UCU: HE provision in FE colleges

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes:
1. FE institutions are increasingly offering HE courses. These are often written and delivered by college staff but accredited by universities.
2. FE institutions appear to be taking on the trappings of HE, without improving the terms and conditions of employment of those delivering the provision.
3. HE in FE staff are generally as qualified and experienced as their colleagues working in universities.
4. HE in FE staff usually have almost double the contact time than their HE counterparts and their specialisms are under-valued.
5. Academic and Professional Development and engagement with the academic community are particularly difficult.
Conference asks the FEC to:
a. Commission research or conduct a Freedom of Information request into the volume and type of HE provision being offered in FE institutions.
b. Support a campaign as part of the Professional Respect charter to improve HE in FE staff terms, conditions and pay to work towards parity with HE counterparts.