National talks are ongoing, and we hope a resolution will be found soon, but we have been informed that the dispute will continue into the new session which starts in August 2024. Some EIS members are planning strike action on the following days:
- Tuesday 20 August
- Wednesday 21 August
- Thursday 22 August
- Tuesday 27 August
- Thursday 29 August
- Friday 30 August
Some lecturers are also undertaking Action Short of Strike (ASOS) - working only contracted hours and withholding student results from college systems which prevents the result being forwarded to the awarding body e.g. SQA.
Session 2023-24 – information for students waiting for results and/or requiring to complete course work from last session:
- When will I get my results/certificate - If you are still waiting on your results from last session, you can ask for a verbal confirmation from your lecturer. If your lecturer has already told you your results, these will be processed as soon as the dispute is resolved, and you will receive your certificate after that.
- How can I complete any outstanding work from last year? The College is committed to ensuring you have the opportunity to complete any outstanding work at the earliest opportunity. Your course leader CQL will be in touch with you to explain how and when you can complete any outstanding work. If you are progressing with us on a course in session 2024-25, this may be undertaken during the year. In some other cases you may be offered a catch up class at another time.
- I need my results and certificate to progress to University. The College has been working with Universities to ensure students can progress to degree courses. The University will be in touch with us if they need any information about your progress and you can contact them if needed.
- I need my results and certificate to start or stay in employment. We will continue to keep employers informed of the situation and work with them to help you progress. Whenever the dispute is resolved, we will let you know your results at the earliest opportunity. Your employer can contact us if they need more information.
- Will I still graduate? The College will be extending a Graduation invitation in good faith to all eligible students assuming you’ve successfully completed your course. If we receive confirmation after the national dispute is resolved, that you have not yet achieved your award, you will unfortunately not be able to attend graduation. If you are returning in August 2024 to complete your HN, you will be invited to attend Graduation in 2025. The Graduation Team will work with teaching staff to make sure that you are notified accordingly.
Session 2024-25 – Information for new or progressing students
When will my course start?
- All full time courses are scheduled to start during the week beginning 26th August 2024. Your timetable will indicate the first day on which you should attend. Not all staff are taking part in industrial action and many courses will start that week but if yours is to be delayed or have a reduced attendance, we will aim to ensure you are informed in advance. It can be difficult, however to be certain which lecturers may choose to participate in the strike action. We aim to minimise any disruption to the start of your course and you will receive your student support funding even if your class does not run due to strike action.
How will I catch up on any missed classes?
- We know that many of you will be concerned about how strike action may affect you and depending on your timetabled days, you may miss classes. We encourage you to attend College for any classes on days when there are not strikes, or when your lecturer lets you know that they are going to be taking the class (not all lecturers will be on strike). Try your best to keep up to date with course work and assessment where you can. Once the National dispute is resolved and if it is feasible to do so, we will look to reschedule assessments and any critical learning time for you.
Progressing Students
West College Scotland want to support you to continue to study with us. We recognise that for some of you, your learning has been disrupted by industrial action in the last academic year and we will support you to continue to progress your studies with us this coming year.
Supporting your wellbeing
We want to assure you that we will do everything we can to minimise the impact of the industrial action on your studies and know that many of you will be concerned about how this may affect you.
Supporting our students’ wellbeing is of upmost importance to us. Please remember that the Wellbeing Service remains available while you remain enrolled in a course.
Updates
Please regularly check the news section of our website, My West and follow us on social media for updates.