Joe Long has pressed the Scottish Government to match the UK’s £10 million commitment for Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, drawing a qualified response from ministers.
The Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP raised the question in the Scottish Parliament on 8 October, seeking support for two potential Scottish hubs.
Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education Minister Alyn Smith said he supported the approach in principle but needed more information before committing funding.
Smith said ministers had requested a meeting with the UK Government and wanted an arrangement consistent with Scotland’s skills priorities.
Long urged progress without delay, arguing that a hub could support skills, jobs and the futures of Fife College and Forth Valley College.
The exchange produced a public statement of conditional support. Match funding has yet to be agreed and those colleges have not been confirmed as hub locations.
