MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann.
MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann makes no apology for returning to the subject of the skills gap.
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IN MY last column, I touched upon the pressing issue of the skills shortage. However, given its critical importance, I find it necessary to revisit this topic, particularly because, over the past few weeks, two significant MKBLP events have highlighted the crucial need for skills development.
During a dinner and subsequent members’ breakfast, we heard from esteemed voices such as Kirstie Donnelly, chief executive of City & Guilds, and Professor Lynette Ryals, and Matthew Bell, from Cranfield University and MK:U, who emphasised the vital connection between skills and business productivity.
Their insights underscored a truth that should resonate with every business leader in our city: skills are the golden thread weaving prosperity into the fabric of both community and business.
The skills crisis is not a new issue. It is a long-standing challenge that has impeded economic growth across the UK. A report from the Learning and Work Institute earlier this year warned of the UK’s skills base potentially plateauing, projecting an economic deficit of £20 billion annually due to a “great skills divide.”
This gap significantly contributes to our stagnant productivity, with notable disparities between the UK and European counterparts like Germany and France. The Open University recently highlighted a concerning statistic: one in four businesses believe their productivity has declined in recent years. These reports should serve as a wake-up call to us all.
Funding and access to skills remain formidable barriers. Yet Milton Keynes – one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK – has a unique opportunity to tackle these challenges head-on.
We must aspire not only to generate new skills but also to retain existing talent through robust upskilling initiatives. Our city’s ambitious 2050 plan, aiming for a population of 400,000, clearly outlines the necessity for better training and skills access. However, the responsibility lies not only with local government but also with businesses willing to engage with educational establishments to ensure the skills developed align with ongoing needs.
The dialogue around skills is not just theoretical—it is practical and urgent. Over the last month, Milton Keynes hosted both the AI Festival and the STEM Festival, which drew tech leaders and more than 1,000 students to explore opportunities in AI and STEM careers. These events demonstrated a strong appetite for these fields. It is now incumbent upon us to ensure this talent is nurtured and retained through continuous education and upskilling.
While Milton Keynes lacks a residential university, initiatives by MK:U offer hope. Its degree apprenticeships are a strategic avenue to harness new talent and upskilling opportunities for existing employees. Impressively, 40% of MK:U’s learners are engaged in reskilling. Furthermore, MK:U has launched one of the UK’s first Robotics Engineer Degree Apprenticeship courses, addressing an urgent demand in an industry poised for future growth.
For Milton Keynes to sustain its position at the forefront of enterprise, we must pave the way for businesses to engage with our educational establishments. Understanding and utilising resources like the apprenticeship levy can bridge the skills gap, ensuring our local workforce is equipped and ready.
MKBAA 2025 will provide a platform for open dialogue, fostering collaboration between businesses and academia to create a blueprint for success.
The skills conversation must remain vibrant and impactful. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Milton Keynes not only leads in enterprise but also sets a standard for other cities to emulate. Let us continue engaging, collaborating, and innovating to build a thriving future for businesses and the community.
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Business MK is MKBLP’s official media partner
MILTON Keynes Business Leaders Partnership has announced Business MK as its official media partner.
MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann writes a regular column exclusively for the magazine, which has published in Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire since 1999 and is respected for its quality of journalism, information and analysis and as the longest-established and trusted business publication in the area.
MKBLP news, views and events will feature in Business MK, including event announcements, reports on presentations at MKBLP breakfast and dinner events. Articles will appear both in print and online at businessmk.co.uk.
“We have worked closely with Business MK since MKBLP came into being and before that through the Large Employers Association,” said Nicholas. “The magazine has always been supportive of what we are trying to do and to formalise the partnership seems like a natural next step.
“It is also so timely as we look to adapt the organisation to the changing business landscape. It is more important than ever that we get our message out to as wide an audience as possible and Business MK, as part of Pulse Group Media, is the ideal medium through which to do that.”
Business MK editor Andrew Gibbs said MKBLP is playing a key role in the wider Milton Keynes community. “MKBLP is a powerful voice and works hard to ensure that Milton Keynes business leaders are informed and addressed by leading figures in their field on the business issues that matter to them.
“The partnership is also a highly effective lobbyist on the city’s behalf. We are determined to play our part in that by broadcasting MKBLP’s news, views and activity as widely as possible.”
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