On 14 April 2026, the government announced the creation of 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country, including five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, a policy outcome long advocated for by ADS.
Backed by £175 million of government funding, these Technical Excellence Colleges will deliver high-quality training our sectors crucially rely on.
Paul Oxley, Director General – ADS Skills said:
“ADS Skills welcomes the announcement of the 19 confirmed Technical Excellence Colleges, including five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, which are crucial to equipping young people with the technical skills our aerospace and defence sectors need. We look forward to working with them to ensure these new education hubs build a strong, diverse skills pipeline for primes, SMEs and the wider supply chain.
It is equally important that this programme strengthens the wider college network, so that learners and employers in every nation and region can access excellent advanced technical training, wherever they are based.”
