The Air & Space Institute (ASI) welcomed representatives from across the Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) for a day of collaboration, networking and discussion about the future of technical education for the UK’s defence sector.
Earlier this year, Lincoln College was selected as one of only five national hubs for the newly established Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, recognising the College Group’s expertise in delivering high-quality, industry-led training for the defence sector.
The national DTEC programme has been established to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers entering the defence industry, with colleges working alongside partner providers and employers to develop technical education that responds directly to the needs of the sector.
As the Midlands DTEC hub, Lincoln College Group, including Lincoln College and the Air & Space Institute, is working with a growing network of delivery partners across the region. This currently includes Boston College, serving South Lincolnshire; Telford College in the West Midlands; DN Colleges Group, including Doncaster College and North Lindsey College; and Inspire Education Group, which includes Stamford College and Peterborough College. There will be further expansion of the network by working with additional providers across the Midlands and nationally.
Bringing these organisations together enables the hub to build on the different strengths, specialisms and industry connections of each delivery partner. By strengthening the network collectively, the partnership can help address gaps in regional provision, broaden the opportunities available to learners and create stronger links between education and employers across the defence sector.
The gathering at ASI provided an opportunity for colleagues from across the DTEC network to come together, share knowledge and explore what is already working across the country, while identifying new opportunities to strengthen provision and respond to the changing needs of the defence sector.
Mark Locking, CEO and Principal of Lincoln College Group, said: “Becoming a Defence Technical Excellence College gives us a real opportunity to build on the excellent work we have done since 2016 with the Royal Air Force, wider armed forces and defence industry, and establish the Midlands as a strategic partner for the defence sector.
“The DTEC model will create stronger, more joined-up pathways for skills for the next generation in both Further and Higher Education.
“Our ambition is to reignite the Air & Defence College concept for today’s world, bringing together education, industry and the RAF and wider armed forces to ensure young people have the skills, behaviours, experience and opportunities they need to progress into highly skilled careers.”
The sessions highlighted the breadth of expertise across the partnership and the value of bringing providers with different capabilities and employer relationships together. The Midlands hub also provides an opportunity to coordinate investment in new facilities and equipment, enhancing the training offer available across the region.
The ASI is an important part of this work, with the Lincoln College Group already working closely with organisations including the RAF, Babcock and BAE Systems, while delivering specialist training in areas such as aerospace engineering.
The DTECs are intended to act as specialist hubs, working with education providers and employers to align training with regional and national defence skills needs. Through the Midlands hub, this approach will allow delivery partners to complement one another, strengthen industry connections and collectively develop provision where it is most needed.
As the partnership develops, collaboration between colleges, industry and the Armed Forces will be central to creating clear pathways into highly skilled careers and ensuring the UK has the technical workforce it needs to support its future defence capabilities.
