The Government's 1997 Strategic Defence Review identified an increased requirement for technically trained officers in the Armed Services and the MOD Civil Service and led to a further detailed examination by the ensuing 2001 Defence Training Review (DTR). The outcome of the DTR recommended the development of a 340-place Quad Service DSFC. A PFI project was then endorsed to take the recommendation forward.

In May 2003, the Interserve-led consortium, Minerva Education and Training (Limited), won the £114 million contract to design, construct and manage the ambitious new Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC) for the MOD. It took just three months to reach financial close, thanks to Interserve's extensive experience of negotiating PFI contracts with the MOD. This was the fastest ever achieved for an MOD accommodation project.

The new DSFC will continue in the Welbeck tradition as a centre of excellence and will become a principal source of Technical Officer recruitment. The modern purpose built boarding college has exceptional specialist facilities to assist in teaching the science and technology based A-level curriculum designed to prepare students for a technical degree at a leading UK university.

The new College became fully operational in September 2005 and celebrates its official opening with a ceremony on 30th September 2005. An unusual element to the Contract sees Minerva responsible for the provision of education services as well as 24-hour-a-day welfare and pastoral care of students.

Further information regarding this project can be found if you click here.

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