College Students Awarded Prestigious Ministry of Defence Scholarship

Dedicated students from Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College have been awarded prestigious Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Digital Skills for Defence Scholarships, placing them at the forefront of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The 25 students, who are studying A Level Computer Science or T Levels in Cyber Security and Digital Production, Design, and Development, were selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on their exceptional commitment to developing digital skills and driving forward creative innovation.

The outstanding achievement was celebrated at a launch event at Ewood Park, Blackburn, where the students had the chance to network with fellow recipients from colleges across Lancashire and connect with industry leaders in cybersecurity.

Each scholarship package includes:

• A £1,500 bursary to support educational expenses.
• A laptop equipped with industry-standard software.
• Access to specialised training delivered by industry-leading employers.
• Mentorship opportunities with professionals working in the field.

Oliver Haworth, one of the scholarship recipients, said:

“The scholarship will give me opportunities that I wouldn’t normally have access to and will really motivate me to push myself. Knowing I’ll be supported and able to gain hands-on experience will help me build confidence and prepare for a future career.”

Saiqa Zulfquar, Head of Digital at Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College, which are part of East Lancashire Learning Group, said:

“This scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain recognition for their hard work and ambition. It provides them with invaluable financial support, industry exposure and practical experience as they prepare for successful careers in cybersecurity and the wider digital sector.”

The Digital Skills for Defence Scholarship was launched by the MOD to cultivate a strong pipeline of cyber talent across the UK, with the North West identified as a key region for digital skills development.

Claire Fry, Director Functional Integration for Defence Digital, said:

“Defence offers some of the most exciting and rewarding digital and cyber careers available anywhere. The bursary scheme gives young people the opportunity to develop specialist skills and explore career pathways across Defence and its partners, while they study, with real routes into roles that truly matter.”

Ranked number one in England for A Level and vocational progression and rated Ofsted Outstanding for 20 years, ELLG is committed to preparing talented students to secure a thriving future in a rapidly growing range of industries and career pathways.

Ready to be the next leader in the digital world? Taking your GCSEs this summer? Apply now for our exciting A Level, T Level and Technical courses starting this September and take the first step towards your extraordinary future via our websites ncc.eastlancslearning.ac.uk or arc.eastlancslearning.ac.uk

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