The AoC (Association of Colleges) Beacon Awards 2008/2009 will be launched at a reception in Westminster in May. 

Edexcel is proud to be involved with the Awards again, sponsoring the Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning. This award is open to all colleges of further education and sixth form colleges that have made specific provision to attract adults to continue their education.

The Award will be given in recognition of effective and imaginative approaches to motivate adult learners.
The judges will be looking for evidence that colleges have:

• encouraged the enrolment of adults who have not previously engaged in programmes of study
  
• enabled adults to complete programmes of study successfully and encouraged progression to further learning opportunities
  
• provided innovative learning materials which motivate adult learners

The AoC Beacon Awards were set up by The Partnership Trust in 1994. Since August 1996, they have been administered by the Association of Colleges. The AoC Beacon Awards are run through the AoC Charitable Trust, which is a registered charity.

The closing date for applications for the AoC Beacon Award is 23 July 2008. Details on how to enter can be found on the AoC website.

The winner of the 2007/08 Edexcel Award for Lifelong Learning was Chichester College.