News: Nottingham College Supports ​“Love Our Colleges” Week

Over the last ten years, colleges have had to deal with an average funding cut of 30%, whilst at the same time, costs (including pensions) have increased dramatically. This has resulted in a drastic drop in learning opportunities for adults, fewer hours of teaching and support for young people, and teacher’s pay at less than 80% of schools and support staff seeing no increase in pay for several years. A September 2018 Institute for Fiscal Studies report described further education as ​‘the biggest loser’ in education over the last 25 years.

Mr van de Laarschot, said: 

“Colleges like ours transform people’s lives and help people of all ages and backgrounds to make the most of their talents and ambitions through top-class technical education, basic skills and lifelong learning. Deeply rooted in local communities and with broad and deep links to local employers, Further Education Colleges play a crucial role in driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economic competitiveness.

That’s why I’m calling on the Government to increase 16 – 19 funding by 5% a year for 5 years and to provide exceptional funding, ring-fenced, for teacher pay.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said: 

“Every single day colleges like Nottingham College provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people.

Colleges Week is an opportunity to celebrate the brilliant things that go on and a chance to showcase the brilliant staff that make it possible. It is simple, if we want a world-class education system then we need to properly invest in it.”

The ​‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign is a partnership between Association of Colleges (AoC), National Union of Students (NUS), Association of College and School Leaders (ASCL), University and Colleges Union (UCU), Unison, GMB, TUC and National Education Union (NEU).