The University and College Union (UCU) has launched ‘Education. It’s Ours’, a national campaign calling for greater investment in post-16 education and improved working conditions for staff. The campaign highlights the challenges facing Further Education, including funding pressures, increasing workloads and difficulties recruiting and retaining experienced educators.
At the heart of the campaign are four key demands: pay parity with schoolteachers, sustainable long-term funding, manageable workloads and consistent sector-wide standards for pay and working conditions. UCU argues that years of financial pressure have placed increasing strain on colleges, adult education and prison education, with consequences for both staff and learners.
Beyond pay and working conditions, the campaign also seeks to raise awareness of the wider importance of Further Education. From helping young people develop vocational skills and enter employment to providing adults with opportunities to retrain, FE plays a vital role in supporting individuals, communities and the wider economy.
UCU is encouraging educators, students and supporters to share their experiences and contribute to the discussion about the future of the sector.
Find out more about the campaign, its objectives and how to get involved: