The keystones for provision in the new era of Further Education will be flexibility of response, open access, equality of opportunity, and valuing and accrediting alternative ways of learning – all linked together within the concepts of providing life-long learning opportunities. The provision of APL, along with the support services needed to ensure its success, can be used as the `acid test’ of whether a college is truly open and accessible to a variety of learners. Written by an experienced manager, this book offers invaluable advice for other managers and senior staff engaged in transforming their colleges to meet students’ needs.