Alison Chapman (City College Plymouth)

Election address

It is a common refrain as an FE member to feel that your voice is the smallest.  Newsprint, commentators and politicians talk about schools and universities but who stands up for the diversity of skills and experiences that is the FE membership?  The terms, conditions and needs of our members are as diverse as the people and courses we teach, one size does not fit all. COVID and our members' response to online vs in-College work has shown us that the union has a complex workplace to negotiate when we are campaigning. 

Starting FE life 20 years ago as:

• community educator
• SEN Learning Support Assistant
• Functional Skills tutor
• now a FT Business teacher and personal tutor, helps you view issues through a members' lens.

More much still, do you live in the places that most politicians (and therefore money) don't reach? FE South is a special place: yes, it's a beautiful set of counties to live in but our members and students are also living and working in some of England's most deprived counties, and that hurts.  Democracy is also a pretty difficult pastime: our members in the South West peninsula travel the farthest to their regional hub and also double that to national meetings. In short, it takes someone who works hard at communication and who really cares to be on the NEC.

I am seeking re-election after serving as:

• FE South NEC rep for 3 years
• My branch officer since NATFHE (over 15 yrs)
• Chair of the FE Sector Regional Committee
• Member (now Chair) of the Education Committee 
• Regular Congress delegate
• Labour Party activist

Despite the challenges regional solidarity poses, we are a strong, vibrant and active bunch.  I am lucky enough to be able to hear what's going on in Cornwall, rural Devon up to Bristol, Bath and beyond.  This is a strong dialogue, where voices can be heard, listened to and represented at national level. Motions about SEN teaching in COVID, online learning challenges, proper CPD have been moved at the FEC from the region, as well as tight networking on COVID wins, disputes; best practice shared and activism nurtured.  Unionism is strongest at root and branch and the regional role is the hub of this work. I also endorse Stewart Fraser of Swindon, whose work as a strong negotiator and regional voice will serve members well.