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Association of Colleges (AoC) exists to represent and promote the interests of colleges and provide
members with professional support services. As such, we aim to be the authoritative voice of colleges –
based on credible analysis, research, advocacy and consultation with colleges – and the first choice
destination for guidance and advice for members.
AoC welcomes this opportunity to demonstrate its support of the awards programme through
sponsorship of this important award. In these economically challenging times it is essential that colleges
are given the opportunity to showcase ways in which they engage with local, regional and national
employers, providing skills and training for their workforce, which will enable both individuals and
companies to be well placed to continue to drive the country’s economic recovery.
Further education - serving the needs of a better society and strong economy

2. Association of Colleges Award for College Engagement
with Employers
Association of Colleges Award for College Engagement with Employers is open to all further
education and sixth form colleges in the UK. The award will recognise exemplary practice in the delivery
of provision that is both responsive to the needs of employers.
The award will be granted to the college best providing a direct service to employers to meet their skills
needs and/or engaging employers to support the development of employability skills within the curriculum.
Applications should demonstrate a clear, long-term vision and partnership with employers, reflected in
provision which enables development of a skilled workforce and contributes to economic development in
response to identified skills priorities and levels of unemployment.
Assessors will be looking for evidence of:
• A whole college approach to meeting the training , development and recruitment needs of employers
reflected in the college’s three-year development plan and investment in employment related training
• Responsiveness to key economic and training priorities identified by Sector Skills Councils, Local
Enterprise Partnerships or other strategic and systematic analysis of local or regional skills needs
• Systematic networking and collaboration with other organisations to provide a comprehensive
response to meeting the training needs of employees, those seeking employment and learners
• A successful record of managers, leaders, teachers, trainers and support staff in delivering
sustained levels of employer engagement demonstrated by feedback from employers and leading
to improvements in the curriculum
• Well managed investment in training and development of college staff, and the provision of
up-to-date facilities and equipment to industry standards demonstrated by high success and
achievement rates for learners
• Development and implementation of flexible teaching, learning and assessment methods that
overcome barriers to accessing learning, and respond to the needs of employers and learners.
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Further education - serving the needs of a better society and strong economy