The college sector in the UK is diverse and dynamic, comprising general and tertiary further education colleges, sixth form colleges and specialist colleges. Over the next decade the sector will face many challenges. Public funding is likely to be cut but colleges will be expected to play a major role in developing the employment skills needed by the workforce to enable the UK to be competitive in global markets, while also continuing to help strengthen local communities.

How colleges respond to these challenges will go a long way to determining the shape of the college system and the nature of individual colleges in 2020.