"NUS should lobby the government to provide more funding for practical courses so institutions can provide additional practical learning to make up for missed lessons as an effect from Coronavirus."
We have been working with students and the University to identify the support everyone needs to achieve the very best in their degrees. From resources to practical sessions, we have there is a huge gap in funding for students. Whilst the Covid Support Fund has been available for UCB students, the government should be doing more!
"Since the beginning of the year we have been gathering feedback and listening to students’ voices and we have been working as a Guild work towards the NUS’ Students Deserve Better campaign. We have met up with other Students' Unions in Birmingham, where we decided to lobby the government.
Reflecting on my own experiences as a student, last summer's lockdown meant that I missed practical sessions and didn’t have the opportunity to finish the most significant part of my portfolio, my FMP. Students should not be in this position and should leave University with everything they need to be successful in their careers! Although the University can give facilities when the government guidance allows, this costs money and we believe this should be funded by the government, in the same way hospitality and other areas have been supported.
We've therefore submitted a to NUS Conference gain wider support in the student movement." Alice Young (UCB Guild Vice-President) on the Guild's NUS Motion
The Motion submitted to NUS Conference for UCB Students and the student movement reads:
"NUS should lobby the government to provide more funding for practical courses so institutions can provide additional practical learning to make up for missed lessons as an effect from Coronavirus."
- Students should be given additional practical learning to ensure they are ‘ready’ to enter the workplace following University and College safely.
- For nearly a year, students have been missing practical learning due to the restrictions of Coronavirus. They sign up to do a practical course/degree and institutions have not provided that. Students are not comfortable and have had enough practical time to be ready for their career after University and College. Students do not feel safe practising in their fields after missing out on crucial practical learning lessons. Practical learning is vital as it prepares our students to enter the workplace. Sports therapists, bakers, prosthetics makeup artists, aesthetics students, and many others are expected to enter the workplace, safely, without being given the necessary practical learning.
- The government should provide more funding for practical courses so institutions can put on additional learning lesson in the following years and over the summer for students who have graduated during Coronavirus. This will mean students can enter the workplace happy and confident with the training to do so safely. Customers will be able to benefit from the services provided by our students without the worry of them being inadequately trained because of Coronavirus.