Defence Codex - The journal for defence engineering & science

Top of the class

The College of Management and Technology (CMT) is the largest of the three main colleges of the Defence Academy providing high quality education, training and advice in technology, management and leadership, together with relevant aspects of security and resilience to students in defence and the wider security area. CMT Director, Jonathan Lyle tells Codex about their work and its value to defence capability.

Lyle enthuses about the variety and number of courses they offer, ranging from one hour skills modules in areas such as equality and diversity required by anyone employed by the MOD, to two day or one week courses, right through to the deep-end of academia with Masters Degrees and cutting edge defence research.

Another area where he is keen to point out their interest is in their nuclear department which is based at HMS Sultan in Gosport, Hampshire. This provides education and training for service and civilian personnel working in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme (NNPP) and training in radiation protection for all MOD service personnel. "We are the defence educators in nuclear propulsion and support the RN and civilian workforce in sustaining the nuclear submarines programmes," explains Lyle.

The breadth, depth and number of courses on offer are a response to the demands of their defence students and are enabled by their long-term (now in its 25th year) relationship with Cranfield University, a key academic provider to the Academy. Lyle explains that Cranfield are unique as the university only educates students at postgraduate level providing them with professional development which will either enhance an existing career, or help them move on to a new one…

"Most courses here are a joint effort between the military and Cranfield with the Defence Capability Centre, Shrivenham as home," Lyle continues. "Courses are offered to all forces, MOD, Civil Service and an increasing number of foreign students, all of which add to the diversity of the college. Overall, because of the history of Shrivenham there are more Army students in core courses which reflects their long tradition of sending people here, but the other Services are adjusting." "Most courses here are a joint effort between the military and Cranfield with the Defence Capability Centre, Shrivenham as home," Lyle continues." Courses are offered to all forces, MOD, Civil Service and an increasing number of foreign students, all of which add to the diversity of the college. Overall, because of the history of Shrivenham there are more Army students in core courses which reflects their long tradition of sending people here, but the other Services are adjusting."

One intake that Lyle is confident will go on to secure the future of engineers into the Armed Forces is from Welbeck College which has provided the Army with many of its future Technical Officers for over fifty years.

In 2005 MOD invested in a brand new purpose-built Defence Sixth Form College for Welbeck at Woodhouse near Loughborough, Leicestershire. The college is one of the UK's top sixth form colleges and has developed an outstanding academic reputation.

For Lyle this means that after AS and A levels from Welbeck, completion of a technical university degree and with continued military support throughout, they will have the engineers of the future: "We already have around 650 at the end of their training who have the requisite technical education and military background, including leadership qualities and levels of fitness to go on for successful careers in the Army, Royal Navy, RAF and Civil Service. This, I believe, is a wise and strategic investment in our future."

Lyle is aware that the education and training that the DA provides goes beyond the classroom and the laboratories of the campus and has a real and tangible impact on current operations: "This is a vital part of what we do and is visible in courses such as the Ammunition Technical Officers Course. So, it is very sobering to hear that people we have trained have tragically been killed or injured dealing with IEDs in theatre."

But, he is keen that the Defence Academy should also be known for the whole range of courses they offer: "Our skills training and education are not just for operations but the whole business of the MOD. We support our military and civilian colleagues in all aspects of their work – including Head Office, Abbey Wood and beyond."

The relationship with Cranfield means the DA benefits from their strong research pedigree and Lyle is committed to this area of their work: "It is not possible to be a good educator and trainer without equipping people with the skills they need to be credible, as well as encouraging and supporting cutting-edge research." This, he says also has other benefits such as the grants and external revenues that it attracts. "We also fund some relevant research in defence and we are always keen to look at proposals that will underpin the future challenges faced by MOD."

An example of how courses have evolved and can be tailored to the defence industry's current needs is in the relationship which the Defence Academy & Cranfield have with the Weapons Company MBDA. Lyle is excited by the possibilities of working with industry and the benefits it gives to all parties. "It gives MBDA access to Cranfield research and expertise and gives us access to materials and an insight into their technology and innovation. I would like to exploit this more and I think there will be further opportunities to help the MBDA workforce work more closely with MOD, giving skills and opportunities to both parties."

This he believes reflects the principles of partnering outlined in the Defence Industrial Strategy which states MOD's commitment to encouraging closer working relationships with Industry. Lyle is encouraged by the feedback he has had so far and believes this will develop in the future: "These courses help understanding by bringing people together for short periods and teaching them from the same toolkit. This means that they will be better able to work together in the future and creates mutual understanding."

Asked why the DA should be first choice for both students and employers, Lyle is quick to respond; "We have a vision that people working in defence should see the DA as the first place to come to improve their skills, and that they should keep coming back at every stage of their career. We would like to be seen as the Alma Mater for defence. Many of the building blocks are now in place and the continuing challenge is to help the 300,000 military and civilian workers in defence understand the breadth of what we offer and how we are adapting to current and future needs."

Summarising the aims of the DA, Lyle stresses the need to be agile and offer good value for money within current resource constraints: "We must continue to demonstrate that we can react and fulfil the requirements of all our customers and sponsors. I am committed to doing this and doing it well…"