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All Party Parliamentary Group on Further Education and Lifelong Learning

AoC provides the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Further Education and Lifelong Learning. This group aims to promote and develop the interests of the further education, adult learning and skills sectors and to advise government ministers on matters of concern to those sectors.

The APPG for Further Education and Lifelong Learning has been running for over 10 years and meets regularly in Parliament. The group holds meetings and inquiries on particular topics of importance to colleges. Recent meetings have focussed on the role of colleges in meeting the health and social care workforce challenges; FE & HE Collaboration; a joint meeting with the APPG for Students on the cost-of-living crisis impact on FE students; the role of college sport in student health and wellbeing, the role of colleges in supporting unemployed people into work; and lost learning as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic;

Group register:

- Group Register entry

If you have any questions about the Group or would like to get involved please contact our public affairs team at public_affairs@aoc.co.uk.

APPG inquiry on adult education

The APPG on Further Education and Lifelong Learning has launched an inquiry into adult education.

Despite the many benefits of adult education being well-established – as a powerful tool for economic growth, employability, personal growth, health and wellbeing and social cohesion – it has suffered from decades of underinvestment and underappreciation from successive governments.

As a result, learning opportunities for adults have decreased by millions, and across the country, large swathes of the population are locked out of the skills they need to progress in their careers, build confidence and connect with others.

The APPG will hold five sessions with MPs, learning providers and leading organisations in adult education, as well as inviting written submissions via an online call for evidence.

Find out more

What is an APPG?

APPGs are informal groups established by backbench MPs and peers which meet to discuss, campaign on and promote a certain issue. They have no statutory or formal role but are able to exert some influence on Government.