We're now one year on since the start of the UK’s first lockdown, and six months since MK Council's COVID-19 £2.25m Economic Recovery Plan was launched.
Our record-breaking financial package is intended to drive economic growth, create new green and creative jobs, and help people back into the workplace. To date, almost 600 local businesses have been supported and around 900 local people have taken part in a career progression course.
If you want more information on any of these projects and initiatives, or on the wider plan, please contact us at enquiries@investmiltonkeynes.com Economic Development, Milton Keynes Council
NewFutures:MK with MK College
We've given funding to MK College to launch an 18-month career development scheme to support people out of work or at risk of losing their job. The programme is also providing specialist help to young people aged 16-24 year olds who are not in any type of education, employment or training.
One participant said: "I feel I am ready for a more challenging opportunity. I would like to sincerely thank you and your team for organising this wonderful service and I am grateful to MK College for considering me for this programme."
The NewFutures:MK scheme has supported more than 70 people with training and development so far. If you'd like to find out more or apply, click here.
Works for Us
We’ve partnered with Works For Us, a local charity supporting women into work whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic. We’re investing more than £26K in the Women and Work development programme, which is providing support with CV preparation, job applications and interviews. Works For Us is also providing mobile tablet and internet packages to people with limited access. To register on the Works For Us course, please email info@worksforus.org.uk and click here for more information.
Protospace
We’re helping to fund 30 workshops and professional events for tech entrepreneurs and creators in Milton Keynes. Called Protospace, it’s a 12 month collaboration between MKC, Made in MK, MK Geek Night and Pooleyville to provide a shared space for innovation, learning and business development. For all the details and a full list of events, click here.
Rebel Business School
We’ve fully-funded Rebel Business School’s series of online interactive sessions for MK residents interested in or already running their own business. More than 350 people in MK have joined a virtual session so far, benefiting from networking opportunities and specialist training in website building and online marketing.
February’s session was the most popular event in the organisation’s history, with more than 280 people taking part.
If you’re interested in joining the next online event in April, click here.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
The FSB is a leading nationwide organisation that helps small businesses. MKC has fully-funded a year’s free membership for MK business owners to provide a wide range of support, including HR, legal, financial and business advice. More than 150 businesses have taken up the offer, with the highest engagement coming from those in retail, accommodation, food services and scientific tech-based industries.
Charlie Smith, Membership Advisor, FSB said: “I have personally been a local business owner and member of the FSB for 27 years. The FSB has provided me with unlimited help, support and advice in all my business activities during this period. The continued initiative and joint partnership with MK Council and the FSB, highlights how much MK Council values their local small business community.”
MK Artificial Intelligence
We've given almost £75,000 to the MK Artificial Intelligence network to enable them to host tech-focused networking and problem-solving sessions for MK's technology sector. They're also doing focused work with young people and women to promote tech roles and opportunities locally. Since receiving MKC's funding, their subscriber base has increased to more than 2,000 and 500 people joined Expert Forums in October and November last year.
One member, Neeraj said: "MKAI is a great platform for knowledge sharing and they've held some truly amazing events. Participation has been from such a diverse set of people and the platform truly fosters an environment in which knowledge can be discovered, validated, adopted and applied."
The Indie Collective
The Indie Collective is a group of independent products-based entrepreneurs who support local artisans, designers and small independent businesses.
MKC's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Fund matched an initial investment for a retail-space based in the former Pret unit at the Intu Centre from October to December last year. The store grossed more than £24,000 in sales and supported 55 local MK businesses.
Spooky Cinema
MKC jointly funded a Halloween themed drive-in cinema with MyMiltonKeynes in a CMK car park adjacent to The Point. More than 9,000 people attended one of 12 film screenings across seven days, and almost £10,000 was raised for MK Food Bank Xtra.
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