Senior leaders from FE colleges across the skills sectors gathered at the ICC in Birmingham for the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference and Exhibition (November 2025). The conference highlighted record investment in 16–18 education, as well as the urgent challenges in adult learning, skills shortages, alongside priorities for inclusion, and NEET prevention.
FE Investment
David Hughes reflected in his opening address that the sector has seen an additional £3 billion more invested for 16-18 year-olds since 2019. That’s been good news for colleges, enabling them to respond to increasing learner demand and wider challenges in teacher recruitment and pay.
However, there will be further demand and strain on the college system to support even more young people. The post-16 white paper commits to a guaranteed place in college for 16-year-olds without a post-16 study plan, and learner numbers in this age group are expected to continue growing over the next five years. This brings capacity challenges that will require more investment from the Department for Education for colleges.
The investment picture for adults is very different. Declining investment, continuing devolution, and a postcode lottery for learners persist. “There is a mountain to climb in the adult space,” cited a breakout session panellist. How are we going to deliver on the asks of the industrial strategy if we can’t invest and upskill adults to step up to the challenge? The wider benefits of adult learning, community, integration, and family learning for a more inclusive society have been lost in the quest for outcomes.
Perhaps the most notable headline was made by Stephen Evans from the Learning & Work Institute, whose October 2025 report claims that if the government restores adult funding investment to 2010 levels, the return for the economy would net £22 billion. Now that’s some return.
Skills Shortages and Local Collaboration
Skills shortages remain a major concern, with a quarter of job vacancies attributed to gaps in qualifications. The government’s youth guarantee and push for more Level 4+ qualifications were central themes, alongside the ongoing importance of maths, English, and digital skills. New statutory guidance for Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) was published during the conference, urging colleges to collaborate with universities and employers to align provision with local needs. Skills England will oversee the programme, focusing on harnessing data, simplifying systems, and mobilising partners.
Colleges are recognised as anchor institutions, vital for community growth and inclusion. The conference emphasised the importance of partnerships, both within education and with local employers.
Tackling NEETs: A Sector Priority
NEET numbers continue to rise, and the challenge of supporting young people at risk of falling out of education or employment was a recurring theme at the conference. Speakers highlighted the importance of early intervention, better data sharing, and tailored support for learners with barriers to progression. The upcoming Schools White Paper is expected to address reforms for SEND students, but concerns remain about the impact on post – 16 provision, where only a small proportion of funding currently reaches those with Education, Health and Care Plans.
Colleges are central to the NEET prevention strategy, working closely with schools, local authorities, and employers to create pathways into further study or work. The message from sector leaders was clear: more needs to be done, and colleges are ready to play their part.
Inclusion and Mental Health
Inclusion and mental health were also in the spotlight. Only 10% of EHCP funding is spent on post-16 learners, and NEET numbers continue to rise. Colleges are central to prevention strategies, but further support is needed. Eighty per cent of colleges report increased staff mental health issues, and four in five report more student disclosures. The sector is urged to distinguish between mental health conditions and everyday experiences, and to challenge misinformation online.
Innovation and Curriculum Reform
Artificial Intelligence remains a hot topic, both for learners and college operations. The pace of change requires ongoing monitoring and adaptation. Colleges are reviewing and revitalising adult learning offers, using labour market intelligence and partnerships to ensure relevance. Flexible, hybrid models and stackable qualifications are gaining ground, with regular progress reviews, self-assessment, and improvement plans embedded in quality cycles. Colleges are encouraged to share best practices and support areas of concern.
Inspiration from Maggie Alphonsi
A highlight of the conference was the keynote speech by Maggie Alphonsi, a World Cup-winning rugby legend. Maggie spoke candidly about the importance of resilience, leadership, and embracing challenges. Her message “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you” resonated with delegates, encouraging everyone in the sector to lead with their strengths and to be the change they want to see.
Maggie’s story of overcoming adversity and striving for excellence provided a powerful reminder of the impact that education and sport can have on young people’s lives. Her call to “be comfortable being uncomfortable” inspired college leaders and tutors to continue pushing boundaries and supporting learners to achieve their potential.
Addressing the Workforce Digital Skills Gap
The conference also highlighted the urgent need for colleges to address the digital skills gap – not just for learners, but for the entire workforce. In our sponsored breakout session, Holly Chate from FutureDotNow highlighted the stark need to address this challenge, and Colleges who have started this work encouraged their peers to audit their digital skills provision, offer targeted training, and foster a culture of digital confidence.
They also highlighted that most college staff are not tutors, further emphasising the importance of digital competence across all roles, from administration to support services. In response to the challenges outlined by Holly, Mark Emerson and Jerry White from Colchester Institute and City College Norwich gave a frank response to their college staff’s digital literacy. Jerry, who chairs the AOC Workforce Strategy Group, captivated the audience with his tongue-in-cheek #bringbackbrian campaign, reminiscing about having a dedicated member of staff solely providing on-demand IT support for all college staff via “show and tell”. Brian wasn’t replaced when he retired. Is this the answer to the problem? Jerry suggests it might be.
Gateway Qualifications supports the FutureDotNow initiative and urges all colleges to sign the Workforce Digital Skills Charter, committing to upskilling staff and embedding digital skills at every level. By doing so, colleges can ensure they remain future-ready and inclusive, supporting both learners and staff to thrive in a rapidly changing world.