Furness College in Barrow – which could merge with Blackpool and The Fylde College – has been named by the Government as one of five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard met learners, apprentices, employees and partners to confirm the designation when he visited the Bispham campus today.
A public consultation is underway until the end of April into the merger which could take effect on August 1.
Today’s news 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.
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 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.
“We are proud to be designated as a Defence Technical Excellence College for the North West,” Alun Francis, chief executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said.
“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.”
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.
The network of colleges is designed to align with local industry demand, helping to develop a skilled workforce where it is needed most and has been welcomed by Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham.
She said: “This is fantastic achievement for our area, and this announcement is of national and international importance.
“This will provide even more opportunities for local people to access good quality, well-paid jobs in our shipyard and in the wider defence industry. This is good news for the whole of Barrow and Furness but particularly for our young people.”
As a designated DTEC, Furness College will gain access to new, dedicated defence‑focused investment, including national funding streams linked to priority skills, specialist technical equipment, estates development and workforce capacity.
