Bedford College students step inside John Lewis’ digital operations

Computing students at Bedford College got the inside track last week on front-line technology, control room systems and online operations at the distribution centre of one of the UK’s biggest and most recognisable department stores.

Digital T Level students visited Magna Park, an industrial site in Milton Keynes, home to John Lewis’ 650,086 sq. ft. distribution centre, where they saw first-hand the robotics and data-driven systems that power the retailer’s online order operations across the UK. Magna Park was the first of John Lewis’s Semi Automated National Distribution Centres, which have transformed the supply chain by enabling a ‘little and often’ replenishment model and reducing the need for large store deliveries.

Real-world application of technology

Daniel Hulatt, Course Lead for Computing at The Bedford College Group, said:
“A visit like this offers students the opportunity to understand how the latest technology enables a more efficient and streamlined business to meet customer demand. It’s been amazing to get behind the scenes and see a real-life application of the technology used by John Lewis to fulfil e-commerce orders.”

Catherine Tsaku, Partner & Training Coordinator at John Lewis & Partners, said:

“We were absolutely delighted to host the students at Magna Park last week. It was a pleasure to open our doors and share a behind-the-scenes look at how we power our operations.

“The day proved to be incredibly fruitful. Through a series of guided tours, the students were able to see our various automation processes in action—moving from the theoretical concepts of the classroom to the high-speed reality of our facility floor.

“It was particularly impressive to see how engaged the group was. Their questions went well beyond the basics, diving deep into the technical architecture that keeps us running, including server configuration and the hardware resilience and redundancy required to maintain 24/7 uptime, the software ecosystems and warehouse management systems that orchestrate our robotic workflows, and the dispatching procedures and complex algorithms that bridge the gap between a digital order and a physical package leaving the dock.”

Helping prepare for employment

John Lewis is part of The Bedford College Group Employer Partnership Scheme. Through the scheme, employers from across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire support students by offering meaningful industry exposure that helps them prepare for life after college and transition into employment. The scheme turns these relationships into structured, real-world learning opportunities, enabling students to build confidence, develop practical skills and strengthen their understanding of potential career pathways, an approach already delivering results, with The Bedford College Group currently having one Supported Intern on placement at John Lewis, four students employed as Partners and a further two offered paid agency work.

Supporting T Levels

This employer engagement also supports Digital T Levels, which combine classroom learning with a substantial industry placement. Designed in collaboration with employers, Digital T Levels provide students with the skills needed for careers in IT, software development, and cyber security, or for direct entry into the sector.

Find out more

To find out more about the courses available across The Bedford College Group, visit: https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/

For more information about The Bedford College Group Employer Partnership Scheme, visit: https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/employers/employers-partnerships/