College launches Microsoft IT Academy

Students from all departments will be able to access the facility – based at the College’s Medway Campus and led by its Business Development Unit – to learn the 21^st century skills many employers are looking for.

Members of staff will also be able to tackle a range of IT courses, with bespoke training available for local companies looking to upskill their own workforce.

The College will be working closely with Microsoft to develop the next generation of qualifications, helping learners find jobs in industries such as video game and mobile app design.

Microsoft’s business manager for further education, Mike Morris, said he was excited at the potential rewards the partnership could bring.

He said: “This is the first stage of an ambitious attempt to deliver really good skills across a wide range of software programs.

“These qualifications will open the door to hundreds of thousands of jobs at companies such as Facebook and Twitter, which require skilled workers behind the scenes making their websites tick.

“Another example is the Xbox 360, which was the highest selling gaming platform last year but which needs more people developing games for it.

“That’s why we’ll be staying with this scheme for the long run, so we can all be successful together.”

Meanwhile, staff and students at MidKent College are also piloting a number of qualifications due to be introduced by Hewlett Packard.

Those enrolled on the courses will provide feedback to the computer firm ahead of a planned national rollout.

Call the MidKent College Business Development Unit on 01634 383132 for more information.

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For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.