THE UK workforce currently has a shortage of people with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills and demand for STEM graduates is fierce.

In an ever-increasingly technological world, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) need to ensure that they are able to meet the demanding technical requirements of the armed forces.

The Defence Technical Officer and Engineer Entry Scheme offers 16 year-olds a career pathway that will eventually lead to an engineering or technical career within one of the armed forces or as a civilian within the MoD. The scheme consists of studying technical A-Level subjects at Welbeck The Defence Sixth Form College and then moving on to one of 11 partner universities to study a technical or engineering degree with an annual bursary of £4000. After graduating students will start Initial Officer Training with their chosen armed service or begin the MoD graduate scheme as a civil servant.

Starting salaries in training are circa £25K and rise to £30K on completion of training. Individuals are expected to return a minimum of three years of service after training.

Welbeck - The Defence Sixth Form College has been purpose built with the facilities, curriculum and staff to fully support students aiming to gain a place on engineering and technical degree courses. By their very nature, STEM A-Level subjects such as physics, biology, chemistry, design engineering, computing and maths help students to develop transferable skills which will support them in their future studies and careers.

These skill include:

• Mathematical skills for calculations and measurements

• Critical thinking skills - breaking down complex ideas into smaller parts

• Recognising the relationship between cause and effect and defend a position based on facts not opinion

• Analytical skills – determining good reliable sources of information, conduct research and predict and drawing conclusions

• Problem-solving skills - identify and troubleshoot the source of a problem and developing solutions

• Accuracy and attention to detail, recording data accurately and writing and following instructions

• Reading and understanding technical materials

• Become familiar with the use and repair of equipment and software

• The ability to think outside the box by developing new ideas and ways of approaching a problem

• Organisational skills to keep track of data, develop project plans, and manage time

• Communication and teamwork skills.

The co-curricular activities on offer at Welbeck work to support, nurture and reinforce these skills in practice through a programme of personal development and leadership training. We aim to create an environment in which students are able to be challenged and develop as individuals by becoming the best possible version of themselves.

Situated in the Leicestershire countryside, the College is a full boarding co-educational Sixth Form.

Students are required to achieve 'A' and 'B' grades in Maths and Physics and a 'C' in English at GCSE in order to apply. They will also need to pass the selection process for their chosen service before being offered a place at the College.

To find out more or to apply to come to an open day, please click here.

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