Secretary of State visit - MK College

SCIoT welcomes Secretary of State for Education 

On Friday 12 January, staff and students from the South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) welcomed the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP, along with Iain Stewart, the Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South, to the Bletchley campus. 

From digital skills and coding to game design and cyber-crime, the Secretary of State had the opportunity to meet with the students and the staff to learn more about their education, their experiences and their aspirations once completing their course. The Secretary of State also spent time with lecturers and the Senior team to understand the values and aims of the SCIoT, and the challenges faced by both colleagues and learners. 

Everyone at the SCIoT was excited to show the Secretary of State the benefits of partnering with a range of employers both local and national to offer a curriculum to students that brings education and business closer together, encourages collaboration between colleges and business, and delivers world class technical education. 

The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP said: “The South Central Institute of Technology is making our next generation of code makers next door to the old site of the WW2 codebreakers. 

“It was excellent to meet the leadership team behind the SCIoT and see first-hand the range of courses being undertaken by students, not only from Milton Keynes but also from further afield. Iain has campaigned for more opportunities so the next generation in Milton Keynes have the skills they need to get ahead in their careers. As an MP he is a true champion for education, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as we continue to deliver on his local education priorities.” 

Iain Stewart MP added: “I am delighted I had the opportunity to showcase the South Central Institute of Technology to the Secretary of State for Education, it is a truly brilliant facility we have in Bletchley. 

“The SCIoT is providing students a hands-on approach to learning about technology, digital subjects and coding, and the Secretary of State really enjoyed meeting the staff, students and leadership team.” 

Sally Alexander, CEO and Group Principal for Milton Keynes College Group said: “It was a wonderful boost to receive a visit from the Secretary of State and to have the opportunity for her to see at first-hand what a fabulous facility the South Central Institute of Technology is. 

“It was great to be able to explain to her just how much the SCIoT is helping to create digital futures for so many people and to provide the much needed 21st century skills in such high demand in the Milton Keynes area.” 

To learn more about the South Central Institute of Technology and the courses on offer, you can visit https://southcentraliot.ac.uk/