Loughborough College CEO John Doherty has joined forces with every leader from every general further education college in England to seek urgent action on the government’s recent post-18 Education review.
In an unprecedented move, the 203 college leaders have written an open letter to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Education, urging them to “answer the calls from business” and respond to the “challenges of technological change and Brexit” by implementing the recommendations of The Augar Review.
The 203 leaders are responsible for institutions that educate and train two million people each year, employing 180,000 staff and they have a combined turnover of £6 billion per annum.
Forecasting by the Association of Colleges warns that without swift action, the country risks widening the skills gap and reducing economic output.
John Doherty said: “Investing in education and training, whether that’s for young people reaching working age or adults throughout their working lives and beyond, has a huge impact on learners, their families, communities and the economy.
“Loughborough College and colleges across the country play a vital role in transforming lives, driving regional growth and ensuring the UK can compete on a global stage.
“The Augur Review presents a crucial opportunity and I am pleased to join my fellow college leaders in seeking swift action on its recommendations.”
Key extracts from the letter:
“[The Post-18 Review] understands that employers and communities need more high quality technical and professional education and training, industry standard facilities, expert staff and the unique curriculum that colleges already provide. It sees colleges as the key vehicle for the flexible, local delivery of national strategies, supporting industrial policy, productivity, skills development and genuine social equity. It clearly acknowledges that all this requires real investment.”
“In many respects the Augar Review represents a wider emerging consensus across England. We are sure that you will agree with us and other key stakeholders that further education colleges have been neglected, and that there is now a growing appreciation of their unique role, value and potential. What we now need are decisions and commitments: with your political leadership, support and resolve, colleges will be able to build on what they already do to reach more employers and more adults and make the differences our economy and society need. “
Bev Robinson OBE, member of the Independent Panel and co-author of the Augar Review said: “The government’s response to the outcomes of the well-received Augar Review is arguably a watershed moment for the British government. Choosing to enact the recommendations would demonstrate the government’s commitment to the much-needed skills revolution which our country needs, which industry is crying out for and which will promote social equity for all adults, not just the 50% as it is now.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges said: “It is extraordinary to have every leader in every general further education college in the country collaborate like this. But then these are extraordinary times. These college leaders are uniquely placed at the hearts of their communities, working closely with local, national and international business, supporting individuals to get on in life, and driving the social mobility agenda. Government needs to listen to them if they’ve got any chance of tackling the major issues this country faces, now and in the future.”