MK College Group hosts launch of 2025 Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards as headline sponsor
The Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards (MKBAA) 2025 was officially launched on 12th September under the theme of “Bridging the Gap: Skills & Learning for Our Future Workforce” at Milton Keynes College’s Chaffron Way campus.
Underscoring the urgent need to address the persistent skills gap affecting local businesses, the announcement was made against the backdrop of Milton Keynes College – proud host of the MKBAA 2025 launch event and officially named as a new headline sponsor.
The theme for next year’s awards comes as Milton Keynes faces a pressing skills shortage despite its dynamic growth – a fact reflected in last year’s SEMLEP Business Survey which reported that 45% of businesses in the local area find recruiting people with the right skills difficult.
It’s a gap mirrored nationally with 24% of vacancies in England resulting from skill shortages.
MKBAA 2025 will energise the debate on bridging the skills gap within the local region, ensuring Milton Keynes retains its position as one of the UK’s most productive and innovative cities.
The theme also aligns with the City Council’s MK City Plan 2025, which emphasises strengthening Milton Keynes’ regional and national economic role by improving access to education, skills, and training, particularly within the city’s technology and digital industries which accounts for one in every three jobs.
Nicholas Mann, Chair of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership (MKBLP) the organisers of MKBAA, commented: “Milton Keynes is a thriving hub of innovation and growth, but our success hinges on having a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of our dynamic economy. The 2025 MKBAA theme highlights the urgency of this challenge and the need for strategic partnerships between businesses and educational institutions. Businesses must play their part in finding a resolution to this challenge.”
Sally Alexander, CEO and Group Principal of Milton Keynes College Group, added: “Milton Keynes College is proud to be a sponsor of the MK Businesses Achievement Awards for 2025. Our sponsorship of these awards is a testament to our commitment to the Milton Keynes community and to the vital role that businesses play in driving economic growth and creating opportunities for all. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of local businesses and highlight the importance of collaboration between education and industry.”
For more information visit www.mkbaa.co.uk