Association of Colleges

Annual Conference 2025 is here!

The biggest event for the FE sector returns - with key insights, inspiring speakers and dozens of breakout sessions.

Join us in Birmingham to celebrate student voice, collaboration and the future of colleges.

Book now to secure your place: bit.ly/3UhOHET

This debate and the informed speeches from MPs is a great example of the fantastic relationships that colleges have built with their local politicians in recent years, and how that engagement helps keep FE and skills high on the agenda in Parliament #LoveOurColleges

We were particularly pleased to hear @leighinghammp.bsky.social contribution and her pride in her local college @nscgstafford.bsky.social. Leigh also highlighted the need for further capital investment for the sector to provide the spaces for the increased number of learners.

Although this was a short debate, a number of MPs made valuable contributions, highlighting their local colleges and challenges they face including cuts to the ASF, FE teacher pay, staff retention, and SEND.

On Wednesday afternoon, there was a short debate in Parliament on further education, led by @annadixonmp.bsky.social. Anna spoke at length about the fantastic work of Shipley College in her constituency and highlighted some of the wider challenges that the college sector faces.

"The first Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) can be a blueprint for future skills projects in other priority sectors.” - @hughesdavid.bsky.social responds to yesterday's announcement that colleges can now apply to become one of the first 10 TECs.

Read more here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

Graphic that reads I think it's propelled FE-based research into the spotlight in sector discourse, and the ripple effects will continue for years to come. Research Further Scholar

"The ripple effects will continue for years to come." FE-based research is making waves across the sector. #ResearchFurther #FurtherEducation

Discover the lasting impact of Research Further in our latest report: www.aoc.co.uk/research-uni...

graphic reads "Digital Futures: Driving Innovation and Impact in FE Conference 2025. Date: 10-11 June 2025. Time: 9:30am-12:30pm.Venue: Online via Zoom. Fee: From £185 + VAT for members."

Join us for our Digital Futures Conference next week. Explore how colleges are embedding digital innovation to empower staff and students, with expert keynotes, practical breakout sessions, and inspiring case studies.

Book your place now:
www.aoc.co.uk/events-train...

Graphic that reads Research Further with Association of Colleges logo, Education and Training Foundation logo, NCFE logo and the Edge Foundation logo.

We are pleased to share our #ResearchFurther impact report which highlights the impact of practitioner research on the college sector. Our Research Further project is an initiative set up with @NCFE and supported by @edgeuk.bsky.social and @E_T_Foundation. Read more: www.aoc.co.uk/research-uni...

College leaders from all four UK nations unite to call for more cash from PM College leaders in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have joined together to write to Sir Keir Starmer ahead of the spending review.

Great to see today's article by the The Independent on college leaders from all four nations urging the Prime Minister to prioritise further education ahead of the spending review.

Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

College principals from across the UK have united to call on the Prime Minister to invest in colleges in a first-of-its-kind letter ahead of the spending review.
@hughesdavid.bsky.social

Read our full announcement: aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

UK college leaders Unite to Call for Urgent Investment in Further Education - ColegauCymru For the first time in living memory, college leaders from Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have come together to speak with one voice to urge the UK Government to put investing in FE and…

For the first time in living memory, #furthereducatioin #college leaders from all 4 UK nations have united with one clear message to the Prime Minister:

✅ Invest in colleges to grow the economy 📈

🔗 Read more: www.colegau.cymru/cy/blog/post...

A graphic with teal background that has a headline which reads Right for resources to go towards helping people take first steps, says AoC and quote by David Hughes, Chief Executive which reads “Additional investment into skills is always welcome, particularly when it is focused on key priority areas such as construction, digital and healthcare."

On the government’s skills funding announcement AoC Chief Executive @hughesdavid.bsky.social said “Additional investment into skills is always welcome, particularly when it is focused on key priority areas such as construction, digital and healthcare."

Read more here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

“This extra funding aimed at supporting colleges to be able to match the pay increase recommended for school teachers is great news" - @hughesdavid.bsky.social welcomes £160m investment for 16 to 19 study programmes in colleges. Read our full response here: aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

Applications for AoC Student of the Year are now open for 2025/26! The awards highlight the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. #AoCStudentAwards #LoveOurColleges

Apply now: aoc.co.uk/awards/stude...

Another excellent College Alliance meeting - always so much to take away from conversations with our neighbours - to build stronger, adaptive systems.

@aoc-info.bsky.social @lewis-cooper.bsky.social @hughesdavid.bsky.social

Quote graphic: AoC Mental Health Report 2025 reveals worryingly high numbers of young people experiencing suicidal thoughts “As this report shows, it is vital that policymakers prioritise investment in preventative mental health strategies if we are to comprehensively and sustainably support student and staff wellbeing.” Jen Hope, Area Director and Senior Policy Lead - Mental Health

"It is vital that policymakers prioritise investment in preventative mental health strategies if we are to comprehensively and sustainably support student and staff wellbeing." - Jen Hope on the AoC Mental Health Report, published today.

Read more: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

Finally @pauldaviesmp.bsky.social spoke about a local project partnership Kirklees College has created with Flannery Plant Hire and the council to meet the local skills demand for construction.

#LoveOurColleges

Additionally @joepowell.bsky.social asked the Minister what she is doing to bring together Jobcentres and brilliant local colleges like Morley College’s, North Kensington Centre for Skills together to ensure opportunities for young people?

During yesterday's work and pensions questions in the commons, several MPs highlighted the work colleges do in this space.

It was fantastic to see @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social highlight the crucial role of colleges like Wigan and Leigh College in preparing young people for trades.

Graphic reads "AoC Governors' Summit. Date: 11-12 June 2025. Time: 1pm-4pm. Venue: Online via Zoom. Fee: Starting at £185 + VAT per delegate."

Join us at AoC Governors' Summit to gain insights on how further education colleges can partner with employers to meet critical skills shortages.

Secure your place:
www.aoc.co.uk/events-train...

Graphic reads "AoC Mental Health Charter."

This #StressAwarenessMonth2025, we highlight our Mental Health Charter, which has laid a strong foundation to ensure well-being and mental health are priority issues for leaders and governors in colleges.

Learn more about our charter:
www.aoc.co.uk/corporate-se...

Graphic reads "We're hiring, Marketing Manager"

Join AoC as a Marketing Manager. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in creating and delivering marketing campaigns, ideally within a membership or education context.

Applications close on 29 April, apply here:
associationofcolleges.livevacancies.co.uk#/job/details...

Reads "Think Further blog series. Why we must not ignore the importance of 'grapevine knowledge' when it comes to educational choices."

"Deconstructing educational choices requires an individualistic approach to understanding a young person’s world from their viewpoint," says Suki Dhesi, Vice Principal (Students, Learning and Quality) at HSDC in our new #ThinkFurther blog.

Read more: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

Graphic reads "Research further webinar Series 2025. Date: Wednesday 23 April. Time: 4pm-5pm. Venue: Online via Zoom. Fee: Free to attend."

Don't miss out on the first webinar in this year's Research Further series. Gain insights from three of our scholars about their ongoing research projects.

Book now:
www.aoc.co.uk/events-train...

Graphic reads includes Pearson logo and reads "AoC Sport. AoC blog. The future of vocational sports qualifications. Pearson, AoC Sport affiliate.

Our latest blog covers Pearson's updates on vocational sports qualifications, focusing on the effects of qualification reform and new technical qualifications.

Read here:
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

"I welcome this report as an important contribution to progressing devolution, helping us to transform the skills system in England," says Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire.

Read more here:
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

graphic reads "stress awareness month"

This #StressAwarenessMonth2025, we highlight our Mental Health Charter, which has laid a strong foundation to ensure well-being and mental health are priority issues for leaders and governors in colleges.

Learn more about our charter:
www.aoc.co.uk/corporate-se...

Graphic reads "Think Further blog series. Considering current pressures, how do we lead and manage safeguarding in further education?"

"Safeguarding in further education is an increasingly complex and demanding field that requires strategic leadership, innovative practices, and systemic support," says David Holloway from AoC in our new #ThinkFurther blog.

Read more here:
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

"It will open up thousands of opportunities for young people and adults to get the skills they need and which employers are crying out for." - @hughesdavid.bsky.social welcomes the Chancellor's £625 million college infrastructure investment. Read our full response here: aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...