2. FOREWORD FIVE ASKS FOR
London’s 50 Further Education,
Sixth Form and Specialist
Colleges educate 440,000 young
skills at Capel Manor College
which has its main campus just
inside the M25. A full list of AoC
their employment prospects, help
them afford their studies and do
so in safety. In this Olympic year,
THE NEXT MAYOR:
people and adults every year.
They employ 31,000 people,
Member Colleges is at the back of
this manifesto.
we hope to see a sporting legacy
too. SUMMARY
including 17,000 teachers and
lecturers, and have a collective Through this short manifesto, we Over the coming months, we’ll
annual turnover of £1.1 billion. ask the Mayoral and Assembly be discussing our ideas with
candidates to help us continue to the candidates, and we hope the
But, more importantly, they are deliver first-rate education and candidates will discuss them
at the heart of providing the skills to London’s students. with our students and staff.
skills and qualifications – from
A-levels and Apprenticeships to We know times are tough, so Ian Ashman, Chair, AoC
degree courses - that the capital’s our five asks reflect relatively London and Principal, Hackney
citizens of all ages need to inexpensive ways in which a Community College
continue to make their mark. partnership between City Hall
and Colleges can make a big
Every one of London’s 32 difference by using existing
Boroughs has at least one powers and resources more
College, and the capital as efficiently.
a whole benefits from six
specialist Colleges, including the Our asks reflect the needs of the
renowned City Lit and Morley nearly half a million Londoners
College. London even has its own who study and work with us,
Specialist College for land-based and are designed to improve
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3. 1 2 3 4 5
EMPLOYER DIFFERENCE AND MAKING STUDY
ENGAGEMENT FOR DIVERSITY IN AFFORDABLE FOR THE SAFER STUDY FOR AN OLYMPIC LEGACY
SMARTER SKILLS LONDON YOUNG UNEMPLOYED LONDON STUDENTS
We ask the next Mayor to pledge London is more diverse and more One in six Londoners aged 16-24 Many London Colleges are Many London Colleges have
to create an Apprenticeship expensive than other British is not in education, employment already working closely with the delivered the skilled people
Alliance, bringing the capital’s cities. So we ask the Mayor to or training (NEET). We ask the Met to stamp out gang culture who are helping make the
Colleges together with London lobby for Universal Credit and next Mayor to work with us to and make study safer for all 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
employers to deliver at least young people’s bursary rates help these 159,000 young people our students. We ask the next Games a London success story.
10,000 first-rate Apprenticeships that reflect the higher costs of back to work and to ensure that Mayor to encourage the Met We ask the next Mayor to
for Londoners. We ask the next studying in the capital. We also study stays affordable for those to adopt a consistent approach ensure a lasting legacy for our
Mayor to join us in a campaign to urge a strategic approach to already at College. In particular, to information sharing with students by using the Mayor’s
boost the number of employers language skills, so that every we ask the candidates to pledge Colleges so that we can do more funds to develop College-led
training their low-skilled Londoner can access the jobs that to keep free travel for the under- to make our campuses safer and sporting activities for students
staff. On a wider level, we ask will contribute to the capital’s 18s on the buses and consider can provide appropriate support and communities. We also ask
for a voice at the skills table future prosperity. extending it to the Tube, and to students who are at risk. We that the Olympic Park provides
in all major developments in extending free bus travel to also ask that Colleges get a fair training and job opportunities
the capital, through College the 100,000 students aged 18- share of funding for integration for London students when the
representation on the London 24. We also ask that a Mayor’s activites and activities related to Games are over.
Enterprise Partnership Board. Bursary Scheme be established the Prevent strategy for anti-
with Colleges, set at £900 a terrorism.
year, specifically targeted at the
28,000 16-18 year-old NEETs
to encourage them to return to
study and stay the course.
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4. We know that tomorrow’s jobs need a better skilled That level of commitment and wealth of experience
1 EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT FOR SMARTER SKILLS workforce, not least where new technologies and needs to be heard wherever skills are needed to
higher customer expectations are concerned, and we deliver major new projects in the capital – from the
We ask the next Mayor to pledge to create an access these jobs. We employ many Apprentices in would ask the Mayor to join us in a joint campaign Royal Docks to the Olympic Park. The current Mayor
Apprenticeship Alliance, bringing the capital’s Colleges and deliver 20,000 Apprenticeships already. to boost the number of employers training their has won the argument for a single strategic London
Colleges together with London employers to deliver But we need a step change in skills if we are to low-skilled staff. Doing so will boost business Enterprise Partnership. Skills and employment must
10,000 first-rate Apprenticeships for Londoners. We respond to rising demand from employers. productivity and London’s economy. be at the heart of the LEP’s work. Colleges have
ask the next Mayor to join us in a campaign to boost much to contribute to its success, and should be
the number of employers training their low-skilled That’s why we want the next Mayor to work with represented on its Board.
staff. On a wider level, we ask for a voice at the Colleges and employers to deliver at least 10,000
skills table in all major developments in the capital, extra Apprenticeships each year of their term of
through College representation on the London office. These should be high-quality courses leading What London Colleges are
London’s needs How the Mayor can help
Enterprise Partnership Board. to recognised qualifications and lasting jobs. The doing
strategic contribution of the Mayor should be to
London has a high value-added economy sitting ensure that they are targeted where they are most Delivering the training Create an Apprenticeship
alongside an under-employed workforce. Just to needed. Skilled young workers ready for 20,000 Apprentices and Alliance involving Colleges
match the national employment rate, 150,000 more to take on tomorrow’s jobs employing more Apprentices and employers to deliver
Londoners should be in work. Yet one in three is But Apprenticeships are just one part of the in Colleges 10,000 extra Apprenticeships
economically inactive. At the same time, there is equation. Colleges deliver a huge range of skills
a real and growing demand for skills in specific and qualifications – for example, London Colleges
Working with local businesses Work with local businesses
sectors. These include areas of strategic importance, educate 75,000 16 and 17 year-olds, 11,000 more than A highly skilled workforce
and employers to provide the and employers to provide the
such as high-level manufacturing and low carbon. the capital’s state schools and academies combined. that stays competitive
skills needed skills needed
There is also substantial growth in employment Many provide higher education in addition to a
predicted in business and personal services, retail, wide range of vocational skills courses. Colleges
hospitality and London’s thriving creative sectors. are working with Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and Work Engaging through AoC
Provide Colleges with a voice
Programme Providers to get unemployed Londoners The right strategic input to London with the London-wide
on the London Enterprise
Colleges play a hugely important role in developing into jobs. We also sponsor Academies and provide develop skills for the capital employer bodies, the GLA and
Partnership Board
and advancing the skills that Londoners need to vocational courses for the under 16s. London Councils
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5. funding for ESOL courses is being cut and restricted. We would also urge the next Mayor to take every
2 DIFFERENCE AND DIVERSITY IN LONDON The impact will be to make it harder for people to opportunity to remind employers of the social
gain the skills they need to work and contribute benefits of employing Londoners from all the
London is more diverse - and more expensive - than For young people, many Colleges have seen to society. We ask the next Mayor to make the case capital’s communities, as part of their contribution to
other British cities. So we ask the Mayor to lobby for lower enrolments this year since the Education with us to the Department for Business, Innovation reducing social tensions and keeping London a great
Universal Credit and young people’s bursary rates Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was withdrawn. and Skills (BIS) for sustained funding for language place to do business.
that reflect the higher costs of studying in the capital. Colleges have limited funds to provide bursaries for learning in the capital so that it doesn’t become
We also urge a strategic approach to language skills, some of the poorest families, but with higher costs in unaffordable for some to learn those skills.
so that every Londoner can access the jobs that will London, the threshold excludes many whose families
contribute to the capital’s future prosperity. are living in poverty.
What London Colleges are
The Government has recognised that people are If we are to ensure Londoners of all ages are in work London’s needs How the Mayor can help
doing
far more likely to seek and take jobs where they or training, and not spending their lives on benefits,
pay more than being on benefit. The new Universal we need to ensure that it pays to work or train.
The training needs of inactive Lobby so that Universal Credit
Credit is intended to replace many existing benefits So, we want the next Mayor to join us and London Working with Jobcentre Plus
benefits claimants are met, and young people’s bursary
from 2013. It is vital that the new Credit works for Councils in lobbying the Department for Work and on programmes for JSA/ESA
ensuring that they are better rates in London reflect London
Londoners too. Yet research for London Councils Pensions (DWP) for a system of Universal Credit that customers
off working studying costs
has shown that many Londoners – including lone reflects the capital’s higher living costs. We would
parents and families with children – will be worse also like the next Mayor to join us in lobbying the
off unless there is recognition of the capital’s higher Department for Education (DfE) for higher bursaries All groups able to access Teaching thousands of
costs in the new Credit. for Colleges’ students. Develop a strategic London
education and communicate Londoners English on ESOL
approach to language skills
effectively courses, but facing cuts
We share the ambition of Government that the London’s ethnic diversity is more than reflected in
system should encourage people to work rather than the capital’s Colleges, where 46% of our students are
stay on benefit. We also think it crucial that those from ethnic minorities, compared with 30% across
who need the skills to re-enter the workforce can the general population. We help many new migrants
afford the fees that will be expected of many of them to develop their language skills so that they can
in the future. play their part in the capital’s labour market. But
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6. study should look at two ways this might be done: around 28,000 young people, but as a group the
3 MAKING STUDY AFFORDABLE FOR THE YOUNG UNEMPLOYED by allowing free student travel on the Tube for longer they stay NEET, the more likely they are to
the under 18s and extending free bus travel to the remain unemployed and to drift into crime. We
One in six Londoners aged 16-24 is not in education, equipment can make them seem unaffordable. 100,000 students aged 18-24. Extending free student would like the Mayor to establish a specific bursary
employment or training (NEET). We ask the next Until this year, the Education Maintenance travel to the Tube could help to improve the choices scheme for younger NEETs in London that would
Mayor to work with us to help these 159,000 young Allowance (EMA) provided many young people of young people and enable more of them to study help cover their costs of studying.
people back to work and to ensure that study aged 18 and under with up to £30 a week if they the courses that will make them most employable.
stays affordable for those already at College. In attended school or College and kept up with their We recognise that there may be some additional
particular, we ask the candidates to pledge to coursework. It was a conditional allowance, and We have argued for a higher level of 16-18 bursary to costs, but we believe its benefits in reducing youth
keep free travel for the under-18s on the buses and was withdrawn where they missed classes. Its reflect the higher threshold for poverty in the capital. unemployment would considerably outweigh its
consider extending it to the Tube, and extending replacement provides far fewer young people with But there is one specific group where a bursary at costs.
free bus travel to students aged 18-24. We also ask bursaries, distributed by Colleges to those most in EMA levels could have most impact: NEETs aged
that a Mayor’s Bursary Scheme be established with need. 16-18. DfE data suggests that this group numbers
Colleges, set at £900 a year, specifically targeted at
the 28,000 16-18 year-old NEETs to encourage them In one sense, however, we recognise that London
to return to study and stay the course. students are more fortunate than others in England. What London Colleges are
London’s needs How the Mayor can help
Full-time students aged 18 and under get free travel doing
London has significant problems with youth on buses and trams. Those aged over 18 can get
unemployment: one in six 16-24 year-olds is not in 30% discounts using their Oyster card. We would Improve access to College with
education, employment or training (NEET). The hope that all the Mayoral candidates would commit More young people
Educating 75,000 young people a feasibility study to extend
same is true of one in five of those aged 18-24. For themselves to retaining this important concession. participating in education and
aged 16 and 17 each year free tube travel to 18, and free
many young people, the best route out of a life on training
buses to 24
benefit is a decent qualification. And Colleges offer However, we would like the next Mayor to go
them the range of courses most likely to provide further, and launch a feasibility study into extending
those opportunities. this concession further. Given the importance of Establish a Mayor’s Bursary
Providing courses targeted at
education and skills in keeping people working A big reduction in the 28,000 Scheme for London NEETs
the needs of NEETs, including
But while courses may be free to young people, the and off benefit – something recognised by BIS with NEETs in the capital to replace the EMA for this
entry level skills
cost of getting to College or of buying books and its free tuition for the under-24s – we believe the group
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7. 4 SAFER STUDY FOR LONDON STUDENTS London’s needs What London Colleges are
doing How the Mayor can help
Many London Colleges are already working closely There are also specific ways in which we can
with the Met to stamp out gang culture and make work together to make Colleges, and their wider A big reduction in serious Developing a checklist to Encourage the Met to adopt
study safer for all our students. We ask the next communities, safer. Colleges have always recognised youth violence and crime, tackle youth violence and a consistent approach to
Mayor to encourage the Met to adopt a consistent their responsibilities to prevent terrorist activities, including that caused by gangs, and working with local information-sharing with
approach to information sharing with Colleges so and to ensure that nothing happens on their gangs police Colleges
that we can do more to make our campuses safer. campuses to incite such activities. We would ask
We also ask that Colleges get a fair share of funding the Mayor to ensure that Colleges can access funds Developing a community
Ensure Colleges get a
for integration activites and activities related to the from the Prevent strategy and for other integration Protection from terrorism and scorecard and supporting
fair share of Prevent and
Prevent strategy for anti-terrorism. activities to reflect this work. improved integration police efforts to prevent
integration funding
terrorism
London’s Colleges are all concerned to protect
the security of their students and staff, both
while at College and while they are travelling to
and from College. Each College is keen to work
closely with the Met, and many have forged good
relationships with their local officers. However, not
all such relationships are as strong as they could
be, and some Colleges believe that they could do
more if they had better information-sharing with
the Met, including access to Borough Tension
Monitoring reports. We would ask the next Mayor to
encourage the Met to adopt a consistent approach to
information sharing with Colleges so that we can do
more to make our campuses safer.
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8. 5 AN OLYMPIC LEGACY London’s needs What London Colleges are
doing How the Mayor can help
Many London Colleges have delivered the skilled the inner city. We would ask the Mayor to
people who are helping make the 2012 Olympic use some of the legacy funds to develop and Use the Mayor’s funds to help
Healthy Londoners and a
and Paralympic Games a London success story. We encourage sporting activities for students and their Opening up their facilities for Colleges develop sporting
reduction in obesity and
ask the next Mayor to ensure a lasting legacy for communities. community use activities for students and
related illnesses
our students by using the Mayor’s funds to develop communities
College-led sporting activities for students and Regeneration is an important part of the Olympic
communities. We also ask that the Olympic Park legacy, with better homes and more jobs for Encouraging more young
Support the use of College
provides training and job opportunities for London Londoners. One specific way this can be delivered Positive activities for young people (students and members
buildings for wider
students when the Games are over. is through the Olympic Park once the Games have Londoners to engage in of local communities) to
community use
finished. It should provide lasting training and job participate in sport
London’s Colleges have been playing their part to opportunities, in partnership with local Colleges,
ensure the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are available to all Londoners. Engaging with LOCOG and
a huge success for the capital. Many Colleges have Provision of a qualified Ensure what happens to
contractors to deliver training
trained people to work in constructing the stadium, workforce for a successful the Olympic Park includes
and candidates for Olympics-
or provide the business and catering services that Games and legacy training and legacy jobs
related jobs
will surround the Games. We share the ambitions of
the Mayor and the organisers that the Games should
provide a lasting legacy for Londoners.
There are two specific ways where that legacy can be
delivered by Colleges. Sport is a great way to engage
disaffected young people who wouldn’t otherwise
participate in education. Many of our students would
benefit from better sporting facilities, particularly in
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