Association of Colleges

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Association of Colleges

Abbreviation	AoC
Formation	1996
Purpose	Representative organisation for further education and sixth form colleges in England
Location	2-5 Stedham Place, London, WC1A 1HU
Region served	England
Chief Executive	David Hughes
Website	www.aoc.co.uk

The Association of Colleges (AoC) is a not-for-profit membership organisation in England set up by colleges to act as their collective voice, representing further education colleges, with an associated registered charitable trust and a commercial arm, AoC Services. The Association was created in 1996 and provides a broad range of services to its member FE colleges.

Today, AoC represents and promotes the interests of 248 further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges across England – over 95% of the sector. It influences Government and its agencies on policies affecting colleges and their students and staff at national and regional levels. They also provide members with professional support services, which include expert advice lines for employment, communications, health and safety, governance and teaching and learning. Each year it hosts a large Annual Conference and Exhibition to consider the future of the sector.

AoC is governed by a Board composed of principals from member colleges, together with members appointed to represent the interests of various groupings within the sector or to enhance the effectiveness of the Board. In addition, there is a Governors’ Council which advises the Board on Governance related matters. Each November, AoC holds an Annual Conference and Exhibition which brings together senior leaders and policy makers to discuss the future of the sector. The 2016 event took place on 15–17 November in Birmingham.