Blog: We ’ re demanding that the government stand up for further education

Our Further Education system is one of our nation’s greatest resources. Year after year, colleges provide incredible support to our communities. From top-class technical education to basic skills and lifelong learning, colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds to make the most of their talents and ambitions. Colleges matter – yet these incredible institutions, and the amazing public service workers who work in them, aren’t getting the support they need to thrive. Quite the opposite. Their funding has been slashed by 30% over the past decade and staff in further education have seen the value of staff pay fall by a quarter. All of which means less support, with an inevitable and negative impact on further education students, and on society as a whole. That’s why UNISON is joining with other education unions, students and colleges to demand a better deal for colleges – with fair funding and fair pay. We’re calling on the government to: Increase college funding to sustainable levels, including but not limited to: Increasing the 16-19 funding rate by 5% a year for the next 5 years, and extending the pupil premium to cover post-16 students. Fully funding a National Retraining Scheme to support level 3 to 5 skills. Introducing a lifetime learning entitlement to fund skills training for all adults who have not previously achieved a level 3 qualification. Provide immediate exceptional funding, ring-fenced for pay, to cover the costs of a fair pay deal for coll...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News further education Source Type: news