Defence Training Review Rationalisation Programme

Some years ago the Ministry of Defence initiated its Defence Training Review. The key element of this is the Rationalisation Programme which aims to introduce modern training methods and technology and to concentrate training into a handful of campus-style National Centres of Excellence. The MoD believes that this rationalisation and modernisation will provide the flexibility it needs to match training to the specialist defence requirements of the 21st century as well as releasing more military personnel for the frontline. The approach will also focus on developing an integrated training environment which amalgamates delivery across all three services and across both military and civilian personnel.
In line with the government's general approach to public funding, the DTR Rationalisation Programme is structured within a 25 year multi-billion pound Public-Private Partnership and has been split into two contractual packages:

• Package 1: Aeronautical Engineering (AE), Electro-Mechanical Engineering (EM) and Communications and Information Systems (CIS)
• Package 2: Logistics and Personnel Administration (L&PA), MOD Police and Guarding (MDPG) and Security, Languages, Intelligence and Photography (SLIP)
  

The Government's preferred supplier for Package 1 is the Metrix consortium, led by the recently privatised defence contractor Qinetiq and property developer Land Securities Trillion. The scheme involves the construction of a new £14billion state-of-the-art Training Academy at St Athan in South Wales which will provide 618 courses for 6,000 students. The MoD hopes that construction will begin next year with the first phase of tri-Service training beginning in 2013.

The MoD is considering the options for Package 2. Having removed the 'Provisional Preferred Bidder' status from Metrix, the situation is more open with both Metrix and Holdfast consortia in the bidding.

The Defence Minister Mr Ainsworth said:"The Government is committed to giving our Armed Forces the best training available so they continue to perform to the highest standards and are equipped to deal with any challenges they will face. The delivery of new tri-Service training centres under the Defence Training Review will ensure we give our personnel the best living and learning environment we can offer."

Link> MoD: Defence Training Review Report
Link> MoD: Defence Training Project on track
Link> MoD: Tri-Service training hub on the way for engineering and communications specialists