Enrol on a skills course now and boost your career
SkillUp:MK courses
Start a skills course now
Gain new, in-demand skills in digital, sustainability, leadership and management to boost your employability through a range of courses especially selected from across our three learning partners.
SkillUp:MK courses
Start a skills course now
Gain new, in-demand skills in digital, sustainability, leadership and management to boost your employability through a range of courses especially selected from across our three learning partners.
SkillUp:MK is a partnership amongst
Enrol on a digital skills course now and boost your career
Gain new skills for your future career
Follow these five steps and you’ll be on your way to learning some great new skills
1. Browse courses
Our learning partners provide a wide range of free courses across SkillUp:MK’s three focus areas:
Digital skills | Sustainability | Leadership and Management
Browse through the wide selection of courses on The Open University’s OpenLearn platform and Santander’s Santander Open Academy. For those preferring face-to-face learning, Milton Keynes College has a number of in-person courses available locally. There is also the opportunity through SkillUp:MK to move onto more in-depth paid-for courses.
2. Register for a course
Once you have selected the courses you need to boost your career, you can either make a start online, or attend a face-to-face course at the most convenient time.
There is no limit to the number of courses you can take as part of SkillUp:MK.
3. Learn at your own pace
The online courses allow you to dip in and out of the learning as required. This allows you to flex your learning around work or family commitments and grow your skills and knowledge at the right pace for you
4. Share with employers
The OU, Santander and Milton Keynes College courses provide certificates and/or badges. Once you’ve downloaded your certificates, you can share it with employers and add it to your CV or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your success.
We are making local employers aware of the SkillUp:MK initiative. Your participation will show a commitment to lifelong learning and increase your employability in the Milton Keynes area.
SkillUp:MK courses
Digital skills
SkillUp:MK courses
Digital skills
Play your part in digital transformation
Choose from a wide range of online and face-to-face digital skills courses.
In a recent employer survey conducted by The Open University, 74% of decision makers believed that adopting new technologies would positively impact the productivity of their organisation.
But for technologies to be successfully adopted, employees must be equipped with the skills to implement and use them.
Browse our courses to take the first steps in building in-demand digital skills to future-proof your career and enhance your employability.
The Open University digital courses
The Open University
An introduction to computers and computer systems
This course challenges how we view computers, challenges how we view computers through the examples of processors in kitchen scales and digital cameras, as well as examining the work of art that, at heart, is a computer.
16 hours of study
The Open University
Digital skills: succeeding in a digital world
You will develop your confidence and skills for life online, whether study, work or everyday life. It explores a range of digital skills and practices, including digital identity, digital wellbeing, staying safe and legal, finding and using information, and online tools.
24 hours of study
The Open University
Introduction to cyber security: stay safe online
This course will help you to understand online security and start to protect your digital life, whether at home or work. You will learn how to recognise the threats that could harm you online and the steps you can take to reduce the chances that they will happen to you.
24 hours of study
The Open University
Introducing computing and IT
This course provides a general overview of how digital technologies have come to dominate virtually every aspect of the modern world and some guidance on how to prepare for this digital life. It raises awareness of the importance of data security and online safety.
10 hours of study
Santander UK digital courses
Santander UK
Excel – From basics to intermediate
Develop the necessary skills in Excel, from basic to intermediate, to enable you to handle the functionalities required to perform data management or data analysis work.
8 hours of study
Santander UK
Introduction to Python Programming
This course will take you from beginner level to a solid understanding of the basics of Python. You will learn to write code clearly and efficiently through interactive lessons, hands-on exercises and real-world problems.
8 hours of study
Santander UK
Power BI Fundamentals
This introductory Power BI course is for individuals who want to delve into data analysis. You’ll learn how to use Power BI to import data, create visual reports and charts, interact with it, and apply filters to explore the information in your data sets. Additionally, we will teach you how to transform data with the Power Query editor.
8 hours of study
MK College Group digital courses
MK College Group
Level 2 Certificate in Digital Marketing
The digital marketing qualification expands your knowledge on social media, email marketing, SEO, and digital marketing basics, suitable for those seeking careers in marketing, business, or media, and for professionals aiming to enhance their skills.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Certificate in Digital Technologies
This course allows learners to enhance their digital skills and leverage them for workplace opportunities or career advancement in specific areas of interest.
6 months
MK College Group
Tea & Tech
Learn how to make the most out of your smartphone or tablet over a cup of tea with like-minded people in an informal setting.
Every Monday for 7 weeks
MK College Group
Microsoft Office Specialist Word
This self-paced course develops your skills in Microsoft Word, the essential tool for creating, editing, and managing professional documents. Achieve the globally recognised Word Associate Certification, proving your ability to use Word’s key features effectively in the workplace.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Microsoft Office Specialist Word Expert
This self-paced course is designed to help you master the advanced features of Microsoft Word, enabling you to create and manage professional documents for specialised purposes. Achieve the globally recognised Word Expert Certification, showcasing your expertise in document customisation and productivity enhancement.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
This self-paced course is designed to help you master Microsoft Excel, an essential tool for managing data, performing calculations, and creating reports. Achieve the globally recognised Excel Associate Certification to showcase your skills and enhance your career prospects.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Microsoft Office Specialist Excel Expert
This self-paced course is designed to help you master advanced Excel features and elevate their data management skills. Achieve the globally recognised Excel Expert Certification to showcase your ability to create, manage, and distribute professional-grade spreadsheets for specialised purposes.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
This self-paced course equips you with the skills to create and enhance professional presentations using Microsoft Power
Part-Time
Enrol on a sustainability course now and boost your career
SkillUp:MK courses
Sustainability
SkillUp:MK courses
Sustainability
Play your part in a green future
Choose from a wide range of online and face-to-face digital skills courses.
More than ever before, sustainability is on the agenda of every employer.
Reducing emissions or waste, adopting green technologies or developing sustainable products and services, all require skills and expertise.
Our selection of courses help you to develop the green skills that employers need to meet the expectations of today’s regulations, customers, users and investors as the country looks to meet its Net Zero targets.
The Open University sustainability courses
The Open University
Environment: treading lightly on the Earth
This course will give you an understanding of the nature and importance of carbon footprints of individuals and households. It will enable you to measure your own carbon footprint and explore what you could do to reduce that footprint and so ‘tread more lightly on the Earth’.
15 hours of study
The Open University
Transport and sustainability
This free course, Transport and sustainability, explores the issues around sustainable transport and how the role of technology and society can interact to lower the overall impact of transport.
12 hours of study
The Open University
Eating for the environment
This course will explore the links between food, nutrition and environmental sustainability. It will start by exploring the diversity on your dinner plate and encourage you to reflect on it in relation to dietary choices and preferences of people around the world.
 8 hours of study
The Open University
Could we control our climate?
In this free course you will imagine a future in which humanity has taken radical action to tackle the climate crisis: by engineering the climate, using technology to ‘set the thermostat dial’ of the planet. This will help you understand many issues around humanity’s response to the climate crisis.
 8 hours of study
Santander UK sustainability courses
Santander UK
From Aspiration to Action: Sustainability Impact
This course will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to make a meaningful difference on the environment. You’ll explore major global challenges, discover local solutions, and learn how to take impactful action in your personal, professional and organisational life.
6-8 hours of study
MK College Group sustainability courses
MK College Group
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Environmental Sustainability
This qualification aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the principles of Environmental Sustainability, covering sustainable development, communities, energy management, business social responsibility, waste management, and sustainable transport.
Part-Time
MK College Group
Green Skills Bundle
This course is a bundle of three qualifications covering the installation of small-scale solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems, electrical energy storage systems for dwellings, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
1 day
Enrol on a leadership and management course now and boost your career
SkillUp:MK courses
Leadership and management
SkillUp:MK courses
Leadership and management
Gain skills to lead people effectively
Choose from a wide range of online and face-to-face digital skills courses.
Many people excel at their jobs and achieve promotions to management and leadership positions.
Unfortunately, many do not receive training and become ‘accidental’ managers and leaders, without the skills to nurture and develop their teams.
With new challenges constantly emerging in every sector, training is critical for those in strategic and management roles to allow both themselves and their staff to thrive.
The Open University leadership and management courses
The Open University
Leadership and followership
Working through this course will help you to explore what makes a good leader, recognise common leadership challenges, and identify the skills you need to develop if you want to enhance your own leadership experience.
6 hours of study
The Open University
Contemporary issues in managing
This course introduces three contemporary approaches (managing through organisational culture, managing through internal marketing, and managing through collective leadership). These approaches require you to think critically and challenge ideas and received wisdom.
 8 hours of study
The Open University
Collective leadership
This course will give you an insight give you an insight into the importance of how to be a more effective leader, and how to better engage and work with ‘followers’ in an organisational setting. It considers the ‘heroic’ leader of the past and how leadership studies historically focused on the individual.
6 hours of study
The Open University
Leadership challenges in turbulent times
In this course, you will have the opportunity to understand and explain how leadership changes in accordance to the needs of the turbulent environments that we experience. You will also explore the leadership challenges that can affect leadership effectiveness and will seek ways to successfully face these challenges.
6 hours of study
Santander UK leadership and management courses
Santander UK
High-Performance Leadership: Lessons from Formula 1®
Inspired by the world of Formula 1, learn from F1 legends Jenson Button and Claire Williams and build your skills in time management, teamwork, and decision-making, so you can hit the ground running at work.Â
2-3 hours of study
Santander UK
Time Management
Time waits for no one, so why not harness the power of effective time management? Learn how to make strategic decisions to optimise your productivity and improve your efficiency, and gain practical tools for focused work sessions.
2 hours of study
Santander UK
Strategic Communication & Teamwork
Master communication and collaboration to succeed personally and professionally. In a world where teamwork and communication are key, standing out is a necessity.
4-6 hours of study
Santander UK
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
This course provides a comprehensive framework for mastering critical thinking and problem-solving skills in today’s fast-paced world. Learn how to develop a foundational mindset and methods to confidently navigate complex problems.
8 hours of study
Santander UK
Stress Management
Life knocks you down. You get up. Life knocks you down again. You get back up again. Uncover techniques for resilience, emotional regulation and mindfulness to help you manage your emtions and strengthen your relationships.
2 hours of study
Santander UK
Communicating with Power and Impact
In increasingly diverse workplaces, it can be hard to make your voice heard and this course provides practical strategies to help you speak up with clarity and conviction. Through four key modules, you’ll build your inner strength, master tools of influence, and adapt to social context.
5 hours of study
MK College Group leadership and management courses
MK College Group
Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading
The Level 2 Team Leader Course develops practical skills for effective team leadership, covering principles of team leading, business understanding, communication, performance management, equality, relationship building, health and safety, and presentation skills, delivered online with personal tutor support.
10 weeks
MK College Group
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
This course is ideal for those serious about building a career in HR and People Management, covering seven comprehensive modules over nine months, and leading to Associate Membership of CIPD and potential progression to the CIPD L7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management.
10 – 11 months
Enrol now
Choose and register on to a course. Study at your own pace, learn new skills and boost your career prospects.