Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether he plans to create new roles within the armed forces that will specifically require an undergraduate drone degree.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether an undergraduate drone degree will guarantee employment in the armed forces.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether his Department has a target for the number of students per cohort that will remain in the armed forces following the conclusion of the undergraduate drone degree.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, what is his target number of (a) civilian and (b) soldiers on the undergraduate drone degree in each remaining year of the current Parliament.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether a drone technology specialist will be a recognised position in the British armed forces.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, what steps his Department is taking to encourage applications to the undergraduate drone degree.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, from which service will the up to five soldiers enrolled on the undergraduate drone degree come.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether he plans to increase participation in the undergraduate drone degree beyond 20 personnel.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: James Cartlidge (Conservative - South Suffolk)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cutting-edge drone degree to train military forces of the future unveiled, published on 21 January, whether there are any specific roles within the armed forces that require an undergraduate drone degree.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is a pilot project that is seeking to fuse civilian and military experience to enhance our collective expertise in uncrewed systems. It is offering twenty places for their new undergraduate drone degree, with 15 places allocated to civilian students and five military personnel, specifically from the Army. The Army will promote the undergraduate drone degree through its routine internal communication channels, while NMITE will lead its own civilian recruitment activity Military personnel who are sponsored by Defence to undertake undergraduate level learning are usually expected to continue serving for the duration of their commitment, so there are no retention specific targets connected to this degree.
All of the career opportunities in the Armed Forces or complimentary organisations will be open to those who complete the NMITE degree. There are also other employment opportunities in Defence including through civil servant employment.
The programme supports the Army’s broader requirement to upskill its workforce in robotics and autonomous systems, informed by lessons from Ukraine. Every unit will require both specialist and generalist personnel able to integrate, adapt and sustain rapidly evolving drone systems. Work is already under way to formalise the role of drone technology specialists across the Army, and the other Services, building on the existing expertise within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group.
The Army is also reviewing its force structure to ensure it has the right balance of personnel with the technical skills needed to operate effectively in an environment where drones play an increasingly central role. This may include the creation of new roles where such specialist skills are essential.
NMITE intends to expand overall student numbers from the second year. The Army plans to continue sponsoring five personnel on the full three-year programme in each remaining year of the current Parliament, while also increasing participation through shorter modular elements.
In the longer term, there is a vision to replicate this model in additional UK locations where there is a strong cluster of military, academia, and the drone industry.
Asked by: Baroness Caine of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government which of the priority growth sectors in the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 they have agreed sector skills plans with; and how much public investment has been committed to each priority growth sector over what period of time.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are developing, with industry, sector Jobs Plans for all growth-driving sectors identified by the Industrial Strategy, as well as construction. These plans will build on the Industrial Strategy Sector Plans and provide a clear direction of travel for government and industry to develop the domestic workforce together. The first of these plans to be published was the Clean Energy Jobs plan.
Firms in the eight Industrial Strategy sectors receive a wide range of investment, including via a range of sector-targeted programmes and the Public Financial Institutions, such as the British Business Bank (including £4 billion of capital specifically for the Industrial Strategy sectors), UK Export Finance and the National Wealth Fund. They are also supported by wider public investment into other policy interventions, such as skills. As part of the government's investment in skills across this Parliament, in addition to £1.2 billion of additional investment in skills per year by 2028-29, we have committed to sector skills packages including £187 million for digital skills and artificial intelligence learning; £182 million for engineering skills and £182 million to boost the defence talent pipeline.