The latest facts and figures on the profile, achievements and contribution of London's Colleges are published in   London Colleges Key Facts 2009 .

AoC LR is part of the national body, the Association of Colleges. We are a professional membership organisation representing 52 post-16 learning and training institutions and their Principals across the London area. These include 35 Further Education Colleges, 11 Sixth-Form Colleges and 5 Specialist Centres offering learning and training opportunities ranging from accredited courses in Plumbing and Catering to A Level Economics and French, to HNDs in computer systems engineering. In terms of volume, many more GCSEs and A-Levels are studied in FE Colleges than in schools.

The London Region includes all of the Greater London area - home to 7.2+ million people. With 1 Londoner in 9 engaged in some form of post-school study, further and adult education plays a significant role in shaping London's economy by contributing to the skills and knowledge base of the capital.

Our colleges work closely with business and the local community and are committed to widening participation and social inclusion, helping people of all backgrounds realise their potential. We do this by providing a broad range of learning environments for 16+ young people, adults on academic and vocational courses as well as students with learning difficulties or disabilities. London's Colleges also offer basic skills courses, training courses, and provide access, foundation courses and direct courses in higher education.

Colleges are also an important part of London's economy. We have forged close links with business, finance and industry. London's Colleges are a leading force for upgrading the skills of London's residents and workers, drawing people to the region from the UK and abroad. We are also entrusted with over £600 million each year from public funds, are major purchasers and property owners, and are key employers. London colleges have over 30,000 members of staff.

There are over half a million further education students in London representing an incredibly diverse population. 45% of students at London's FE Colleges belong to Black or Minority Ethnic Groups. Nearly 60% of students are women. The age profile breakdown of student intake shows that about 75% percent of students are aged over 19, of which more than a quarter are in the 25-34 age band. Nearly one fifth is aged 45+. Over two thirds of students attend courses on a part-time basis as they are either employed or in need of further skills during their job search.

AoC LR works actively in partnership with key organisations in the London region to represent its member colleges in promoting the role of learning and skills in the post-16 sector. These regional partners include: the London Region Learning and Skills Council (LLSCs), London Development Agency (LDA), the Greater London Authority (GLA, which includes the Mayor of London and London Assembly), Government Office for London (GOL) which is the regional office for the Department of Communities and Local Government, London First, the London Skills Commission and London Aim Higher: HE/FE Partnerships.

AoC LR is also significantly involved in promoting the Skills agenda ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.  AoC LR hosts the Podium Skills London Project which is funded by the London Development Agency.  The project co-ordinates Further Education and Higher Education institutions across London to make sure the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games leave Londoners better and more appropriately skilled to stay in long-term employment.

As a stakeholder in these key organisations, AoC LR is committed to contributing to London's prosperity. We can achieve this through: training the region's labour force and increasing its human capital; assisting in the development of regeneration partnerships to enhance sustainable economic development; and encouraging social inclusivity by ensuring that all the city's residents, employers and workers have access to life long learning.

CONTACT US

For prospective student enquiries about available courses, please contact the Further Education Colleges directly.

For general enquiries about the Association of Colleges London Region and further education and training initiatives and strategies, please contact us:

Association of Colleges London Region
2-5 Stedham Place
London
WC1A 1HU

Telephone: 020 7034 9900

Regional Director: Kate Anderson
Chairman: Sue Rimmer, Principal South Thames College