AoC CONFERENCE
The AoC Conference took place at the end of November. Speaking at the
conference, Secretary of State for Education, Estelle Morris, emphasised
the centrality of FE to the government’s economic and social priorities.
She recognised the responsiveness of FE to the needs of society, and
its cradle to grave approach. Priorities over the next four years would
include:
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14-19 education, with consultation taking place early in 2002 on
the structure of vocational qualifications and funding structures.
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access to HE, aiming to raise the overall attendance rate of 18-30
year olds to 50% whilst widening participation.
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basic skills
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improving skills.
Morris committed the DfES to establish a leadership and management
college for FE, reduce the complexity of FE funding and to cut the need
to bid for funds.
LSC Chief Executive John Harwood reported that there had been a rise
of 300,000 in student numbers in the sector and an increase in work
based learning provision in colleges by 13%. There were about 70 colleges
still experiencing financial problems.
ACM Members’ Helpline
Just a reminder that ACM’s new employment relations helpline is
now in operation. Members with any kind of work related problem can
phone, fax or e-mail the helpline to receive advice, guidance or information.
Our helpline staff are experts in employment relations, having an in-depth
knowledge of the law, including workplace issues such as grievance,
discipline, redundancy, discrimination, harassment, and contracts of
employment.
Members are asked to make the helpline their first point of contact
with ACM for all employment related problems. In many cases, we will
be able to offer immediate help. Alternatively, we will refer you to
one of ACM’s caseworkers who will be able to represent you directly
at your workplace. (Please note: to have free access to a caseworker,
members must have three months continuous membership).
All calls to the helpline will be dealt with confidentially. The helpline
is open from 9.30am until 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of these
hours an answerphone is available.Alternatively, members can contact
the helpline by fax or e-mail.
Further information is available from the ACM web site www.acm.uk.com
The contact details are set out below:
tel: 0116 285 4055E
mail:helpline@acm.uk.com
fax: 0116 255 0548
ANNUAL TRAVEL INSURANCE
In conjunction with Philip Williams & Company, a specialist affinity
group broker, we are now able to offer to our members an annual travel
insurance policy at a very affordable premium.
You can cover yourself, your partner and any number of dependant children
under the age of 21 years. It is not a requirement that the member should
be travelling with the partner for the policy to be effective. However,
children are only covered when travelling with either the member or
the partner. Cover is comprehensive and includes:
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£5million medical expenses
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£3,000 cancellation & curtailment
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£2million personal liability
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£20,000 personal accident
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£1,500 baggage & personal effects
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£500 personal money
These limits are well tried and tested on a range of other affinity
groups such as the Police Service, Immigration Service, BMA etc and
are considered to provide an adequate level of cover for most travellers.
The cover extends to worldwide travel but also includes travel in the
United Kingdom providing accommodation is pre booked for one night or
an aeroplane trip is involved. Obviously there would be no medical cover
in the UK as this is provided by the NHS.
We appreciate that there will be single members, couples and families
and have managed to secure a choice of premiums to reflect that.
Premiums are collected by quarterly direct debit by Philip Williams
& Company and will be:
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Single £12.50 per quarter
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Couple £15.00 per quarter
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Family £16.25 per quarter
If you need convincing that this is a very good deal then check for
yourselves how much these policies cost on the high street. Many banks
and high street traders are now selling policies at premiums of around
£150.