MKC Training

What MKC Training does

MKC Training Services Ltd is a private UK professional training company founded in 2008/2009 and headquartered in Gillingham, Kent, operating primarily from Brompton Barracks in Chatham. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of MidKent College, with all profits reinvested into the parent institution. The company was formed as part of the Holdfast Training Services consortium to deliver the UK Ministry of Defence's 30-year Public Private Partnership contract for Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) training, covering 25+ subjects from Level 2 trades through MSc-level qualifications for up to 2,000 Royal Engineers personnel annually. At the midpoint of this contract, MKC reports 100% attributable pass rates, 100% trainee satisfaction, and zero KPI financial penalties.

The company's product portfolio spans three integrated categories: training transformation (curriculum design, assurance, and skills development), immersive and simulation technologies (BlueRoom mixed reality under exclusive UK partnership; C-IED virtual/AR counter-IED training; VR/AR/MR environments), and capability development and advisory (skills gap assessment, AI-assisted bid documentation, bespoke curriculum design). Underlying technology combines instructor-led delivery, immersive simulation (VR, AR, Mixed Reality), eLearning platforms (including 56 resources distributed via City & Guilds SmartScreen), proprietary AI-driven assessment tools, and a Fixed Mastery Variable Timing methodology that compresses training time by roughly 20%. The technology stack is DSAT, JSP 939, and MOD Cyber Security compliant, and the company holds ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001 certifications.

MKC Training operates an enterprise field-sales model targeting UK defence (British Army, Royal Navy, RAF, Reserve Forces) and adjacent sectors (NHS, emergency services, civil service, higher education, humanitarian organisations, private sector). Revenue is generated through long-duration managed-service contracts (the RSME PPP) and project-based engagements for immersive technology deployment, advisory work, and digital learning. Distribution combines direct on-site delivery at defence bases, demonstration selling via the Innovation Hub at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham, and consortium/partner channels (Babcock, SQEP associates, SERFCA). The company currently has 250+ employees, with 40+ ex-military personnel and a leadership team appointed largely in 2024–2025 to drive expansion beyond the core RSME mandate.

Name

MKC Training

Legal name

MKC Training Services Ltd

Website

https://mkctraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MKC Training is a UK-based defence training company that delivers the 30-year Royal School of Military Engineering PPP contract for the British Army, alongside immersive simulation (BlueRoom mixed reality, C-IED), training transformation, and capability advisory services for defence and adjacent sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Training Services

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense & Security (EDABALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Management, Disaster Response & Incident Command Training (EDAOAMAD), Search & Rescue (SAR) & Technical Rescue Training (EDAOAMAI), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Defence training services
• Military engineering training
• Immersive simulation training
• Capability development advisory
• RSME training partnership

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defence Training Services: MKC Training delivers training under the RSME (Royal School of Military Engineering) Public Private Partnership contract as part of the Holdfast Training Services consortium. This is a 30-year contract delivering training and qualifications for Royal Engineers personnel from level 2 trainees to MSc level.
2. Immersive Technology Solutions: Revenue generated from deploying BlueRoom mixed reality and C-IED simulation solutions to defence and adjacent sector clients. Includes permanent facility installation, mobile/deployable systems, and train-the-trainer models.
3. Capability Development & Advisory: Consulting services for skills gap assessment, training transformation, bespoke curriculum design, and decision support using AI-driven tools. Revenue generated through advisory engagements and solution development.
4. Digital Learning & eLearning: Custom eLearning development services and digital tools for clients, including interactive modules, bite-size learning content, and AI-powered gap assessment tools.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MKC Training delivers end-to-end training services for the UK defence sector, operating under a 30-year Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) Public Private Partnership contract to train Royal Engineers personnel from Level 2 to MSc qualifications. The company combines traditional instructor-led training with immersive simulation technologies (Mixed Reality, VR, AR) and capability development advisory services, serving defence, parapublic, civil service and adjacent sector clients. Its flagship immersive offering, BlueRoom Mixed Reality medical training, is delivered through an exclusive UK partnership.

Product overview

MKC Training offers a comprehensive portfolio of training solutions organised into three core service lines: Training Transformation (design, assurance, skills development), Immersive & Simulation Technologies (BlueRoom mixed reality, C-IED training, VR/AR tools), and Capability Development & Advisory. The company operates as a mission training partner, combining its own in-house capabilities with ecosystem partnerships to deliver end-to-end solutions. BlueRoom, delivered under exclusive UK partnership, is a flagship immersive product enabling realistic medical training in configurable virtual environments. C-IED training uses AR and virtual scenarios with real equipment. Digital learning tools include eLearning modules and bite-size content. The portfolio is designed for defence, parapublic, civil, higher education, and private sector clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BlueRoom Mixed Reality Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% attributable pass rate and 100% overall trainee satisfaction achieved at midpoint of 30-year RSME contract
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BlueRoomcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2024Exclusive UK partnership with BlueRoom for their world-leading immersive training technology. MKC Training delivers mixed reality training for complex and pressurised operational medical environments through configurable and highly realistic scenarios. The partnership enables training for up to four people in live, custom scenarios replicating complex operational medical environments including aircraft, helicopters, land vehicles, maritime platforms, and battlefield settings.
• Holdfast Training Services (HTS) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009MKC Training formed the business as part of the Holdfast Training Services (HTS) consortium under the MOD's Public Private Partnership (PPP) to deliver training for the Royal Engineers. The consortium delivers the 30-year RSME training contract.
• Sqeps (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel)supportingOthersExpert individuals in MKC Training's network bring specialist skills and experience proven in their fields. They support solutions with niche skillsets as required for specific client needs.
• South East Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (SERFCA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership plays a key role in regional support, connecting local, regional, and business communities with armed forces services. Supports skills taskforce for service leavers in Kent.
• BabcocksupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBabcock is a key delivery partner in the defence sector. William Mitchell previously held Head of Services position at Babcock Defence before joining MKC Training as Sector Director for Defence.
• MidKent CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMKC Training is a wholly owned subsidiary of MidKent College. All profits are reinvested into the college to support educational and community projects. MKC Training can draw on college teaching capacity when required.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CAE: CAE is a Canadian-headquartered leader in aviation and defence simulation-based training, including mixed reality and immersive solutions. Comparable to MKC through its BlueRoom-style immersive medical/aviation training, military pilot and mission training, and provision of integrated training systems under long-term defence contracts worldwide.
• Serco Group: Serco is a UK-listed public services outsourcer with a large defence training segment (e.g., Royal Navy, military firefighting, aviation training). Directly comparable to MKC because it holds long-term MoD training contracts, operates from dedicated UK training sites, and delivers instructor-led and technology-enabled training to defence and adjacent public-sector clients.
• Babcock International: Babcock is a UK-headquartered defence and nuclear services company delivering military training, fleet management, and engineering support to the MoD. It is both a partner and the most direct UK comparable: it shares the same customer (British Army/Royal Navy), delivers training and through-life support under long-term PPP-style contracts, and overlaps with MKC's defence training, engineering, and simulation capabilities.
• QinetiQ: QinetiQ is a UK-listed defence technology and training company that delivers MoD training services, test and evaluation, and simulation-based training solutions. Comparable to MKC because of its UK defence training heritage, MoD PPP/TUoS contract exposure, focus on operational readiness, and emphasis on technology-enabled (including synthetic) training delivery.

Others

• City & Guilds: City & Guilds is a UK vocational qualifications body with which MKC partners (Approved Centre, SmartScreen eLearning distribution, and award-issuing body). It is an ecosystem peer rather than a competitor, but is comparable in addressing UK vocational/defence skills certification - the same demand-side MKC's RSME MSc/Level-2 pipeline serves.

Broad incumbents

• Capita: Capita is a UK-listed outsourcing and professional services group with significant UK defence training and resourcing exposure (including the Recruiting Partnering Project). Comparable to MKC as a UK-headquartered public-sector/defence training provider serving the MoD, though it operates across a much broader portfolio (IT services, customer management) beyond MKC's defence-training focus.
• Cubic Defense: Cubic Defense is a US-headquartered provider of training, simulation, and mission solutions for the US Department of Defense and allied militaries. Comparable to MKC through its immersive (VR/AR/LIVE) training systems, C-IED-style mission rehearsal offerings, and digital learning content, though it operates at much greater scale globally rather than the UK-only.
• Thales UK: Thales UK provides defence, aerospace, and digital security systems, including training and simulation for the UK MoD and Royal Navy. Comparable to MKC through its simulation/training portfolio and UK defence customer overlap, although it is a much larger incumbent spanning sensors, communications, and full platform training.
• Leonardo UK: Leonardo (UK division) delivers defence electronics, helicopters, and training services to the UK MoD, including simulation-based training for rotary-wing and combat air. Comparable to MKC through its UK defence training footprint, simulation/immersive technology capability, and MoD customer base, though it operates at much greater scale and across broader platforms.

Emerging players

• Sopra Steria: Sopra Steria is a European IT and digital services group with a UK defence practice delivering training systems, digital learning, and MoD digital transformation programmes. Comparable to MKC through digital/eLearning platform delivery to UK defence, though it approaches training as part of a broader systems-integration offering rather than a dedicated mission-training business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mkc-training
• Xx.com/MKCTraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/MKCTraining

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MKC Training