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Association of Colleges
@aoc-info.bsky.social
The national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges. Our members educate and train 1.6m people each year. #LoveOurColleges

aoc.co.uk
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
July 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
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.
July 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
"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...
June 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
"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...
June 4, 2025 at 9:47 AM
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...
June 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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...
June 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
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 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.
www.independent.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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...
May 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Association of Colleges
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...
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…
www.colleges.wales
May 28, 2025 at 7:54 AM
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...
May 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
“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...
May 22, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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...
May 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Association of Colleges
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
Good to be at Ayreshire College in Scotland this week at the Colleges Alliance meeting, hosted by @aoc-info.bsky.social. An opportunity to reflect on the college workforce of the future, and discuss shared challenges across the UK and Ireland, learning from our different systems. @colegau.cymru
May 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
"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...
May 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
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.
May 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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...
April 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
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...
April 23, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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...
April 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM
"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...
April 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
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...
April 9, 2025 at 9:56 AM
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...
April 9, 2025 at 9:53 AM
"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...
April 4, 2025 at 11:09 AM
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...
April 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"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...
March 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
"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...
March 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM