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Survey Says 'Colleges as Key to UK plc as Universities'

14 April 2006

Colleges teach the majority of vocational courses in the UK and in a new ICM survey, 82% of South East respondents said that successful further education colleges are as important to the competitiveness of businesses in the UK as successful universities. Ann Smith, Principal of City College and winner of the Sussex Businessperson of the Year Award 2004 says:

'Colleges are focussed on delivering training linked to local market need and it's clear from this survey that the public increasingly appreciates that. City College works closely with its local employers on collaborative and innovative projects to deliver skilled trainees to the workforce in all the priority sectors alongside its core curriculum offer."

Dr John Brennan, Association of Colleges Chief Executive, said:

'Colleges are the backbone of British business. They provide the skills for a successful society. This survey shows that the British public is fully aware of how important colleges are to both local and national economies. It also adds credibility to the argument that a university degree is not always as valuable as a vocational skill. It's a pity that public opinion contrasts strongly with current Government funding plans for adult learning in England, which provide extra funding for schools and universities while forcing colleges to introduce cuts and price hikes. In addition, colleges currently receive at least 10% less funding than a school for teaching the same courses ? a shortfall of £500,000 for the average college.'

In the new survey, 61% of South East respondents agreed that cuts to courses for adults would have a negative effect on the local economy and 78% said that colleges should receive the same funding as schools to teach the same courses to teenagers. 73% agreed that a college will be a more suitable place than a school to study and acquire skills for many teenagers.

The AoC has launched an online petition to protect adult learning and to call for an end to the funding gap between schools and colleges. The petition and full survey results can be found on the AoC website: www.aoc.co.uk

For further information, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year over 2000 full-time and 13,000 part time students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their education provider. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.

About ICM Research: ICM is one of the UK's leading market research companies. It offers polling, focus groups and telephone surveys in various specialist areas.