College innovation and employer engagement surveys

AoC survey report on innovation in colleges 2025

The AoC survey report on innovation in colleges 2025 finds a strong and growing strategic commitment among colleges to support local employer innovation. With 86% of colleges having identified this role as strategically important, the survey shows this belief is increasingly being translated into action.

The survey findings also discovered there is a growing desire to further develop innovation centres and “plug-and-play” spaces where businesses can access college expertise, equipment, and students.

However, it is also recognised that a substantial number of colleges have not secured stable, specific innovation funding, formal research partnerships, or fully operational business incubation facilities, with staff CPD support constraints limiting deeper research engagement with local businesses.

Among the recommendations, the survey’s accompanying report argues that AoC should advocate for multi-year funding cycles (3+ years) to allow colleges to embed innovation teams and measure impact over time. Using the results of this survey as the basis for future innovation collaboration would support Innovate UK to make the case to the Treasury for further funding and help forge links that will be crucial for the country’s economic growth.

Read the report here