New partnership launches skills training initiative in Milton Keynes
It's in an effort to push the skill base of people living locally
Milton Keynes College Group, Santander UK, The Open University and Milton Keynes City Council have launched a joint initiative to provide a wide range of training courses designed to help local people develop new skills.
The partnership has created a new website – skillupmk.co.uk
– which offers access to courses, many of them free. The training covers sustainability, digital, and leadership and management skills, with both online and face-to-face options available across the city.
Caroline Indge, Head of Partnerships and Innovation at Milton Keynes College Group, said:
“This alliance is all about helping to tackle the skills gaps across the city, and we’re very proud to be working with our illustrious partners to achieve that. We’ve gone to great lengths to match the training on offer with the knowledge that most employers say they’re in need of, so taking these courses could significantly impact people’s chances of finding work. In such a fast-changing world, lifelong learning is becoming ever more important for all of us to keep up.”
A recent survey by The Open University found that 74% of employers believe adopting new technologies would positively impact productivity, but that employees need the right skills.
Andrew Wilson, Director of Communications, Marketing and Responsible Banking at Santander UK, said:
“At Santander, for almost three decades we have been working to support education, skills and employability - and over that time, have learnt the importance of joining forces with educators and experts like MK College, Open University and MK City Council to share insights and drive real change. Skill Up MK is a fantastic new initiative to provide the people of Milton Keynes with the vital skills that many businesses are lacking or looking for in today’s world of work. Digital, sustainability and leadership skills are essential to the future of the economy and helping businesses to thrive.”
Phil Kenmore, Director of Employers and Partnerships at The Open University, said:
“Like the rest of the UK, skills shortages in Milton Keynes such as leadership and management, digital and sustainability threaten the future of business growth and efficient public services. The Open University has a proven track record of developing the skills needed by employers in a flexible way. SkillUp:MK brings our expertise in delivering online learning to the people of Milton Keynes – free-of-charge – so they can develop in-demand skills. The Open University is proud to call Milton Keynes its home and together with our SkillUp:MK partners, we hope this initiative provides much needed support for both employers and local people.”
Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking at Milton Keynes City Council, said:
“By working together, we’re providing real opportunities for our young people to gain the skills they need for the jobs of the future. It reflects our strong commitment to planned, sustainable growth that delivers prosperity and good jobs for local people.”
The project has also received the backing of local MPs. Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, said:
“This is a fantastic initiative and really highlights the collaborative nature of our city, with the public and private sectors coming together to give people in Milton Keynes the new skills they need to thrive in their working lives. I’d encourage businesses and organisations across the city to get involved.”
Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, added:
“If we want to continue to be the city for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, we need to make sure our young people have the right skillsets. This partnership will help unlock opportunities for the next generation in Milton Keynes and keep us on the cutting edge of innovation – just like we always are.”
SkillUp:MK is being piloted in Milton Keynes, with the potential to be expanded if successful. Santander is also working with Milton Keynes College Group to provide bursaries for courses in digital, leadership and sustainability skills. This includes opportunities at the Green Skills Centre for qualified individuals to learn how to install energy storage systems, electric car charge points and solar panels.
More information about the programme is available at skillupmk.co.uk