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College to become specialist centre for defence

Wendy MiddletonYorkshire
News imageRNN Group Against a cloudy sky, there's a tall grey block building. Windows run along two sides. At the corner between the two sides, a taller dark grey block has the words Rotherham College on it, in large white letters. There are trees in leaf at the far left and right of the picture and in the middle, which reaches up to just below the name of the collegeRNN Group
Rotherham College will provide training in skills for jobs in the defence sector

A South Yorkshire college has been awarded a slice of £175m of government funding to become a specialist Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC).

Rotherham College, which is run by RNN Group, will deliver the initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education.

A government spokesperson said the new college would "equip young people with the high-level technical skills needed to access well-paid, high-skilled jobs, giving them a clear route from education into work".

Jason Austin, CEO & Principal for the RNN Group, said it was a "significant moment" for the group, adding that "securing this bid demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UK's defence Industrial Strategy through the provision of high-quality technical education".

Rotherham College is one of 19 colleges across England to receive funding, five of which will specialise in defence.

The other 14 colleges will specialise in clean energy, digital and technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

Daniel Stanbra, Vice Principal for Adult Education, Commercial and Partnership Strategy with the RNN Group said they were proud to have been chosen:

"We were competing on a national level with FE colleges from across the UK.

"There's some real stiff competition from areas with significant defence affiliation historically," he said.

He added that the DTEC would work with key employers regionally and nationally to see students progress into advanced manufacturing and defence roles .

News imageRNN Group A young man dressed in dark overalls, thick brown gloves and a protective mask stands at a work counter in a corner of a room with black walls. He is welding some metal and sparks can be seen. To his right there is a large black piece of equipment with a tube connected to the welding tool.RNN Group
The RNN Group provides courses for 11,000 learners annually

Welcoming the investment, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said: "Rotherham has a proud history of innovation in the defence industry, from the Walker Cannon to the Bailey Bridge, and I am pleased that the new centre will continue that long tradition."

The announcement follows the first wave of Tecs in August last year that were set up to focus on the construction industry.

The latest investment is made up of £97m from the Department for Education, £50m from the Ministry of Defence and £28m from the Department for Business and Trade.

Further details on the allocation of funding between the colleges selected is expected to be announced in May 2026.

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