The University of Staffordshire and Omnia Training, a Raytheon UK-led consortium transforming training for the British Army, have announced a new partnership that will deliver a series of digital technology apprenticeships.
The collaboration forms part of Omnia Training’s delivery of the British Army’s £2 billion Army Collective Training System (ACTS) programme, which will transform how soldiers train through the use of AI, advanced analytics and simulation environments.
Professor Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Staffordshire, said: “Staffordshire has built deep expertise in digital and AI disciplines, and this partnership puts that expertise directly to work developing the next generation of talent for the defence sector.
“Since 2004, we've been an approved provider of degree programmes to the Ministry of Defence, with nearly 2,000 Armed Forces students studying with us each year across disciplines like Aviation, Engineering, Intelligence and IT. This year also marks our tenth anniversary as a higher and degree apprenticeship provider, one of the largest in the UK, with our provision recently rated 'strong' by Ofsted. We're proud to bring that same standard of quality to this partnership with Omnia Training and Raytheon UK."
As part of the partnership, University of Staffordshire will deliver 100 specialist Level 6 Digital Technology Solutions apprenticeships, providing learners with the advanced digital skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving sector. To ensure access to these higher-level opportunities, Omnia Training will fully fund travel and accommodation costs for apprentices attending the University’s Stoke-on-Trent campus.
“Developing the skills needed for the future is central to the success of this programme,” said James Gray, managing director and chief executive of Raytheon UK.
“Through our partnership with University of Staffordshire, we are creating opportunities for apprentices to gain specialist expertise and build rewarding careers in advanced digital and defence technologies.”
University of Staffordshire is one of the UK’s top five largest higher and degree apprenticeship providers and has spent a decade building its public sector workforce development capability, including a longstanding relationship with the Ministry of Defence, whose Level 6 Leadership & Management apprenticeship contract was recently recommissioned for a further six years.
This new digital apprenticeship partnership extends that track record into advanced technology disciplines, reinforcing the University’s role as a trusted training partner for the defence sector.
The new initiative will help equip individuals with the expertise needed for high-growth sectors, while contributing to regional economic development and supporting the UK’s future workforce requirements.
The partnership builds on an already successful relationship between Raytheon UK and the University of Staffordshire. Currently, eight Raytheon apprentices are undertaking the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) Degree Apprenticeship with the University, while a further seven apprentices recently successfully graduated from the programme. Their progression highlights the impact of degree apprenticeships in developing highly skilled digital professionals and demonstrates the strength of the talent pipeline supporting the UK's growing defence and technology sectors.