milton keynes college group Archives - MK College https://mkcollege.ac.uk/tag/milton-keynes-college-group/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:20:26 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-MKC-Refreshed-Logo-Magenta-32x32.png milton keynes college group Archives - MK College https://mkcollege.ac.uk/tag/milton-keynes-college-group/ 32 32 Milton Keynes College apprentices enjoy dream visit to Downing Street https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/milton-keynes-college-apprentices-visit-downing-street/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:20:25 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37903 Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts Formula One reception
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Milton Keynes College apprentices enjoy dream visit to Downing Street

Milton Keynes College apprentices working in Formula One visited Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of the sport. The apprentices had the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in the sport – all as guests of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Jordan Smith, Engineering Workplace trainer at Milton Keynes College Group said it was the experience of a lifetime: “The apprentices were quite nervous at the beginning, so I asked them who they’d most like to speak to, and they said Sir Jackie Stewart, so we just walked up and said hello.”

“The apprentices are all big fans, but he was so nice to them. He told them they are the future of the motorsport industry, that they should be proud of their part in it, and he even thanked them for being involved.”

Emily Darlington, Milton Keynes Central MP, said: “What a fantastic experience for this great group of apprentices. Milton Keynes is the heart of F1 and with institutions like Milton Keynes College and the Open University in our city, it’s no surprise that so many young people in MK are making their mark. It’s also amazing to see so many more women getting involved in the sport.  I’m so glad to see everyone’s talent recognised in Downing Street.”

Miah, one of the apprentices from Milton Keynes College, was recently named as the youngest ever finalist in the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards. She said she’s it’s been a whirlwind few weeks to follow that with a visit to the Prime Minister’s home: “Visiting number 10 was an honour and a privilege. Seeing likeminded apprentices and others coming together at Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of F1 is an experience I will never forget.”

It has also been a rollercoaster ride for Jordan, who recently completed his teacher training at the College after a career in railway engineering. He said: “The College gave me the opportunity to move into teaching at just the right time, and I absolutely love it. I work with the apprentices on health and safety, electrical and fluid power, and it’s such a rewarding job.

“I’ve been able to do my own studies for my teaching qualifications alongside my work in the classroom, and it’s given me insights into different industries, visiting the apprentices at their employers in Formula One and other industries. It’s inspiring.”

Jordan says he was initially quite daunted by the idea of becoming a teacher, but he’s had brilliant support. “My Dad trained officers in the RAF, and between him and the people of the College who’ve looked after me along the way, I’ve always felt that there were people I could talk to about how to progress.

“I’ve really built my confidence in the classroom; I can put together my own lessons to make sure they’re engaging for the apprentices who are, frankly, brilliant. It’s not like school in that they’re all there because they want to be. It’s the most rewarding job you could ever do.”

The College Group is currently looking for teachers in a whole range of subjects. While we are keen to hear from experienced professionals, we are also searching for people coming from industry like Jordan, and recent graduates with up-to-date knowledge of their subjects. The right candidates will be put through their teacher training while they begin their careers.

For more information on becoming a teacher at MK College Group read more here.

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The Brasserie hosts Armed Forces breakfast for veterans https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/the-brasserie-hosts-armed-forces-breakfast-for-veterans/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:44:36 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37715 Armed Forces breakfast at The Brasserie
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The Brasserie hosts Armed Forces breakfast for veterans

Around 20 veterans attended the Armed Forces breakfast at Milton Keynes College’s The Brasserie, where they were joined by some of our staff who are part of the Armed Forces community. Celebrating Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day – and topping off Armed Forces Week – the breakfast provided an opportunity for Forces staff and veterans to network and share their experiences.

For the event on Friday 27th June, The Brasserie was decorated with bunting, banners and flags. Level 3 Catering students prepared the breakfast for the event with Hospitality students helping in the restaurant. The guests enjoyed a selection of breakfast foods, including sausage and bacon rolls, yoghurt, fruit and granola pots, fresh fruit platters, and ham and cheese croissants. The students received positive feedback from the guests.

The College Group supports colleagues who are part of the Armed Forces community and their families by offering additional leave for training for cadet volunteers and reservists, hosting discussions and training to encourage better understanding to support Armed Forces colleagues and advertising vacancies on specialist Armed Forces job boards for leavers and veterans.

Milton Keynes College Group received the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award in September 2023, recognising the Group’s promise that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

Richie Carter, Workplace Trainer for Commis Chefs at Milton Keynes College Group, said: “As an ex-serviceman myself, these occasions are extraordinary. They provide a fantastic opportunity to help and support the Armed Forces community, where we can ‘pull up a sandbag’, and talk. It was wonderful observing people get together, introduce each other and make new acquaintances.

“It is important we remember – sharing is caring. Standing together, we are stronger together.”

Ben Burton, Recruitment Resourcer at Milton Keynes College Group, said: “Richie and his team at The Brasserie knocked it out the park again! Also thank you to my colleagues Pez Ryan, Peter Goodwin and Tina Leigh McDonald who are always championing our Armed Forces network and the Armed Forces Covenant. They remind us of what it’s about and why we have days for Reservists, Remembrance, VE and VJ days and weeks celebrating the work and sacrifice by all in our Armed Forces Family.

“This Armed Forces Day we thank all for their service; we thank all for their support, and we remember those who have served, and show support to those who still serve.”

You can learn more about MK College’Group’s Armed Forces Covenant here.

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Milton Keynes College hosts local White Ribbon network event https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/milton-keynes-college-hosts-local-white-ribbon-network-event/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:42:29 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37680 White Ribbon event participants
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Milton Keynes College hosts local White Ribbon network event

Milton Keynes College hosted a White Ribbon event earlier this month for local organisations that stand in support of White Ribbon and its cause of working towards ending violence against women and girls. 

Some of the organisations who attended the event on Friday 13th of June included Milton Keynes City Council, Q:alliance, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, YMCA Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Thames Valley Police, Sir Herbert Leon Academy, MK-Act and Mears Group. 

In November 2024, Milton Keynes College Group formalised its commitment to working towards ending men’s violence against women by becoming White Ribbon Accredited – aligning with White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. 

In practice, the College Group will deliver a comprehensive multi-year plan to transform our staff culture, systems and the wider community we operate in.  

The theme of the event was the promotion of White Ribbon without alienating men and boys. Speakers included Paul Oxley, the Founder of St Mark’s Meals MK, Jay Virgo from Q:alliance, and Milton Keynes Central MP Emily Darlington via remote video message. The event marked the beginning of a local network dedicated to driving progress and working together to end violence against women and girls. 

Food was provided by the Brasserie; Catering students were involved in the preparation and the set-up of the buffet, which offered a comprehensive selection of breakfast foods. 

Amy Langford, Group Director for Inclusion and Strategic Lead for White Ribbon at Milton Keynes College Group, said: “The event brought together a range of colleagues from across Milton Keynes organisations committed to the White Ribbon commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls. This was a vibrant and thought-provoking session and the beginning of a wider conversation around how we, as a city, can play our own unique part in advancing this agenda.”

Anne-Marie Smith, Domestic Abuse Coordinator at Milton Keynes City Council, said: “Having a local network in support of the White Ribbon campaign is crucial because it fosters a community of accountability and solidarity. It ensures that the message against male violence is consistently reinforced at the grassroots level, empowering individuals to take collective action. This local support amplifies the campaign’s impact, creating safer environments for women and promoting lasting cultural change.”

To learn more about Milton Keynes College Group’s White Ribbon accreditation and what it means, read more here.

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MK College supports Art in the Park event to bring community together https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/mk-college-supports-art-in-the-park-event/ Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:30:53 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37673
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MK College supports Art in the Park event to bring community together

People from across Milton Keynes came together at Campbell Park to celebrate themes of culture, art and belonging at the annual all-day festival, Art in the Park. Organised by the charity Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture (MKIAC), the event on Saturday 21st June focussed on the resilience of refugees and their artistry, celebrating Milton Keynes’ wealth of cultural diversity and artistic expression. 

Supported by MK College Group, Milton Keynes City Council and Arts Council England – including student volunteers from MK College – among others, the event took place at Campbell Park Events Plateau. Marking the end of the UN International Refugee Week, it focussed on the theme of “Belonging.”

The free, family-friendly day of celebrations featured a funfair, a series of local and international performances, a world food bazaar offering a culinary tour of the world, and an art marquee featuring tote bag decoration, calligraphy and Turkish marbling (Ebru) workshops. The celebrations culminated in a Parade of Colours – a vibrant procession through Milton Keynes, demonstrating unity and visual storytelling. 

Anouar Kassim, Founding Director of Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture, said: “This year, as we reflect on the safe corridors created by the UN for refugee communities worldwide, we are reminded that hope is not just a word – it is a path walked together. Our ESOL students continue to inspire – they volunteer, grow, and gain real-world experience, all while feeling seen and safe. Their stories are woven into the fabric of Art in the Park – a celebration where creativity meets courage, and diversity becomes strength. 

“Together, we turn challenge into celebration, and difference into shared humanity. This year’s Art in the Park is not just an event — it’s a testament to what we can become, when we rise together.” 

Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College Group, said: “Art in the Park gives us an excellent opportunity to get together and celebrate the diversity of Milton Keynes. To listen to stories about the resilience of refugees, to see their artistry, traditions and contributions given centre stage that evening was very special. 

“The theme of belonging particularly chimes with us at Milton Keynes College Group because this is one of our core values. Our ambition to foster a genuine sense of belonging for our learners, colleagues and wider communities is central to everything we do.” 

The next event in MKIAC’s programme is the City of Codes & Light on Saturday 4th August.

To learn more about the work that Milton Keynes College does in the community, visit Community – MK College.

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Glowing report for MK College’s prison education team https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/glowing-report-for-prison-education-team/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:40:19 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37578
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Glowing report for MK College’s prison education team

Teachers and managers from Milton Keynes College Group have been graded Good by Ofsted for their work with offenders at Fosse Way Prison; one of only 7% of establishments across England to obtain a Good grade.  This is an incredible achievement for all at HMP Fosse Way following a challenging period for prisons in recent years.  

It’s especially satisfying for the staff involved because they launched the education service at Fosse Way when it opened two years ago.  Rob Hawkins, the College Group’s Contract Manager for Prison Services was part of the initial team who mobilised HMP Fosse Way.  He says, “It’s really emotional for the colleagues here, because for a long time HMP Fosse Way has been a big part of our lives.  We were responsible for how everything, from how many tables and chairs do we need in which rooms and what pens and paper to buy, right the way up to designing and running the curriculum for our Learners, for us to get a good grade here is really such a boost for everyone in recognition for their hard work.” 

The College Group’s Lead Director for Prison Services, Claire Atkins, says, “The achievement is all the greater when you bear in mind that Fosse Way is a really big prison, which can make effective education a lot harder to achieve.  We’ve got more than 70 staff here spread across two different areas.  Some of them had never worked in education before they came here, and some had never been inside a prison, so we have to thank each and every one of them for getting to grips with the job as well as they have.” 

Rob and Claire are also full of praise for SERCO, the private company that runs Fosse Way.  “You’ve got to have a stable and secure prison before you can hope to make education work,” Rob says, “and they deserve huge credit for that.” 

The Ofsted inspectors praised the team for providing a wide curriculum from entry level courses up to Master’s degrees.  They also said there were good links with employers, helping create courses that would help offenders into work when they finished their sentences, writing that the, “range of academic and vocational pathways reflected both labour market gaps and priorities, as well as prisoners’ interests and job aspirations.” 

The College is committed to building fairer futures for all learners.  Its Information, Advice and Guidance team and Employment Coordinators work with Serco and other partners to provide learners with opportunities both during their time at Fosse Way and on release.  HMIP inspectors noted that “a range of committed and experienced staff and partners supported resettlement work… The combined efforts of these teams had led to many positive outcomes for prisoners.”  

Claire says, “Prisoners will say to you, ‘when I’m in the education areas it doesn’t feel like I’m in prison,’ which is really lovely.  The library and classrooms and workshops have a real Further Education feel to them, almost as if we’re working in just another campus of Milton Keynes College.” 

Prisoners can choose from an extraordinary range of qualifications, including employability, skills, business, teacher training, art, warehousing, plastering, painting and decorating, carpentry, brick laying, finance and many more. 

Claire and Rob say their greatest satisfaction comes when they receive letters from former learners who have finished their sentences and are out in the world, in jobs, living better lives.  “That’s when you see the passion of the staff being repaid,” Claire says.  “They can see they’ve made a real difference to someone, and there’s just no better feeling.” 

To find out more about prison services from MK College Group, visit Prison Services – MK College 

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Painting & Decorating students brighten up MK University Hospital grounds https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/painting-decorating-students-brighten-up-mk-university-hospital-grounds/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:32:40 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37530
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Painting & Decorating students brighten up MK University Hospital grounds

20 Level 1 Painting & Decorating students from Milton Keynes College recently took part in a bench refurbishment project at MK University Hospital. 

The students were inspired to take on the refurbishment project after finding out about the opportunity during the College in the Community Day on 2nd April. Given the substantial workload of the project, it was agreed that the collaboration would take place as an end-of-term activity. The project was planned and supported by Adrian Bujorean, Course Team Leader for Construction at Milton Keynes College. 

For their project, the students refurbished a total of five wooden benches on the hospital grounds. Successfully sanding off old paint and applying three coats of exterior wood stain to protect and preserve the wood for outdoor use, the students transformed the benches while putting their learning to practice. 

For many of the students, this was the first time using oil-based paint and exterior varnish, making this a valuable hands-on learning experience beyond the classroom. With a mix of ability-levels, the students were keen to help one another and took pride in their work. While working, they received thanks from hospital staff and positive feedback from passers-by and patients. 

Kelly Errington, Community Fundraiser at Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you and well done to Adrian and the students – they all worked so hard during the hottest week of the year!  The benches look absolutely great and will make such a difference to the patients and their families who use the garden areas.” 

Issac, a Level 1 Painting & Decorating student who participated in the project, said: “Despite the hot weather, I really enjoyed the work experience and project being outside of college. I was able to improve my skills and had a great time working with my group throughout the week. I’m hoping for more work experiences like this in the future.” 

Jamie-Bradley, another participating Level 1 Painting & Decorating student, said: “I think it was a fun week where we did something good for people. It was also a good opportunity to experience working on something new.” 

Adrian Bujorean, Course Team Leader for Construction at Milton Keynes College, said: “After a fun, sunny week, our students have done a fantastic job bringing several old benches back to life – ready to serve for many more years to come. 

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone involved: students, staff, and the Hospital Charity team. Your support, hard work, and positivity made this project truly special. I’m incredibly proud of the students for their effort, teamwork, and commitment.” 

To learn more about Painting & Decorating at Milton Keynes College, read more here.

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College Group’s Director is a winner at Women Leaders Awards https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/college-groups-director-is-a-winner-at-women-leaders-awards/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 08:36:01 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37435
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College Group’s Director is a winner at Women Leaders Awards

On Thursday 12th June, Milton Keynes College Group’s Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Maria Bowness, won a Women Leaders Award in the “Skills, Education and Training” category. The ceremony took place at Hilton DoubleTree at Stadium MK, with over 40 finalists in attendance.

Women Leaders is a registered charity established to recognise outstanding women, promote and strengthen women’s leadership, and support gender equality and diversity. Its awards celebrate women leaders around Milton Keynes, recognising their work in their respective sectors as well as their work on gender advocacy.

With over 30 years of experience in Skills, Education and Training, Maria currently serves as the Group Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy at Milton Keynes College Group.

Her role spans a wide range of responsibilities across the College Group. From ensuring that our curricula are both comprehensive and exciting to being the driving force behind most of our biggest employer partnerships, Maria’s work has been essential in transforming the Group’s goals into actions, partnerships and success stories.

Some examples of her work at Milton Keynes College Group include: the strategic development of the College’s Skills Academy, which has improved student retention and enrolment; the strategic design of our A Level programme, launched in September 2024; maintaining a strong partnership with Silverstone to enable our Catering and Hospitality students to gain valuable on-site work experience; facilitating the ‘Cut It Out’ campaign for Hairdressing and Beauty students in partnership with Thames Valley Police; and securing £105,000 in funding from the British Council’s Turing Scheme, which enabled 36 Beauty and Catering students to travel to Thailand on a learning trip in February 2025.

Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news – this award is a testament to Maria’s vision, dedication and the incredibly positive influence she’s had on our colleagues and students alike. Maria has always gone above and beyond to create meaningful and life-changing learning experiences for our students, whether in the classroom, with our employer partners or beyond.

“I am delighted that she has been recognised as an influential woman leader because this is truly what she is.”

Maria Bowness said: “I am proud and humbled to have won the category for Skills, Education and Training. To be nominated was an honour, to become a finalist was a wonderful surprise, to win was absolutely unbelievable.

“A truly inspirational evening spent with so many amazing Women Leaders, who work tirelessly to make a difference. I am blessed to have worked with amazing Women Leaders who have driven my passion to transform lives through learning.”

To learn more about Women Leaders Awards, read more here.

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MK College students learn real-world skills in major incident exercise with emergency services https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/public-services-students-in-training-exercise/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:08:25 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37205
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MK College students learn real-world skills in major incident exercise with emergency services

Learners from Milton Keynes College joined in with a major incident training exercise held at the College’s Bletchley campus.  They had the invaluable opportunity to shadow and learn from the emergency services and even be part of the action in a mock car accident rescue. 

Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Acute Ambulance & Medical Services joined forces for the simulation in the car park which even involved cutting the roof off a car. 

20 of the College’s Uniformed Public Services students watched on, with each learner shadowing the service they want to join after college, while . 18 others volunteered to be “casualties” in the exercise. Visual effects students from Aylesbury College even came along on the day to apply fake injuries and wounds to the pretend injured. 

Pete Goodwin, Course Team Leader for Uniformed Public Services at Milton Keynes College, commented on the day: “What a fantastic exercise! Our learners were able to see first hand just how much teamwork, collaboration and skill goes into supporting a major incident like this and hear directly from the emergency service personnel exactly how they approach major incidents. 

“We’re so grateful to everyone from Thames Valley Police, Bucks Fire Department and Acute Ambulance & Medical Services for providing our learners with a truly unique experience that will be invaluable for them, both during the rest of their studies at the College and when they progress into their chosen careers. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the staff and students from Aylesbury College who helped to make the incident feel as realistic as possible.” 

Kieren Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Acute Ambulance and Medical Services, commented: “It was great to demonstrate to the students how the emergency services come together and collaborate in such a professional way, and to show how to smoothly and effectively we all deal with these kinds of situations. It was a pleasure to be a part of the exercise, and we hope the students went away with a great learning experience”. 

Watch Commander Lee Bloom from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue, Operational Learning and Assurance team commented: “This was a great opportunity to give the students the chance, to see what is involved in resolving an operational incident and how the emergency services work together. Although this was a simulation, the special effects provided by the students from Aylesbury College were excellent and it made the incident feel realistic, for the crews involved and the observing students.  Collaborative opportunities like this training exercise prepare our team for when they do need to respond to real incidents, allowing us to continue to make a difference together in our community” 

Police Sergeant Steve Holmes from Thames Valley Police added: “On behalf of Thames Valley Police, I want to say a huge thank you to the staff of MK College and all the students for their excellent engagement for what turned out to be an excellent day. It was a fantastic opportunity for TVP to work in collaboration with Bucks Fire & SCAS to show case our skills when dealing with a major incident. I hope this gave the students an insight on how each individual service utilises their training, equipment and partnership working. Thank you to all who made the event possible, and we look forward to future events”. 

Student, Freya Williams said, “I was the casualty that was being cut out of the car; I had a realistic broken leg with neck and spinal pain. The fire service cut me out and put me onto a spinal board.  They had to take the roof off to get me out. I was happy that they were reassuring me on about what was going on and what they were going to do next. 

Another student, Finley Marchant added, “We were able to get an up close, detailed look, into how the different services, respond, and work together in an emergency incident. Me and a few other members of my class with the dream of joining the Fire Service, were able to watch the incident close up, alongside a firefighter, who was constantly updating us on what the firefighters were doing.  We even got a tour inside and around the Fire Engine, looking at lots of the gear they have onboard. It was such an amazing opportunity and experience to be part of, and has further inspired my passion of joining the Fire Service.”  

To find out more about Public Services at MK College, visit Public Services Intermediate – MK College 

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Milton Keynes College students inspired to dream of future in motorsports  https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/milton-keynes-college-students-inspired-to-dream-of-future-in-motorsports/ Mon, 26 May 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37105
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Milton Keynes College students inspired to dream of future in motorsports 

Mechanic and graphic design students from Milton Keynes College had the trip of a lifetime around Aston Martin’s Aramco Formula® One Team’s AMR Technology Campus at Silverstone.  The visit was made possible by a collaboration between the College, the racing team, and global leader in automotive and industrial solutions, Valvoline™ Global Operations. 

The connection with the College began last year, when the companies supported mechanic students in refurbishing a Formula Renault racing car, with the intention of getting it back to full working order.  That work has continued this year, again with the companies’ sponsorship as part of Valvoline Global’s Mechanics Month, an annual global event celebrating those either with a career in the field or who aspire to have one.  Meanwhile, graphic design students were given the challenge of creating advertising for Valvoline Global that could be featured on the racing car’s body panels. 

Another element of the collaboration was to send a group of eighteen students to take part in an International Women’s Day event at Aston Martin Aramco Formula® One AMR Technology Campus.  Alongside 200 other young women, the students heard from inspirational speakers including Jessica Hawkins, Aston Martin Aramco Formula® One Team’s driver ambassador. 

Both Aston Martin Aramco Formula® One and Valvoline Global aim to encourage more women to enter the automotive profession, and ran a half-day event for ninety girls from local schools at the College’s South Central Institute of Technology at Bletchley, where they heard from two current Milton Keynes College students, Lucy and Georgie, as well as Rebecca Moroney from Aston Martin and Kara Dunmore and Evangelia Boumpouli, both mechanics at Steven Eagell Group’s Cambridge branch. 

The graphics students who’ve been involved in the work on the Formula Renault car went to the Aston Martin Aramco Formula® One Team Technology Campus at Silverstone to present their designs to judges from the racing and lubricant companies, with the winning team looking forward to seeing their design on the Milton Keynes College car.  

At the final event, the motor vehicle mechanic students presented their team’s work to a panel of judges, including Jamal Muashsher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Valvoline Global, who selected the best three. The winning team will have the fantastic prize of a four-day work experience placement at the AMR Technology Campus, while the second and third placed teams received professional mechanics’ tool kits. 

One of the winning student mechanics, Sam Mitchell, said, “The challenge was really enjoyable and tougher than I thought it might be.  It’s taught me an improved understanding of electrical theory and application, as well as helping with my teamwork and communication skills, not just between me and Joe but with the other teams, as well a wider understanding of race car mechanics.   It was great to have the chance to talk to the Valvoline CEO and other officials and amazing to see the final car, the livery and seeing what we had done.” 

Sam’s teammate, Joe Rose, said, “We’d never worked on motorsport vehicles before so this gave us an incredible insight into how it works. It’s given me some really valuable skills and knowledge which could help start my career in the sport, which really is my ambition.” 

All the student winners said they had an amazing time at the celebratory event.  Chiamaka Ahaneku, one of the graphics students involved said, “The experience provided by Aston Martin during the presentation of the Valvoline livery was truly inspirational to my teammates and me.  All the members of my design team felt included and heard.  The opportunity we were given will stay with us forever, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day.” 

Caroline Indge, Head of Partnerships and Innovation at Milton Keynes College Group, says, “We’re so grateful to Aston Martin F1 and Valvoline for taking such an interest in the students, and for giving them the most amazing window into a world which not only excites them but which is there for them to join if they work hard.  We’re always looking out for local businesses with which to create these kinds of partnerships.  They’re great for the students, and they also give companies an insight into the calibre of skilled young people we’re training.” 

Mark Gray, Head of Build & Car Assembly at Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, stated: “We are proud to continue supporting Valvoline’s Mechanics Month initiative. Mechanics play a crucial role in our sport – without them, racing wouldn’t be possible. It was a pleasure to welcome students from Milton Keynes College, give them a behind-the-scenes look at our work, and hopefully inspire the next generation of mechanics, whether in Formula 1 or the broader mobility industry.” 

Speaking at the event, Jamal Muashsher, CEO and President of Valvoline Global said, “By providing students with mentorship and resources, we help bridge the global skills gap and support the next generation in building successful careers.  These young mechanics will drive the future of the industry, tackle evolving challenges, and may even become elite engineers behind Aston Martin Aramco Formula One’s success.” 

To find out more about studying Motor Vehicle at MK College, visit Motor Vehicle Advanced – MK College

To find out more about studying Graphic Design at MK College, visit Graphic Design Advanced – MK College

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Access to HE students celebrate community in a collaboration with Home Instead https://mkcollege.ac.uk/news/access-to-he-students-celebrate-community-in-a-collaboration-with-home-instead/ Wed, 21 May 2025 08:28:57 +0000 https://mkcollege.ac.uk/?post_type=news&p=37097
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Access to HE students celebrate community in a collaboration with Home Instead

Milton Keynes College has teamed up with Home Instead, a home healthcare services company who work with Age UK, to offer our Access to Higher Education (HE) learners insight into the domestic care industry. This collaboration has already produced two events, which have allowed our students to connect with care professionals and clients to learn more about the people and practices within the sector.

On 1st April, our Access to HE students met with staff from Home Instead at the Chaffron Way campus to create crafts while learning more about careers in domestic care. The crafts were inspired by conversations and themes around care, memory, and personal stories. On 29th April, Home Instead hosted an afternoon tea party at their Milton Keynes office, bringing together learners and clients for a relaxed afternoon of food and conversation. During the event, learners also had the opportunity to share their crafts with the clients.

Bringing together learners exploring careers in health and social care and the clients of Home Instead, the event was well-attended, and the learners enjoyed meeting the clients. As part of the event programme, some of the learners performed live music for the clients.

Feedback from Home Instead praised the event as a blend of joy, connection, creativity and care, and commended our students on their sociability and cheer. The collaboration between Home Instead and Milton Keynes College builds bridges between members of local community through shared experiences and deeper understanding of the issues of the clients of domestic care services.

Tess Gazeley, Deputy Head of School for Access to HE at Milton Keynes College, said: “”It was a fantastic opportunity to work with Home Instead. Our learners thoroughly enjoyed both events. They had the chance to learn about how the company supports its clients, interact with the company’s staff, and meet some of the clients themselves. Additionally, our learners received valuable advice on job opportunities to help them with their future career.

“We are really grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working with Home Instead again in the future.”

Zahra Kassim, Community Engagement Lead at Home Instead, said: “We hope the event inspired some of these bright young people to consider a career path in health and social care, where they can truly make a difference. A heartfelt thank you to Milton Keynes College for your continued partnership, and to every student, client, and team member who made the day so special.

“These moments of connection are what community is all about – and we’re already excited to see where the next phase of this collaboration takes us.”

To learn more about Milton Keynes College’s work with the community, read more here.

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