At onlyFE, we’ve been proudly championing the FE sector since 2013 and the people who make it work — from lecturers and learning support assistants to administrators and technicians. FE is a vital part of the UK’s education system, opening doors for young people, adult learners, career changers, and those seeking a second chance.
But behind the scenes, the reality for many FE staff is increasingly unsustainable.
That’s why we’re throwing our support behind the UCU’s “New Deal for FE” campaign — an urgent call for change that puts fair pay, job security, manageable workloads, and genuine professional respect at the heart of further education.
What’s the Problem?
Further Education professionals are passionate, committed, and resilient — but they’re also under immense pressure. In recent years, staff have seen:
• Pay fall by more than 30% in real terms since 2009
• A rise in insecure and casual contracts
• Increased workloads and longer hours
• A growing gap between school and college pay, despite similar expectations
FE staff do this work because they believe in it. But belief alone doesn’t pay the bills — and the sector is at risk of losing talented people because working conditions simply aren’t sustainable.
What’s the New Deal for FE?
The campaign is about four key pillars:
1. Fair Pay – A call for meaningful salary increases that reflect the real cost of living and close the gap with school teachers.
2. Workload Justice – Ensuring staff have time to plan, support students, and maintain their wellbeing.
3. Secure Contracts – Ending the reliance on casual and temporary roles, so that staff can build stable careers in FE.
4. Professional Respect – Recognising FE workers as the skilled professionals they are, and involving them in decision-making at every level.
Why It Matters
When FE staff are undervalued, students lose out. Burnout, staff turnover, and low morale directly impact the learner experience and the sector’s ability to deliver high-quality education.
At onlyFE, we believe staff wellbeing is student success. Supporting this campaign is about more than fair treatment — it’s about building a stronger, more effective FE system for everyone.
How You Can Support the Campaign
Whether you’re working in the sector or recruiting into it, this affects us all. Here’s how you can get involved:
• Visit ucu.org.uk/NewDealForFE to read the full campaign details
• Share the message using #NewDealForFE on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), or your own networks
• Talk to your colleagues about it and encourage your organisation to show support
• If you’re a college leader, consider how your institution can contribute to better working conditions and engage with staff constructively
Further Education changes lives. Let’s make sure we’re valuing the people who deliver it.