Who we are.
The Association of LCR Colleges was established in the early 2000s to develop collaborative ways of working.
We work closely with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority to shape the Long-Term Skills Strategy and meet the needs of our ‘devolved’ skills administration.
The six FE Colleges we represent, work closely with hundreds of employers to design, deliver and assess innovative, industry-led education and training solutions. Individually serving their local community, whilst working collaboratively to grasp opportunities and solve challenges. The AoLCRC works strategically, to support our FE Colleges and serve our wider community.
Our Further Education (FE) Colleges are at the heart of the educational landscape, providing pathways to employment, promoting social mobility, and helping to create a skilled workforce that supports the ambitious plans of Liverpool City Region (LCR).
Our colleges recognise the power of collaboration and have worked together on many projects, particularly engaging with employers from many different sectors, to support economic growth through the design and delivery of relevant, innovative education and skills.
Sue Higginson
Our FE Colleges have learning centres across the Liverpool City Region.
What we do.
By creating strong partnerships between education, industry and wider community stakeholders, our FE Colleges design and deliver education and skills that are essential to the socio-economic development of the Liverpool City Region.
16 - 18 year old's who continue eduction at College
Adults aged 19 and over, return to learn and up skill at College
Employers that work with their local college, to help them recruit new employees
Apprentices in a wide range of Apprenticeship Standards
Students that have declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities are individually supported by our colleges.
Who we serve.
In addition to the many organisations that play a part in supporting the education and skills sector, we work strategically, with:
We have hundreds of strategic, employer partnerships and we are committed to the design and delivery of education and skills that meets the needs of employers and helps our students develop and aspire to obtain the jobs that build a successful economy, for our City Region.
Our Colleges work with Chambers of Commerce to engage and support the Local Skills Improvement Plan.
Local Authorities
Each of our colleges has a key, strategic role to play within their own Local Authority area, to meet local skills needs.
Every sector area is represented in the curriculum offer provided by our FE Colleges, at Level 1-3 for Further Education and Levels 4 and above for Higher Education (HE)
Our colleges have good partnerships with HE providers and they offer a range of HE / Degree programmes, linked to career pathways, that enables adults to study locally. Colleges also have courses that prepare adults for HE level, creating career pathways leading to higher level job opportunities.
Schools
Thousands of young people choose their FE College to continue their education at 16; Colleges work closely with schools to provide effective pathways to support their progression, which is underpinned by good quality, independent careers education and advice.
Our Colleges are the largest provider in LCR of education and training for people with special educational needs with thousands receiving bespoke support and 4% of our students overall, have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Our colleges work to support each of those students through individualised support to meet their needs.
Mark Burrows
Chair of Vice Principal Group; Association of LCR Colleges
Our Curriculum.
By creating strong partnerships between education, industry and wider community stakeholders, our FE Colleges design and deliver education and skills that are essential to the socio-economic development of the Liverpool City Region.
The curriculum provided by each college includes full and part-time courses, apprenticeships and in many cases other programmes such as ‘Boot Camps’. The curriculum therefore reflects the breadth of levels and support required to meet the diverse needs of their local communities.This ranges from basic education at pre-GCSE level, to Higher Education, to include degree and post-graduate levels, in partnership with Universities.
Our colleges work in all of the key industry sectors and information, advice and guidance is provided free of charge, within all of our colleges, to enable people to explore the many career options our City Region has to offer.
Visit LCR Careers Hub
Visit BeMore
Strategic Partnerships.
Employer Links
One of the key functions of our FE colleges is to create a curriculum that serves local employers in all industry sectors. This is particularly important in a rapidly changing job market, where new technologies and practices are constantly evolving. Employers contribute to the design and delivery of curriculum, providing Master Classes, Work-Placements and contributing to curriculum design.
By working with employers in every industry sector, our colleges create pathways to employment, so that employers can recruit and upskill their workforce to reflect ever changing needs and technological advancements. Check out some of the examples of how we have worked with employers, to meet the needs of their industries and the local people who we support to access the opportunities they provide.
School Links
Each of our Colleges have strong links with schools. They provide continuing education and training for young people aged 16-18, who can choose to access their ‘sixth form’ provision at college. Working with schools many years before pupils make their years 12/13 choices, colleges provide a series of events bespoke for schools and more general open days, to enable young people to explore their options and make the right career choice for them.
In addition to organised open events, all colleges provide information, advice and guidance to help pupils and their parents, make this important decision.
University Links
Our Colleges deliver both Further Education (FE) which is up to Level 3 and Higher Education (HE), from Level 4 and above. Working in partnership with a number of Universities, our colleges provide opportunities for people to study HE, at their local college. Recognising that many adults wish to access careers that require higher levels of education, colleges also provide ‘Access to HE’ programmes, so that people who do not have the traditional entry requirements, or level of education to progress into HE, have a pathway that, with support, enables them to do so.
Strategic Partnerships
Our FE Colleges are Public Sector Organisations, funding directly by the Government to deliver education and training for young people (age 16-18). As a devolved area, the Liverpool City Region is responsible for the funding of adult education and skills and each college plays a part in the design and delivery of that, working directly for the LCR Combined Authority, as the core funder of adult skills.
In addition to the delivery of each college’s extensive core curriculum, the Liverpool City Region, and sometimes other Government Agencies, target particular opportunities to meet ambitious socio-economic plans. This often requires a collaborative approach and as part of the AoLCRC, our colleges have many examples of creating innovative developments that, through collaboration, have provided efficient skills solutions, particularly in the area of cleaner and greener energy.
An example of collaboration to support our LCR Zero Carbon target.
Funded by the Strategic Development Fund.
