A welcome note from the AoC London Chair

Firstly I would like to thank you for your interest in the post as AoC London Director.

If you already know anything of the Further Education sector, you will appreciate that it is endlessly changing as Colleges respond to the twin imperatives of national and regional government policy and the demands of our students and employer clients.

The London environment is unique and particularly exciting – so it would be a great time to join us. The London Skills and Employment Board recently published its strategy for adult skills in the capital - AoC members had a significant influence in ensuring Colleges are regarded as central in delivering the Board’s aspirations. New funding arrangements mean that Colleges must reinforce their relationships with local authorities to secure funding for their 14-19 provision and to ensure the alignment of strategies to support the workless in to employment - AoC London will be crucial in communication with London Councils, the collective voice for local authorities. Perhaps most excitingly, the 2012 Olympics provide a unique focus for training activities - AoC London oversees On Track London and works with Podium to coordinate Colleges’ Olympic activities.

AoC London represents 53 colleges including general FE, sixth-form and adult specialists. Our members expect AoC London to lobby and influence stakeholders as diverse as national, regional and local government, employers’ organisations such as London First, student bodies, regeneration agencies and the those responsible for mounting the Olympics to promote Colleges and maximize the opportunities for them to succeed. As our London Director you will work with myself as Chair and the Regional Committee to devise a strategy to maximise our influence and then coordinate the activities of Principals and Corporation Chairs in implementing this strategy.

These are the most exciting and challenging of times for London Colleges. If you have the enthusiasm and skills to ensure AoC London is not just responsive but pro-active in creating the environment in which its members can succeed, I look forward to receiving your application.

Sue Rimmer