Association of Colleges

A key AoC role is to represent colleges in the political arena to Government, MPs, the media and 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.

 

AoC Policy Papers Published in November 2008

  Protocol between Local Government Association (LGA), Association of Colleges (AoC) and The Association of Directors of Childrens Services (ADCS), November 2008

AoC Policy Papers Published in October 2008

  The Development of a National Skills University* and 2+2 Degrees in Colleges
AoC concept dicussion paper for The Development of a National Skills University* and 2+2 Degrees in Colleges

AoC Policy Papers Published in September 2008

  Draft Apprenticeships Bill September 2008
AoC response to the Government’s consultation on the Draft Apprenticeships Bill

CBI Education Summit Presentation
Presentation from David Collins, AoC President, to CBI Education Summit

AoC Policy Papers Published in June 2008

  AoC Response to Promoting achievement, valuing success: a strategy for 14 - 19 qualifications
AoC response to this consultation.  This was completed with input from colleges and the AoC's 14 - 19 Focus Group.

  AoC briefing on LSC funding system, June 2008
A 3 page summary of the college funding position for 2008-9 and of the issues that have arisen with the funding system.

  AoC Response to Raising Expectations White Paper
AoC response to the ‘Raising Expectations’ consultation paper. We will continue to work with Government in advance of the expected legislation later this year.

  AoC Response to Informal Adult Learning
AoC responds to ‘Shaping the Way Ahead’ a DIUS consultation on informal adult learning.


AoC Policy Papers Published in May 2008

  AoC Efficiency Report April 2008
An AoC paper commissioned by the LSC as part of the College Finance Reporting Project which suggests how colleges can improve their administrative efficiency. 

  AoC response - The Role of FE Providers in Promoting Community Cohesion, Fostering Shared Values and Preventing Violent Extremism
AoC responds to the Department for Children, Schools and Families consultation on community cohesion and how FE colleges can assist in fostering shared values and preventing violent extremism.

  AoC response - LSC Intervention Policy Consultation
AoC fully endorses LSC’s goal of eliminating underperformance in the publicly funded Learning and Skills sector, in the interest of accountability and of the user.  AoC welcomes LSC’s recognition that collective sector responsibility for performance is vital to achieving this goal. 

  The Work of Ofsted
AoC submission to the work of Ofsted

  AoC Submission OFFA
AoC evidence to Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee on work and operation of the Office of Fair Access


AoC Policy Papers Published in April 2008

  AoC response - Focusing ESOL on Community Cohesion
AoC respond to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills consultation on focusing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to promote community cohesion.

  AoC response - Further Education Colleges' HE Provision - Engagement with Schools
The Further Education (FE) sector plays a role in supporting the Government's aim of increasing participation in Higher Education (HE). The case studies in this document provide examples of the work currently being undertaken in the FE sector to engage with schools in order to encourage young people to fulfill their potential and access HE provision.

  AoC Submission Leitch and Reginal Policies
AoC evidence to Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee: After Leitch, implementing training and policies


AoC Policy Papers Published in March 2008

  White Paper Funding Diagram
  White Paper Regulation Diagram
AoC has produced 2 diagrams to help people understand how the system will look in 2010

  AoC Briefing on Raising Expectations Paper March 2008
An 8 page briefing which summarises the Raising Expectations White Paper and explains what would replace the Learning and Skills Council after 2010
For Microsoft Word version please click: AoC Briefing on Raising Expectations Paper March 2008

  AoC Submission Cross Border Provision
AoC submission to Commons Welsh Affairs Committee

  AoC Submission Engineering
AoC submission to Innovation, IUS Select Committee Engineering


AoC Policy Papers Published February 2008

  AoC paper on college budgets and LSC funding
An eleven page briefing which summarises 2008-9 budget issues, the changes to the funding formula and the impact on colleges

  Aoc paper on a 14-19 funding system for the school funding review
A paper for the school funding review outlining how and why DCSF might introduce a 14-19 funding formula for schools and colleges in 2011

  AoC paper on DIUS Budget - Feb 08
A four page briefing on DIUS Budget Further & Higher Education Funding


AoC Policy Papers Published January 2008

  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 position paper - LSC release January 2008
AoC position paper on guidence on identifying underperformance

  AoC Response to Improvement in the Further Education Sector
AoC views on new organisation to succeed CEL and QIA


AoC Policy Papers Published November 2007

  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