What is the issue conference is looking at? 

Time to Study 

Which Students’ Unions have been involved in proposing? 

National Society of Apprentices (NSoA) 

What’s the issue and how does it affect students? 

Across the UK, apprentices sign up to study and work in the hopes of getting a qualification and on the job experience. We can't really say that this is the case. Apprentices are given 20% of their on the job time to be spent on studying across the UK, except for Scotland. We are supposed to fit our learning wherever it is convenient - when was the last time an employer felt it was convenient for an employee to be doing anything that isn't the tasks meant to be completed by the team? 

What changes would we like to see in society to change this? 

The option of a day release format of learning provided for all students to ensure that they receive time to learn regardless of industry or college placement. 

Impact Assessment 

How does it impact FE students / Apprentices?   

Apprenticeship learning quality will improve drastically with assessors in Scotland able to gather all apprentices under their care together. Apprentices mental health will improve by having the option to meet other apprentices to work together and feel less isolated. There are a number of additional benefits that come to mind. 

How does it impact on International Students, Postgraduate Students, Part Time and Mature Students? 

Those who have caring responsibilities, health appointments, people of faith, basically anyone who has any form of responsibility outside of working hours receives no additional support but has significantly less time than those privileged enough to find themselves with a support network and the strange concept of free time. 

How does it impact on black, disabled, LGBT+, trans and women students? 

Those who have caring responsibilities, health appointments, people of faith, basically anyone who has any form of responsibility outside of working hours receives no additional support but has significantly less time than those privileged enough to find themselves with a support network and the strange concept of free time. 

Does this apply across the UK or specifically in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? 

This applies to Scotland which in this case is the most disadvantaged with no required minimum on the job learning, but can also be applied to the rest of the UK as not all apprentices receive the legislated amount of time to learn as they should.