AoC response to EU referendum result

Responding to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union referendum, Martin Doel, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Whatever the future holds for Britain once it leaves the EU, colleges and their students must be properly supported. They are, and must continue to be, at the forefront of providing education and training to ensure people are skilled and that companies stay competitive. “Colleges are currently planning their budgets for 2016-17 and uncertainty over the future of their funding leaves them unable to plan accurately for the coming year. The Government must make it clear as soon as possible how it will continue to fund education and training for the good of everyone. “Specific areas of concern relate to the money pledged for training via the European Social Fund and the Skills Minister Nick Boles' comments that the apprenticeship levy may need to be postponed. In an uncertain world, the Government needs to prioritise spending on education and training."