Wales Funding Campaign
ACM-AMiE took a leading role in the joint union campaign in Wales against the Assembly Government's funding allocation for 14-19 provision. Many FE colleges and some school sixth forms faced big cuts which will lead to widescale redundancies.
Following the campaign, on 16 April Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths announced an additional 8.93 million for Further Education Institutions (FEIs) and sixth forms in Wales.
The effect of this additional allocation is that, in almost every case, FEIs and local authority sixth form provision will be funded at or above the same level for 09/10 as they were for 08/09. With the economic downturn being likely to lead to an increase in demand for post-16 training and adult training places, the extra support will provide funding for at least a further 2,500 places for young people and adults at FE institutions and school sixth forms.
In a good natured and clearly effective joint union campaign, AMiE Members joined lunchtime protests to draw attention to the effects of the original funding settlement, and then took their message direct to WAG on 1 April.
Commenting on the success of the campaign, Brian Thornton, AMiE’s Wales Officer said, “Our widely supported campaign has brought the Welsh Assembly Government to its senses. Further education has stood up for itself, and our voice has been heard.”
The lobby of the Welsh Assembly Government was held on 1 April. Addressing the hundred's of staff and students taking part on the impact of the cuts, AMiE member and secretary of our Swansea branch, Beverley Wilson-Smith (pictured above) said, "The consequences of such decisions will exacerbate and seriously hamper the recovery of the Welsh economy. This impacts the very sector that can support the people in the communities of Wales and prepare the workforce to help the country move out of this recession. The sector that can provide people with a second chance and a better future!.." You can read Beverley's full speech on our campaign news page.
The WAG demonstration and lobby followed earlier demonstrations at a number of key FE colleges affetced by the cuts (see picture below):
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