In this section

Julie Mills OBE discusses the benefits of being a member of MKBLP

Add to Calendar

Dr Julie Mills OBE, CEO and Group Principle of MK College and driving force behind the new Institute of Technology, highlights the importance of bridging the gap between education and the workplace, and the role MKBLP has played.

In the current evolving economy, there is growing demand on colleges to understand what graduates are capable of and how they can help them translate these skills into jobs. With one in three graduates being ‘mismatched’ to the jobs they find after leaving college or university, it is essential that Colleges fully comprehend the skills local businesses demand, and this is when being a member of MKBLP has been invaluable.

I have been a member of MKBLP for many years, and my predecessor before me. While the high calibre of speakers at events and the networking opportunities has always been notable, having direct access to the businesspeople of Milton Keynes has been instrumental in shaping the College that we have today.

Listening to the needs of businesses from Milton Keynes has influenced our course offering, for instance, demands for ‘fit for purpose’ digital skills ultimately helped build the case for the Institute of Technology.

Milton Keynes is quickly becoming one of the UK’s top hotspots for enterprises and start-up companies. And with so many of the younger generation coming through, it is vital that the skills they are learning match the needs of local businesses, so we can harness this talent and keep it within the city. This understanding, and the strong links with local businesses, has also enabled us to place students on work placements to better prepare them for working life, while equipping them with the necessary skill set.

Up-skilling isn’t just aligned to the younger generation though. Through MKBLP the College has been able to understand the requirement to up-skill members of the local community who are currently in low skilled, low-paid roles. As a result, we are developing courses which will create workforce pipelines through to higher skilled positions which will help employees enhance their skill set and wage potential.

On the subject of talent, there is always a wide range of skills around the MKBLP table at any given time which often sparks creative thinking, and this has led to Council consultations to create a better business environment.

The diversity of skills and different personalities coming together through MKBLP has quietly helped steer the City.

These collaborations have also helped businesses of all shapes and sizes overcome issues which they may, without the support of fellow MKBLP members, have not addressed. Business to business support can come in many different forms. For instance, our understanding of the Apprenticeship Levy has enabled many businesses to unlock funding they may otherwise have lost to the Government.

Back To Events

News

News

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014