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
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. Download certificate
Once you’ve finished your learning you can download your SkillUp:MK certificate. All we ask is you fill in a short survey to help us evaluate and improve the SkillUp:MK programme to help it grow and reach more learners.
5. Share with employers
Once you’ve downloaded your certificate, 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.
Enrol on a digital skills course now and boost your career
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
AI for Business Transformation
Progress doesn’t wait. So stay ahead of the curve and see how AI can revolutionise your business. Learn with Priya Lakhani on how to create an AI strategy, some easy wins for your business and how you can tell whether AI is working for you.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
AI-Powered Content Creation Strategies
Unlock the power of AI to elevate your content creation game with Daisy Tonge. Learn how to enhance creativity, streamline workflows, and stay ahead, all while keeping your unique touch. Join Daisy Tonge on this journey and transform how you craft compelling stories!
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Creating Value with AI Automation and Bots
Time is money. Why not leverage AI, automation and bots to create value and save time? Discover with Tom Shaw the tools and techniques that simplify workflows, enhance decision-making, and automate tasks, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
The Power and Peril of AI
In an era where AI reshapes our world, understanding its power and pitfalls is essential. Learn with Alison Taylor how to navigate AI ethics, enhance your judgment, and harness AI responsibly in your professional and personal life.
5 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
Navigating the Net Zero Jungle
Navigate the path to Net Zero by adapting your skills, seizing sector-specific opportunities, engaging stakeholders, and mastering project management to drive impactful sustainability initiatives. Join Dayo Osinubi and equip yourself to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Learn. Grow. Excel.
Join Maya Raichoora and unlock your potential with skills that empower lifelong learning. Master your environment, cultivate curiosity, and use advanced tools to excel. Transform your learning journey and thrive in an ever-evolving world.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Engaging Net Zero Stakeholders
Harness the power of storytelling to simplify complex climate issues, connect with stakeholders, and inspire action. Learn from Alice Aedy the key techniques to build trust, resolve conflicts, and align your personal brand with sustainability goals.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Crunching the Net Zero Data
Harness the power of data for climate action. Learn from David Carlin how to track carbon, measure progress, and develop critical green skills to effectively communicate net zero goals and manage climate risks in a rapidly changing world.
5 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
Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems
This course is designed for qualified electricians who want to expand their skills and expertise in installing electrical energy storage systems.
1 day
MK College Group
Level 3 Award in the Installation of Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems
The course provides practicing electricians with the skills and formal recognition needed to safely and competently install small scale solar photovoltaic systems.
2 weeks
MK College Group
Level 3 Award in the Requirements for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points
The course provides practicing electricians with the skills and formal recognition needed to safely and competently install electric vehicle 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
Unlock Your Leadership Edge
Discover how to excel under pressure with Keira Walsh’s tips on leadership, time management, teamwork and stress management, guiding you to stay organised, resilient and confident amidst life’s chaos.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Own the clock
Time waits for no one, so why not harness the power of effective time management? Learn strategies with Charles Leclerc, Fred Vasseur and Mandy Hickson for prioritisation and goal setting, uncover techniques to boost efficiency and reduce stress, and gain practical tools for focused work sessions.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Unleash your team game
Grasp the importance of adaptability in dynamic teams with Vix Anderton. Identify trust building strategies, apply conflict resolution techniques, and learn to leverage individual strengths for achieving collective goals within a collaborative environment.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Thrive in chaos
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 with Amit Ghose so you can bounce back after setbacks.
5 hours of study
Santander UK
Stealthy Communication Hacks
The best leaders are usually the best communicators. Explore techniques with Laura Field to become a great communicator, including strategies to handle presentations, tips for confident body language and practical advice for nailing small talk and networking.
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.
Complete a SkillUp:MK course and download your certificate
Once you’ve downloaded your certificate, 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.
Before downloading your certificate, please share your feedback on the short survey opposite. Please complete the form and press submit. This will automatically take you through to your course completion SkillUp:MK certificate, which you can download for free.
Complete Survey to download your SkillUp:MK certificate
Before downloading your certificate, please share your feedback. These statistics will be used to evaluate the initiative and will not be stored alongside your name.