Education Secretary to lead skills brief - AoC response

On 30 July, it was announced that the new Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will be leading on the skills brief with ministerial support from Children’s Minister Kemi Badenoch. David Hughes, AoC Chief Executive says: “Since receiving the keys to Number 10 last week, Boris Johnson has talked consistently about the importance of further education and skills, with DfE confirming today that the Secretary of State will have direct responsibility for the brief. We are taking this as a very positive sign that the words of support will soon be followed by new and significant investment in policy, relationships and funding of colleges. The task ahead for us at AoC and for colleges is to keep up the #LoveOurColleges campaigning to ensure that FE and skills do not get lost in wider government business, and that the new leadership continues to see colleges as central to delivering for our economy and communities.”