The AoC Beacon Awards Programme was launched in 1994 to recognises and promote the interdependence of further education colleges. The award is supported by the AoC short for the Association of Colleges which represents all FE colleges in England and Wales. There are altogether over 60 sponsors for the award.
Since 1994 there have been 2,850 applicants for the Beacon Awards and there have been just over 250 awards.