Latest Partnership Demonstrates The Strength Of IM’s Education Credentials

The Employment team within the Birmingham office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell has secured a legal partnership with membership organisation the Association of Colleges (AoC) after a competitive pitch.
 
The contract will see Irwin Mitchell become the only law firm recommended to AoC members from an employment law perspective. As part of the agreement the team will also deliver a key note speech at the Association’s annual HR Conference and exhibition on Wednesday 9th March 2016 and will support a programme of specific employment law training across the country over the coming months.

Commenting on the partnership, National Head of Employment Fergal Dowling said:

Expert Opinion

“The Association of Colleges is a leading organisation in the education sector, doing some fantastic work supporting, representing and promoting the further education sector, and we are delighted to be awarded this important legal role partnering with them. This is a great opportunity for the team nationally to further strengthen our experience within the education sector and expand our already extensive FE client base.” Fergal Dowling - Partner & Director of Legal Services (Commercial Advisory ＆ Disputes)

AoC is a not-for-profit membership organisation set up in 1996 by colleges to act as their collective voice. Today, AoC’s membership includes 96% of eligible further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges. It influences Government and its agencies on policies affecting colleges and their students and staff at national and regional levels. It provide members with professional support services, which include expert advice and services for employment, communications, health and safety, governance and teaching and learning.

Further education colleges provide high-quality technical and professional education and training for young people, adults and employers. They provide over three million students with valuable employability skills, helping to develop their career opportunities and strengthen the local, regional and national economy. There are 297,000 people on apprenticeship provision in colleges and the average college trains 1,200 apprentices. From basic skills to postgraduate degrees, colleges offer academic and vocational teaching in a range of professions including engineering, hospitality, IT, construction and the creative arts.