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This morning David Hughes CBE, AoC Chief Executive, is giving evidence to Education Committee as part of their inquiry into FE. Great to see Darren Hankey from Hartlepool College at the committee this morning as well speaking about curriculum and qualifications. Watch here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9a…

David Hughes CBE highlights four major impacts of the prolonged period of reduced funding within the FE sector: students missing essential support, limited learning opportunities for adults, staff pay issues, and employers struggling to know where to invest.

David Hughes CBE Institute for Fiscal Studies On the issue of staff pay disparity, David argues there's no reason or rationale for excluding the pupil premium after age 16. He says "We absolutely should get that pupil premium into 16 to 19, that would make a massive difference for disadvantaged students."

David Hughes CBE Institute for Fiscal Studies He says the government needs to analyse not just the average pay gap per staff member, but also the overall cost of closing it. They also need a plan in place, outlining the timeline of closing the gap.

David Hughes CBE Institute for Fiscal Studies David points out that, given the current pay situation, "it's incredible that we still have such amazingly dedicated staff in colleges." "The pay issue is just so fundamental, it is the biggest issue that needs to be addressed."

Association of Colleges (AoC) David Hughes CBE Institute for Fiscal Studies Glad to see the Davids are aligned on this!

It's great to hear Skills Minister Baroness Smith praising Nikos Savvas's nationally recognised leadership of the Eastern Education Group. His proposals for Technical Excellence Colleges in Suffolk show he's exactly the kind of leader we need to help upskill our country!

"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." - David Hughes CBE welcomes the Chancellor's £625 million college infrastructure investment. Read our full response here: aoc.co.uk/news-campaigns…

This afternoon David Hughes CBE gave evidence to the Energy and Net Zero Committee, speaking on green jobs, how college's operate in devolved administrations and forging partnerships between colleges and employers.

When asked if it is clear enough for workers to transition clean energy jobs, David said that from school to the current workforce, pathways are not good enough, adding that there are perceptions of the green industry that prevent workers making good career decisions.

On partnerships between colleges and employers, David says that colleges can produce people with skills but unless there are employers ready to take the risk to give them onsite skill, there is a "break-point".

Following committee Qs on the need for a national strategy, David argued that the focus should be working with devolved administrations, citing Liverpool and its six colleges working together on a clean energy programme, allowing employers to know where to go for expertise.

Further on a national body, David highlighted the "simple partnership" at Hinkley Point between EDF and Bridgewater and Taunton College. He argued that colleges need investment, trust and support - not a new govt model

“We need a much more systemic pathway to get as many young people to Level 3 as possible.” - David Hughes CBE in the Education Committee earlier this week giving evidence as part of their inquiry into further education.

"We would like to see the curriculum and assessment review propose a broad picture of how T Levels and A Levels fit with other Level 3 qualifications," says Catherine Sezen, Director of Education Policy at AoC. Read more here: aoc.co.uk/news-campaigns…

Pleased to see a sensible, grounded and intelligent appointment to this role. Im sure Oli will do a great job

“This report shows that with sensible changes to the devolution system, so much more can be delivered to enhance local economic growth and opportunities for people," says David Hughes CBE, AoC Chief Executive. Read more here: aoc.co.uk/news-campaigns…

📣 Schools prove pupil premium funding works; so why stop it at 16? David Hughes CBE Get Further Association of Colleges (AoC) The Brilliant Club ASCL The Access Project The Sutton Trust feweek.co.uk/let-colleges-f…

📣 The FE commissioner's report into Weston College is 'a must-read for all college leaders on how not to do' governance, says David Hughes CBE of Association of Colleges (AoC) 'The accounting issues at Weston were particularly worrying' feweek.co.uk/learning-from-…

"Colleges are leading the way in reducing their own carbon emissions, and they are providing the skills that employers need to move forward in a range of sectors," says David Hughes CBE, AoC Chief Executive, in this news article. #ED2025 Read more: aoc.co.uk/news-campaigns…