AoC calls for further clarification on COVID-19 issues for colleges in letter to Education Secretary

In a further letter to the Education Secretary today, the Association of Colleges has set out the outstanding issues for colleges dealing with the impact of COVID-19. In the letter, Chief Executive David Hughes sets out five areas of concern and current outstanding issues that need to be addressed to ensure colleges can work in the best interest of those they serve. The main five areas that require clarification and further decisions are: The need to start work now on future skills. Clarity on the job retention scheme Confirmation on adult education budget tolerance Resolving outstanding apprenticeship issues Setting up a simpler emergency financial support scheme The letter calls on the Department for Education to make “quick announcements on these issues, to allow college leaders to make the right decisions for their communities, students and staff”. and “provide as much assurance as we can to people at the sharp end”. We recognise how difficult this time is for everyone, including the Government but decisions in the coming days and weeks are required to assist colleges in tackling the challenges face now and in the future. Please see below for the full letter. AoC letter to DfE on Covid-19 25.3.20.pdf AoC letter to DfE on Covid-19 25.3.20.pdf (PDF,92.9 KB)