Digital Insight Hubs
About the programme
Digital inequality remains a significant challenge across the FE sector. Differences in access to technology, staff digital skills, and learner experiences create gaps that impact educational outcomes. The Digital Insight Hub programme aims to reduce these disparities by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. By showcasing effective practices, mentoring peers, and hosting events, Insight Hubs are helping ensure that all colleges can benefit from innovative approaches and digital transformation.
Following a successful pilot, the Digital Insight Hub programme is expanding for 2026/27. There will be seven Digital Insight Hubs in total this academic year. The confirmed Digital Insight Hubs are:
- Basingstoke College of Technology
- Harlow College - new for 2026/27
- NCG - new for 2026/27
- South Staffordshire College
- The Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
We are currently recruiting two more colleges, to join the Digital Insight programme for 2026-27. We are specifically recruiting one from the North West and one from the South West. Applications are only eligible from AoC member colleges. See more information below.
Apply to be a Digital Insight Hub
Why apply?
- Benefits of becoming a Digital Insight Hub:
- Showcase your digital innovation and effective practice.
- Support other colleges through collaboration and mentoring.
- Strengthen partnerships across the FE sector.
- Learn from peers and accelerate your own digital development.
- Build your college's reputation as a regional digital leader.
- Help tackle digital inequality and improve outcomes for learners.
Together, we can create a more connected, inclusive and digitally confident further education sector.
Your commitment
Each Digital Insight Hub will receive up to £1,900 to deliver the following, between October 2026 and March 2027:
• Host one in-person Insight Day to showcase your journey in digital transformation
• Mentor a minimum of three FE college peers seeking support to improve their digital capabilities
• Meet with AoC Digital Policy and Project Manager and other Digital Insight Hubs
• Share learnings to help improve the programme for future delivery.
How to apply
Complete this application form: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/aoc/digital-insight-hub-application-26-27 by 22:59 pm on Thursday 24 September.
Digital Insight Hub Application Guidance 26-27 This programme is part of a strategic partnership between the AoC and Ufi VocTech Trust (Ufi). It builds on the findings of our report:
Digital Insight Days
The four new Digital Insight Hubs for 2026-27 will all host an in-person Digital Insight Day. These events allow colleges to understand the journey each Hub has been on through digital transformation and the development of a strong digital culture, including honest reflections on successes and challenges faced along the way. The first Digital Insight Day is open for registration, and the rest will be added once dates are confirmed.
- Harlow College - Tuesday 6 October 2026
- NCG (Newcastle) - TBC
- North West - TBC once the Digital Insight Hub is recruited
- South West - TBC once the Digital Insight Hub is recruited.
Feedback from the first three Digital Insight Days was very positive, with 96% of attendees stating they were satisfied or very satisfied with the event. Participants highly valued the opportunity to network, collaborate, and share practice with colleagues from across the further education sector. The case studies and digital transformation journeys shared by host colleges were particularly well received, with attendees appreciating the honest reflections, practical examples, and insights from staff, leaders, and students. Seeing digital strategies in action, learning about successful implementation approaches, and exploring digital tools and technologies provided attendees with practical ideas and inspiration to take back to their own organisations.
Here are some quotes from delegates:
“Thank you, I’m inspired and curious. Could we have a community of practice to keep this going. I know they fizzle out but we can only try.”
“This was a well organised day and networking opportunity was great. This is a demonstration of fantastic & thoughtful practice at the college.”
“Fantastic event really insightful.”
Impact on confidence:
- 89% of attendees agreed that attending the Digital Insight Day increased my confidence in integrating digital learning technologies to enhance teaching and learning, student experience, and/or business operations.
- 91% of attendees agreed that attending the Digital Insight Day increased my understanding of how digital learning technologies can be used effectively in my college.
- 93% of attendees agreed that attending the Digital Insight Day increased my confidence in contributing to the strategic direction of digital technology in my college.
Mentoring
Mentoring is a core element of the Digital Insight Hubs programme, offering targeted one‑to‑one support to help colleges progress on their digital transformation journey. During the pilot, nine colleges received personalised guidance from experienced Hub mentors, with two dedicated online meetings between March and June 2026 to explore institutional challenges, share effective practice, and identify practical early actions that can drive meaningful change. This structured peer‑support model ensures colleges have a trusted space to ask questions, reflect openly, and build confidence as they develop their digital capabilities.
Participants valued the mentoring programme as a collaborative opportunity to share ideas, best practice, and resources. Professional discussions and peer learning helped shape digital strategies, provided reassurance around decision-making, and enabled participants to benchmark their progress against institutions further along in their digital transformation journey.
Mentees all demonstrated an increase in confidence in at least one of the following areas:
- Personal digital confidence
- Digital strategy and planning
- Rolling out new systems
- Upskilling and/or supporting staff confidence
- Supporting students' digital skills (student experience).
Participants reported developing or refining digital strategies, roadmaps, and teaching, learning, and assessment (TLA) approaches as a result of the mentoring. The programme supported resource sharing, strengthened strategic planning, expanded professional networks, and increased focus on structured staff development and digital upskilling. While some impacts are still emerging, participants reported greater confidence in their organisation's digital direction.
“I found these mentoring sessions incredibly useful. They gave me the opportunity to reflect on many aspects of my role as a Digital Innovation and Training Lead. We discussed work dynamics, communication, time management, training plans, and identifying training needs. Throughout the process, I felt as though I had someone I could turn to for guidance and support.” Digital Insight Hub Mentee.
For the 2026/27 academic year the mentoring programme will be expanding to support 21 colleges. Information about the mentors and how to apply will be shared soon.
Online insight sessions
Each of the three Digital Insight Hub delivered an online session to share some insight into their digital transformation journey. The sessions were included in either the AoC Digital Futures conference or AoC Learning Week. Session content was shaped by feedback from the Digital Insight Days and focused on topics that participants had identified as most valuable. Across the three sessions, attendees explored themes including student partnership, digital strategy, technology-enhanced learning, AI, organisational change and digital maturity. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of respondents reporting that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their session.
The Digital Insight Hub programme is delivered as part of the strategic partnership between AoC and Ufi VocTech Trust. We are working together to increase the use of vocational technology (VocTech) in further education (FE) colleges to provide greater access to learning and skills and improve outcomes for post-16 vocational students. We aim to build capacity and confidence to use VocTech across FE colleges by embedding behaviours and strategies that can support innovation in how tech is used to enhance teaching, learning and business support with a clear focus on improving student outcomes.
Find out more about our strategic partnership Read the Digital Baseline report