The success of Scotland's further education sector

The success of Scotland's further education sector will depend on a productive working relationship between the Association of Scottish Colleges and the proposed new Scottish Further Education Funding Council, according to David Melville, chief executive of England's Further Education Funding Council.

Both have a key role in dispelling prejudices and continually persuading government that colleges can deliver what the nation as well as individuals need, Professor Melville told the ASC.

The FEFC and Association of Colleges south of the border have separate yet complementary approaches, he said, with the FEFC giving ministers confidential advice and becoming involved in detailed bargaining, while the AoC could "fly kites" in public on the sector's needs.