Students learning latest digital and cyber defence skills

Homeland January 26, 2026

Transforming defence’s digital capability MOD’s Digital and Information Technologies Strategy

The MOD has achieved a significant milestone in its strategy to fortify the UK’s digital infrastructure, with 500 students now enrolled in the Defence Digital & Cyber Bursary scheme in Lancashire.

This follows the enrolment of a new cohort of 285 students, marking the full realisation of an expansion announced in October 2025 to provide fully funded placements for college-age individuals across the region. The initiative is a key component of the Government’s broader efforts to address the priorities of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), specifically the requirement to protect the UK against escalating cyber threats.

Delivered through a partnership between Digital Skills for Defence (DS4D) and the Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub, the bursary programme is designed to bridge critical skills gaps within the defence workforce. For businesses and contractors operating in the UK defence supply chain, the scheme provides a structured pipeline of talent equipped with modern technical competencies. Students are currently pursuing A-Level and T-Level qualifications in high-demand disciplines, including computer science, cyber security, engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence.

The programme aligns with Recommendation 16 of the Strategic Defence Review, which advocates for the creation of diverse entry routes into defence careers. By providing hands-on exposure to cyber challenges and employability workshops, the scheme prepares participants for transition into established early talent programmes. These include the Defence STEM & Undergraduate Scheme (DSUS), Cyber Direct Entry, and various Technical Defence Graduate and Apprenticeship schemes. Factual data from the programme indicates its immediate impact, with 25% of current participants already applying for advanced Defence STEM programmes.

Minister for People and Veterans, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, and General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of Cyber Specialist & Operations Command, have both emphasised the strategic importance of this regional investment. The focus on the North-West aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where local talent, educational institutions, and national security entities, such as the National Cyber Force and GCHQ, can collaborate effectively.

For industry stakeholders, this initiative represents a significant opportunity to engage with a pre-vetted, technically proficient workforce. As these students progress into the professional sphere, they will support the delivery of the MOD’s ‘Digital Backbone,’ ensuring that both the military and its commercial partners possess the specialist capability required to navigate the complexities of modern digital warfare. This sustained investment in regional skills is expected to drive both national security objectives and regional economic prosperity through the development of high-value technical roles.

If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here