The Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, visited MK:U yesterday [14 December 2023] to see its business innovation hub, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and to meet with students both online and in-person at the city centre headquarters. Ben Everitt MP for Milton Keynes North also joined the visit, which demonstrated the impact that MK:U has on individual learners, local and national businesses and the skills gap in the region.
Robert Halfon and Ben Everitt joined an online teaching session with over 60 students who are in their second year of Data Science and Digital Technology apprenticeships. MK:U’s hybrid learning technology was shown, which includes enhanced audio systems and eye-level screens so that those joining online feel truly part of a hybrid teaching session.
A group of students who are mid-way through their Level 5 studies also spoke to Robert Halfon and Ben Everitt in-person. The students are working at a range of companies including Santander, Grant Thornton, Volkswagen, Howdens, Thames Water, Nationwide, Travis Perkins and Zurich.
Professor Lynette Ryals OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, MK:U hosted the visit and said: “I felt really proud to show the work we do at MK:U which is helping companies address the urgent skills gaps they have. Our students were fantastically engaging and talked to Robert Halfon about their study experiences and how they are able to apply learning from MK:U in their workplace straight away.”
MK:U has over 350 students registered and is on track to grow to over 400 students by mid-2024. It will soon open in a second location in Unity Place and continues to work closely with a number of businesses to develop new courses.
MK:U’s Innovation Hub launched in March 2022 and is a highly valued local resource, bringing together businesses, educators and innovators. It has almost 700 members who can access co-working spaces, networking events and facilities such as podcast rooms and photography suites.
