AoC responds to Lucy Powell's speech at AoC Conference

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said: “I was delighted to welcome Lucy Powell to the AoC Conference and to hear her speak so positively about the vital role of colleges in delivering the government’s priorities. 

“She clearly recognises that colleges need certainty of funding to be able to reach out and engage young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The guarantee of funding in-year growth for young people she made before the start of this academic year has helped colleges enrol thousands of extra young people who would otherwise have become NEET. Making that a permanent feature of the system would be a game-changer. 

“She reinforced the message I gave to conference yesterday, that both the Milburn report, due soon, and the devolution changes are opportunities for colleges to step in as systems leaders. I was so pleased that she values the role of colleges as strategic partners to her department and to elected mayors. 

"We’re looking forward to working with her and officials to improve policies pre and post-16 to help more young people achieve good English and maths skills and to ensure Ofsted judges colleges fairly for their inclusive learning approach. 

“Her speech showed college leaders that not only does she understand and value the role of colleges, she will be a big advocate and champion. That’s because colleges are vital to reduce NEET numbers, improve outcomes, engage more learners with SEND and improve community cohesion. Our role in the college sector is to step up and help the Education Secretary on these agendas and to design the place-based, collaborative post-14 education and skills systems that will deliver better outcomes. "