Association of Colleges

A key AoC role is to represent colleges in the political arena to the government, to MPs, to the media and to other national organisations. AoC engages in the debate about the future of colleges by responding to government consultations, by providing evidence to Select Committees and MPs and by providing briefing on issues that are important to colleges. AoC’s board steers overall policy.

College members have an opportunity to influence AoC positions by talking to AoC staff, by responding to AoC briefings and by attending national and regional AoC meetings. If you are unhappy about the line that AoC is taking on any particular issue or feel that key facts are misrepresented, please contact us.

Current and recent AoC papers:

  Economic Impact of Colleges - September 2008
The contribution of FE Colleges to their local economies is assessed in a series of recent reports; this paper summarises them.

  AoC paper on DIUS Budget - Feb 08
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) budget

  AoC Briefing on World-Class Apprenticeships - Jan 2008
“A four page commentary on the new government strategy for apprenticeships”

  AoC briefing on Education and Skills Bill - Jan 2008
AoC has taken a broadly supportive position to this bill which will raise the participation age to 18 and which reforms advice and guidance.
More information on the Education and Skills Bill is available here.

  AoC evidence to DIUS Select Committee on Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQs) - Jan 2008  
AoC provided evidence on the withdrawal of £100 million in funding for higher education students taking equivalent or lower qualifications (elqs). The evidence explains the damaging impact of the policy on part-time students while also explaining that a much greater funding shift (£1 billion) is taking place in adult learning

  AoC briefing on transport and colleges - Jan 2008
AoC briefing on the issue of home-to-college transport which will contribute to our campaign to improve access, particularly in rural areas.

  AoC briefing on DCSF for MPs - Jan 2008
AoC briefing on Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF) policies, focusing on issues for 16-19 year olds and colleges

  AoC briefing on Apprenticeships for MPs - Nov 2007
AoC briefing summarising key issues in apprenticeship policy and for the forthcoming apprenticeship bill

  AoC paper on pensions - Nov 2007
AoC round-up of pensions issues for colleges

  AoC briefing on Higher Education policy - Nov 2007  
AoC briefing for new Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee on challenges for the higher education system and the contribution that colleges can make to national goals

  AoC paper on funding gap - Oct 2007
AoC paper on the 16-19 funding gap between schools and colleges, which costs the differential treatment of VAT, capital funding and supplementary grants