Vision for the future of Colleges launched by the Independent Commission

Vision for the future of Colleges launched by the Independent Commission

22nd July 2020

FETL is delighted to see that today the Independent Commission on the College of the Future has launched its vision for the future of colleges across the UK.

This puts forward a new, bold and ambitious remit for colleges to empower people with opportunities for lifelong learning and support, to boost productivity and to strengthen every community’s sense of place. The vision underlines the need to reaffirm colleges’ role and to unlock their full potential to meet the challenges we face, from the impact of COVID-19 to climate change.

FETL strongly welcomes this report from the Commission.

We especially welcome the Vision’s confident ambition for colleges to serve future needs, outlining convincingly and systematically the actions to make the successful reality of handling the future ahead of us all. It sets a strong future destination and moves the sector into a powerful system of working together in co-operation.

We congratulate the Commissioners and are excited about all the possibilities this holds for the future and strongly commend its adoption to you.

Ricky McMenemy, FETL Chair


Vision for the future of colleges launched by Independent Commission

Today, the Independent Commission on the College of the Future launches its vision for the future of colleges across the UK: a new bold and ambitious strategic remit for colleges to empower people with opportunities for lifelong learning and support, to boost productivity, and to strengthen every community’s sense of place. The Commission believes there is an urgent need to reaffirm the role that colleges play in the education and skills system and that systemic change is needed to unlock the full potential of colleges to meet the challenges we face, from the impact of COVID-19 to climate change.

The vision is launched in a video and new report People, productivity and place: a new vision for colleges, which is accompanied by a collection of short essays from leading voices from across the education and skills system who are united in the transformative role that colleges can play and are calling for greater collaboration across the education system. Authors include Geoff Barton (General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders), Lord Bob Kerslake (Former Head of the Civil Service) and Mary Curnock Cook OBE (Former Chief Executive of UCAS).

The Commission started by asking what we want and need from the future. Their conversation now moves on to how to realise this vision in each of the four nations. Get in touch with Commission Director, Lewis Cooper, to discuss your involvement.

Download the report by clicking here