MK College Group Named Digital and Technologies Technical Excellence College

The College Group has been designated under the government's new Wave 2 programme, putting Further Education at the heart of the country's digital ambitions. It's a big deal, and one we at Protospace are proud to celebrate.

The announcement was made in person by the Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, who visited MK College's Bletchley campus to meet staff and students and see the facilities firsthand. That the Minister chose Milton Keynes as the backdrop for this announcement speaks volumes about the direction the city is heading.

What does TEC status actually mean?

As a Technical Excellence College, MK College Group will work with FESA - the Further Education and Skills Alliance, a consortium of FE colleges across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor - to build shared curriculum, professional development, digital infrastructure and employer engagement across partner colleges. In short, it's not just a badge; it's a mandate to lead and share expertise across the region.

Sally Alexander, CEO of MK College Group, described the recognition as "a proud moment" and framed TEC status as both an enhancement of the College's existing reputation as a hub for AI, robotics, data and creative technologies, and a direct responsibility to translate the government's digital ambitions into real opportunities for learners, employers and communities.

Why this matters for Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes has long punched above its weight in technology and innovation. What TEC status does is give MK College a formal mandate to build the pipeline of digital talent the country needs, connecting education, employers and community in a way that benefits everyone.

For Protospace, this is exactly the kind of ecosystem development we want to see. Our work brings together founders, technologists, creatives and community members to build something meaningful in MK. A college system formally recognised for digital excellence, and actively tasked with sharing that across the region, makes this city an even stronger place to grow a career, a business, or an idea.