Local Wath MP John Healey spoke with Esports students at Dearne Valley College about how their skills can lead to jobs in the defence sector.

Gamers and coders are being encouraged to consider a career in the armed forces as their skills can be used in areas of cyber defence and for operating drones.

Dearne Valley College’s gaming course has increased from 15 students three years ago to 113 students in 2025 – with integrated business, software, health and well being and sports psychology elements included.

Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP and Defence Secretary, John Healey, said:

“The Esports course at Dearne Valley College has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and it’s clear to see the commitment of both students and tutors to learning valuable digital skills.

“The sort of skills that drone pilots have are many of the same skills as some of our best console warriors in civilian life.

“We are in a new era of threat, with cyberspace as a new front line. With more than 90,000 cyber-attacks on UK military networks over the last two years, it is essential that we step up our cyber defence, fast-tracking the brightest and the best cyber specialists to help protect the UK and our allies.”

John was able to see one of the college’s 8 state-of-the-art F1 Williams racing simulators that have been recently installed in the Esports department.

The simulators have been used by the likes of professional drivers and Esports athletes, like Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Valtterri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel.

RNN Group CEO and Principal, Jason Austin, said:

“We were delighted to welcome John to Dearne Valley College, show him around the Esports department and talk with him about the transferable skills that our students can gain from the course.

“Esports is one of the fastest growing sectors of the digital economy and we know that if you have a passion for gaming, there are a wide variety of roles that you can undertake beyond just becoming a professional gamer or developer.”

The government has launched a new recruitment scheme which will see Armed Forces recruits fast tracked into specialist roles to tackle the growing cyber threat to the UK.

The new, bespoke entry route for aspiring cyber professionals and those with existing digital skills will see basic training reduced from 10 weeks to around one month after which recruits will undergo three months’ of specialist training.