# Create two defence technical colleges in Scotland

> “In March we announced a £10 million commitment to develop two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland. I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has now agreed to match fund these colleges to give our young people the skills they need to secure high-skilled, well-paid careers in Scotland’s defence sector in the years to come.”
>
> — Douglas Alexander, Scottish Secretary, Labour Party; Press release (Scotland Office), quote from the Scottish Secretary, 16 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Education](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/education)
- **Speaker:** [Douglas Alexander](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/douglas-alexander), Scottish Secretary
- **Party:** [Labour Party](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/labour)
- **Made on:** 16 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Scotland Office), quote from the Scottish Secretary
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Young people in Scotland seeking careers in defence engineering, advanced manufacturing and maritime technology
- **When:** Not stated
- **Paid for by:** £10 million from the UK government, matched by the Scottish Government, within the £50 million Scottish Defence Growth Deal
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/douglas-alexander-welcomes-defence-skills-investment-boost (checked word for word at its source on 18 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 19 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-defence-colleges-scotland-2026

## Where it stands

The UK government first committed £10 million to two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, one in the east and one in the west of Scotland, when the Scottish Secretary launched the £50 million Scottish Defence Growth Deal on 12 March. The offer depended on the Scottish Government matching it, which it has now agreed to do. The release gives no opening date. The card moves when the colleges' sites or opening dates are announced.

## Timeline

- 16 October 2026, Promised: The Scottish Secretary says the Scottish Government will match the UK government's £10 million for two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland

## About the cost

£10 million from the UK government, matched by the Scottish Government. No period is given, so no yearly figure is shown.

## Sources

- [Scotland Office press release, 16 Oct 2026: Douglas Alexander welcomes defence skills investment boost](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/douglas-alexander-welcomes-defence-skills-investment-boost)

## Checks

- Verified by Pavel Guzhikov, checked by AI Journalist; approved on 19 October 2026.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 18 October 2026.

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