Possible conflict between colleges and schools?

The TES reported this week (Joseph Lee page 3 of FEFocus) that Colleges are calling for the power to take over the Diploma for 14 year olds and recruit them directly.

Good thing or bad thing?  My view is that short term it would be really bad as Colleges have pretty much failed to either recruit or direct students to Diploma courses - only 1500 students on level 1 for example.  So why give a college more power to direct students away from diplomas?

Long term however, it has to be a very good thing.  there's no doubt there would a significant number of 14 year olds who would benefit from a college environment and do better than at school. 

I just think that to get into a position of "power" you have to show significant levels of support in the first place.