Links must be strengthened or formed with the community education staff, voluntary organisations, Careers Service Companies, Adult Guidance networks etc. Investment must be made in student guidance, support, retention and achievement. College environments should be pleasant to attend and courses provided in the evenings, at weekends and during the summer, with easy access for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Development of technology to provide access provision without actual attendance. Links with community education to draw attention to new or less confident learners.
Transferable skills are a crucial element of the curriculum at access and advanced levels.
Library, ICT, multi-media learning resource centres and guidance suites enhance lifelong learning. Teaching should be skilled and appropriate to the learning outcomes pursued. Boards of Management need to be open, accessible, approachable, effective and adhere to the principles and processes of openness and accountability for public funds. Emphasis placed on improving collaboration between colleges and eliminating needless competition. Joint staff development activites should be explored and mechanisms should be developed by colleges, with the ASC, for dissemination of best practice in collaboration.