The Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards (MKBAA) 2025 was officially launched yesterday under the timely theme of "Bridging the Gap: Skills & Learning for Our Future Workforce."
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 organisers of MKBAA are also delighted to announce that The Open University, Milton Keynes City Council, and Brioche Pasquier will all return as headline sponsors in 2025.
Milton Keynes, a burgeoning hub for technology, finance, logistics, and professional services, 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.
As the skills deficit is put on a national platform, through the Government’s pledge to establish Skills England, ensuring the country has a highly trained workforce, 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, comments: "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."
Despite Milton Keynes benefitting from the Open University, MK College, MK:U, and the South Central Institute of Technology, the challenge has been largely attributed to the absence of an undergraduate university and a shortage of universal educational opportunities. A concerted effort from the business community is essential to ensure Milton Keynes remains an attractive destination for highly skilled jobs.
"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." Sally Alexander, CEO & Group Principal of Milton Keynes College Group.
MKBAA has a proud history of setting ambitious themes that echo the city's challenges and achievements. MKBAA 2025 is set to be no different and will serve as a platform for local businesses to showcase their achievements and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around skills development.
***Key Information ahead of MKBAA 2025***
Entries to the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2025 will open next week and organisations are encouraged to enter to become part of a movement towards closing the skills gap and securing a prosperous future for the city's workforce.
- Entries for MKBAA 2025 will open at Noon on Tuesday 17th September
- The first round of entries will close on Friday 8th November
- Second stage of entries will open on Wednesday 27th November
- Second stage entries will close on Monday 6th January 2025
- Finalists party will take place on Thursday 13th February 2025
- MKBAA 2025 will take place on Thursday 20th March 2025
Award Categories, Any organisation or individual with an MK postcode can enter a maximum of two categories:
- Celebrating Diversity
- Charity of the Year
- Design and Creativity
- Culture, Arts, and Heritage
- Innovation and Technology
- New Business
- Customer Service
- Leisure, Entertainment, and Hospitality
- Professional Services
- Business Impact in the Community
- Small and Medium Business
- Micro Business
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- New for 2025 *** Manufacturing and Supply Chain
- Built Environment (Property and Construction)
- New for 2025 *** Skills & Learning
- Outstanding Contribution
For more information visit www.mkbaa.co.uk Sponsorship opportunities are now available for 2025, interested organisations should email sponsorship@mkbaa.co.uk for further details.
