City College Plymouth is at the forefront of shaping the nation’s defence workforce, equipping thousands of students with the technical skills and knowledge that are vital to national security. For more than 50 years, the College has supported the Royal Navy, the wider defence industry, and supply chains with training, Apprenticeships, and specialist programmes that directly address the needs of this critical sector.
With £4 billion of naval investment planned in Plymouth over the next decade, the city is emerging as a national hub for defence, engineering, and innovation. Today’s launch of the Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, which will establish five new Technical Excellence Colleges, marks an important milestone in the UK’s commitment to strengthening defence skills. City College Plymouth is well placed to be one of these institutions, leading the delivery of the advanced training needed to meet national priorities.
The College is already delivering education in marine autonomy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, nuclear technologies, cyber security, and construction. These programmes are created in close collaboration with industry partners, ensuring students gain the skills and practical knowledge needed to move directly into defence and supply chain roles.
Plymouth’s importance to the nation has been further reinforced by its recognition as the UK’s national centre for marine autonomy. This achievement confirms the city’s position at the forefront of marine and defence innovation. City College Plymouth plays a central role in supplying the skilled workforce needed to drive this sector forward and strengthen its international reputation.
The city’s long history in defence demonstrates the importance of a unified approach across education, industry, and government. Growth Alliance Plymouth (GAP), a collaboration between Plymouth City Council, the Ministry of Defence and Babcock International Group, is aligning infrastructure and skills development to meet the needs of Devonport and beyond. This collaboration is ensuring the city can deliver the highly trained people needed in advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, and wider infrastructure that support the defence sector.
Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth and lead for GAP’s post-16 skills workstream, said: “Plymouth has always been central to the nation’s defence, and City College is proud to be playing a leading role in preparing the workforce of the future. By working closely with our partners, we are ensuring that young people and adults have the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to support national priorities in marine autonomy, advanced manufacturing and engineering, nuclear technologies, cyber security, and construction.
“The Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy presents an exciting opportunity, and we believe Plymouth is ideally placed to host one of the new Technical Excellence Colleges. This will allow us to build on our city’s heritage, respond to the needs of industry, and help safeguard the nation’s security for generations to come.”
The College is also investing in future-focused facilities. The Blue and Green Skills Hub, a landmark project at the Civic Centre developed in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Homes England, will offer up to 60 new courses and support around 2,000 students each year. This state-of-the-art facility will boost the region’s workforce, create new opportunities for individuals, and secure Plymouth’s position as a leader in high-growth sectors.
City College Plymouth has already achieved national recognition, holding the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its leadership in marine and maritime skills and the Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Digital Innovation. The College has also been shortlisted in the Developing Future Talent category at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025, a testament to its role in shaping the workforce that will drive the UK’s industrial and defence future.
As threats evolve and technology advances, the demand for skilled defence professionals continues to grow. City College Plymouth is rising to this challenge by working with industry, investing in innovation, and leading the way in technical education.
