Aldershot and Farnborough benefit from a highly skilled and technically proficient population, supported by Farnborough College of Technology and Aldershot College, and the Sixth Form College Farnborough, giving local businesses unrivalled access to talent, research and specialist training.
This depth of talent not only supports ongoing research, testing, and product development, but also attracts inward investment from global companies seeking access to world‑class technical capability.
The region is also supported by leading universities—Surrey, Reading, Portsmouth, Winchester, Solent and Southampton—each within easy reach.
This concentration of colleges and universities forms a powerful regional skills ecosystem, one that continually feeds Aldershot and Farnborough’s growth sectors with new talent, fresh ideas and opportunities for innovation.
Farnborough College of Technology
Farnborough College of Technology provides industry‑aligned training in engineering, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing. Alongside recognised higher‑education pathways delivered through the University Centre, the college has a strong record in apprenticeships and employer partnerships, producing job‑ready graduates equipped to step directly into defence, aerospace and advanced technology roles.
Through close collaboration with defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing, the college shapes curricula around real‑world requirements, helping businesses access skilled talent at every stage of growth.
The Aerospace Research & Innovation Centre (ARIC) at Farnborough College of Technology strengthens the town’s reputation as a centre for aerospace excellence, bringing together industry, education and innovation to develop the skills, technologies and businesses of the future.
The Sixth Form College, Farnborough
The Sixth Form College Farnborough is a key local skills asset, enrolling around 4,000 students from a wide catchment and offering strong A‑level and vocational pathways supported by nationally recognised careers guidance. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, it provides businesses with a reliable pipeline of well‑prepared, motivated young people equipped with the transferable skills needed in a modern economy.
