The new partnership will strengthen connections between education, employers and the wider Milton Keynes business community.

Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce is delighted to welcome Milton Keynes College Group as its newest Platinum Partner.

The partnership represents a shared commitment to supporting businesses, developing local talent and creating a stronger, more inclusive economy across Milton Keynes and the wider region.

As a Platinum Partner, Milton Keynes College Group will work closely with the Chamber and its members to strengthen collaboration between education and industry. This will include listening to employers, helping businesses address skills shortages and ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge, experience and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace.

The partnership will also provide businesses with greater opportunities to influence curriculum development, engage with emerging talent and contribute to initiatives designed around the changing needs of the local economy.

Julie Jeffery, Head of Employer Engagement at Milton Keynes College Group, said:

“We’re delighted to become a Chamber of Commerce Platinum Partner.

“We work with local employers in a variety of ways, including inviting businesses to provide feedback on our curriculum, helping us ensure that our programmes reflect the skills employers need. We also work with organisations to support apprenticeships, work placements and meaningful industry experience for our students.

“Working with the Chamber of Commerce will help us develop our relationships with the local business community, and we look forward to strengthening these connections as a Platinum Partner.”

A major area of future collaboration will be DigiTEC, Milton Keynes College Group’s new Digital Technical Excellence College.

DigiTEC has been created to support skills-led growth, digital innovation and technology adoption across the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor and beyond.

The initiative will bring together employers, colleges, universities and civic partners to help businesses address skills gaps, improve productivity and gain access to emerging technologies. Its work will focus on areas that are already transforming businesses and creating new opportunities, including artificial intelligence, cyber security, robotics, automation and digital manufacturing.

Julie continued:

“For Chamber members, DigiTEC will provide a valuable opportunity to influence future skills provision, shape industry-relevant training, support talent development and collaborate on innovation projects.

“By bringing education and industry closer together, we can help build a stronger, more competitive and future-ready regional economy.”

Sally Alexander, CEO and Group Principal of Milton Keynes College Group, added: “At Milton Keynes College Group, our mission to deliver Fairer Futures for our students, staff and local communities aligns closely with the Chamber of Commerce’s goal to support local businesses to thrive.

The Platinum Partnership will give Milton Keynes College Group a prominent role within the Chamber’s business community, providing further opportunities to share expertise, engage with employers and contribute to conversations around skills, productivity and economic development.

Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce Group Commercial Director Sunny Singh said: “Our valued Chamber Business Partners are influential companies from across the region and we are delighted to welcome the Milton Keynes College Group into this exclusive group.

“We believe that our business community is Stronger Together, and these partnerships offer the chance for greater opportunities and more collaborative working.

“We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Milton Keynes College Group.”