Students have welcomed plans for “colleges of the future” after an independent report.

The Independent Commission on the College of the Future released their vision for the College of the Future, calling for further education colleges to drive a green economic recovery and better living standards.

The report claims colleges should be a touchpoint for everyone throughout their lives as the world changes, provide strategic advice and support for employers and play an even greater role in fostering healthy and better connected communities.

Salsabeel Elmegri, NUS’ Vice President (Further Education), said:

NUS welcomes this new vision for the College of the Future. Colleges play a central role in their communities and as we begin to build the ‘new normal’ for our society after the Coronavirus pandemic we need to ensure they are able to thrive, providing access to education and skills for all.

As the report sets out, the college of the future must have strong students’ unions to enable individuals to develop as both learners and citizens.

This means both proper funding for SUs and other learner voice activities, and support for individuals to access college in the first place, whether improved transport links, adjustments for disabled learners or proper maintenance and childcare funding.