The UK government has increased defence spending to support jobs, skills and growth in the country.
Defence is not just about protecting the country, it’s about building its future. Increased investment creates new career paths in local areas, driving growth in towns like yours.
Tomi’s story
Tomi is a software engineer at Thales who grew up in Bathgate and joined the company as an apprentice in his final year of school.
In his role, he combines hands-on technical work with software development. Tomi is passionate about the defence industry’s impact on his local community, particularly its ability to create jobs and opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Through his work at Thales, he feels deeply connected to the local area and takes pride in being part of an industry that allows him to develop professionally while contributing to the community around him.
“I grew up in Bathgate. I heard about this experience in my last year of school. So I applied…,” says Tomi.
“While I’m a software engineer, I still get to do quite a lot of hands-on work. I get to work on the technology side of things, not just the software and the code behind the screen.
“I think proud might even be an understatement. I feel like this is, like, one of the greatest opportunities that I’ll get and will ever get in my career and in my life. It’s continued to improve me and make an actual impact in the world at the same time.
More money in defence means that companies like Thales can continue to create new jobs, continue to bring in apprentices like me.
“And it also means that when we’re in the job it allows us to keep giving back to the community… offering these opportunities to people like me has been one of the best things ever.”
26,100 Jobs Total MOD-Supported Direct Industry, Civilian and Military Jobs in Scotland 2023/24
Partnerships with devolved leaders
The UK government is working with the Scottish government to boost growth in defence-related industries. It will focus on removing barriers and capitalising on opportunities in key defence areas and promising business sectors.
This partnership respects existing devolution rules – defence policy stays a national government responsibility, whilst related areas like skills training remain under local control.
By combining national strategy with local expertise, this approach aims to create optimal conditions for the defence industry to succeed throughout the UK.
High-Growth-Potential Frontier Industry Clusters:
World-renowned shipbuilding, including Type 26 and 31 frigates.
A national leader in satellite manufacture, launch and downstream applications.
One of the UK’s largest Quantum, Photonics and Semiconductor clusters, anchored by key assets including NMIS, Fraunhofer CAP, and the National Robotarium.