The Association of Colleges was created in 1996 as the single voice to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales.

The Association provides a broad range of services to its subscribers. It represents their interests locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The management, split into various directorates, provides a pool of expertise on which the sector draws.

AoC exists as the essential, influencing voice of colleges in order to:

• Develop and promote an environment in which colleges can flourish.
  
• Ensure that colleges are recognised as major contributors to the economic and social prosperity of the nation.
  
• Champion and promote colleges as key to the development of people, skills and knowledge for the nation.