shaun Davies, Labour MP for Telford, said the government investment will enable Telford College to expand its provision of education and training related to defence.

Telford College will be a delivery partner for the East and West Midlands TEC, as part of a collaborative bid led by Lincoln College.

• Sign up today to get all the latest news headlines from Shropshire and Mid Wales delivered straight to your inbox with the Shropshire Star’s free newsletter

It comes as Telford has been an increasing focus for the defence industry. Last May Rheinmetall confirmed it was starting the manufacture of gun barrels at a Telford site, with the town already home to RBSL and Babcock, as well as MOD Donnington.

The funding to expand training at the college is the result of a joint bid between the West Midlands and East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authorities – supported by the MP - with the East Midlands’ College in Lincoln and the West Midlands’ in Telford.

Defence Technical Excellence Colleges will be existing further education colleges, recognised for providing ‘technical excellence’ and high-quality defence-focused education.

They will provide training and education in crucial skills required by the defence sector, for students aged 16+, 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.

Mr Davies said the six colleges nationwide – in Telford, Lincoln, Blackpool, Plymouth, Rotherham and Yeovil – will be backed by £50m in Government investment.

Technical Excellence Colleges have been a key of the Government’s plans to deliver skills and opportunities for young people.

Ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges were confirmed in August 2025, with each one to receive tens of millions of pounds in both capital and revenue investment over the next four years.

Mr Davies said he will shortly be hosting representatives from Telford College for a roundtable, and is working to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the college and the wider sector.

He said: “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 save and drive growth and economy for decades to come.”

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “Labour is making Defence an engine for growth, and critical to that is ensuring we have a pipeline of skilled workers for the good, unionised jobs in the sector.

“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.”