£6m grant for Exeter Uni to take on ‘defence’ students
It is part of a £21.6million total investment across the South West.
Exeter University has been handed more than £6million in government money to take in more students and help defend the nation.
The government says its grants will help students gain the skills needed to protect the UK, and Exeter is among 24 universities and colleges to get a share of £80million to increase student places and improve facilities for defence-related courses.
Exeter’s Labour MP Steve Race said: “The defence sector doesn’t just keep British people safe, it also drives growth and unlocks opportunities for young people to learn skills and pursue a brilliant career.”
The grants will help thousands of young people get the skills needed for a career in the defence sector, and are focused on engineering and computer science, including cyber security, robotics, autonomous technology, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.
In Exeter, the funded project will expand computing and engineering provision, working with industry to deliver hands-on experience for more students. It will also be invested in facilities such as laboratories and engineering spaces for robotics and autonomous systems.
Labour says it has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, to combat increasing global threats to the UK.
Mr Race went on: “I am proud that this government has pledged to back British businesses, jobs, and innovation, so that defence investment delivers jobs and training in our communities.
“This Labour government is putting skills at the centre of our plan to make the country safer and boost jobs across the UK. This latest funding comes hot on the heels of support for new construction industry placements at Exeter College, making sure our young people get the education they need to succeed in a fulfilling, sustainable career that meets the country’s needs.”