Yep, my son found this when he went to Uni. Only he & one other lad knew how to use a bunsen & others all had to have several sessions of tutoring using lab equipment
"3.3% is a good deal !"
- Thread starter BlackPud
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We were just thrown in the cold water at Uni
Here is your lab equipment, here are the chemicals, you get on and find out what's in your analysis pot, give your first results in in two days the latest, otherwise you will run out of time towards the end and won't be able to finish the course. 2 phd students/researchers supervising a lab of 80 students. It was special.
So I have an idea about how could win in the negotiations, but we would have to play a long game.
We point out that if we walk out and new technicians aren't brought in, then the kids won't develop any interest in Science. Unless every school has a teacher with the pull of Robin Williams in "Dead Poet's Society" in Science, that they will grow up and see Science as a boring subject that never held their attention. Some might go into the subject for money, but most won't.
We then explain how this grows. Imagine a few years down the line, when graduating classes from Science subjects are severely down. A few more years and roles are disappearing and can't be replaced due to the lack of graduates with the skill. Britain, so often at the forefront of Scientific Breakthrough and discovery, is now lacking behind the rest of the world and isn't going to be getting back there
Could work
We point out that if we walk out and new technicians aren't brought in, then the kids won't develop any interest in Science. Unless every school has a teacher with the pull of Robin Williams in "Dead Poet's Society" in Science, that they will grow up and see Science as a boring subject that never held their attention. Some might go into the subject for money, but most won't.
We then explain how this grows. Imagine a few years down the line, when graduating classes from Science subjects are severely down. A few more years and roles are disappearing and can't be replaced due to the lack of graduates with the skill. Britain, so often at the forefront of Scientific Breakthrough and discovery, is now lacking behind the rest of the world and isn't going to be getting back there
Could work
The thing is, I don't think the government need to be convinced of the value of science technicians in schools. They aren't stupid, and they do want to improve public sector pay, Labour are the party most committed to this regardless of what anyone might say about individual leaders. The issue is that there is a very limited budget available to solve the problem and the public always wants the things that are most visible paid for above all else. To negotiate with a government, you must convince the public that it is an issue, not tell ministers why it would help in the long-term. I'm not saying that this is an easy task, nor that striking wouldn't necessarily help to do so (though I still think the costs are greater than the benefits), but ministers aren't the ones who need convincing here.
To go back to "what can we do to inact change?" the answer in all truth is probably to look for work elsewhere.
I have asked to go full time in my current role, was told there wouldn't be any need to do so and funding won't allow, I said what about reducing my hours so I can look for another job alongside this one, was told that wouldn't be possible as well, I am literally trapped in this job.
We all know that there really is no career progression, the pay is abysmal, and we can argue with the government over a pittance every few years, and have the same arguments and discussions further down the line for a pay increase that doesn't even cover inflation. We are losing out by staying in the role.
As a supplementary wage to a household, it is probably pretty good, but as a single man in my late 20s looking to get my own place and start a family, this wage doesn't cut it and it never will unless we somehow bargain for >40k annually, which is never going to happen.
We can argue about the 3.3% increase, but I'm going to get a different job.
I have asked to go full time in my current role, was told there wouldn't be any need to do so and funding won't allow, I said what about reducing my hours so I can look for another job alongside this one, was told that wouldn't be possible as well, I am literally trapped in this job.
We all know that there really is no career progression, the pay is abysmal, and we can argue with the government over a pittance every few years, and have the same arguments and discussions further down the line for a pay increase that doesn't even cover inflation. We are losing out by staying in the role.
As a supplementary wage to a household, it is probably pretty good, but as a single man in my late 20s looking to get my own place and start a family, this wage doesn't cut it and it never will unless we somehow bargain for >40k annually, which is never going to happen.
We can argue about the 3.3% increase, but I'm going to get a different job.
Same here. I'm looking to leave within the next year. It unfortunately seems that people won't appreciate our efforts until they realise what things would be like without us.
Very sad and I'm sure a great loss to the school and the profession as a whole. But good luck to you.
I'm in exactly the same position, working on an exit. This job seems to be dominated by the old guard who have been at it a long time, and newbies that will leave in a year. It's not sustainable. When people start really retiring and there's continual staff turn over, maybe then things will change, when it's too late.
Yes it surprised me how many final year degree students doing projects with me had never made a 1 molar solution? I do this with all my school work experience studentsWe were just thrown in the cold water at Uni
I disagree, there is more than enough money in this country (and plenty of ways to get more), but what it is spent on is subjective to opinion on priority.
There are many reasons to stay, but ultimately with a whole life ahead of you this will have been a great stepping stone into industry. As long as you are confident in your ability to learn, you should be able to climb the ladder. Education just doesn't have a ladder - or a step stool, maybe an elephants foot (to senior tech) but that's as high as you can go.
Wasn't allowed in industry, we had to buy it in as it had to be traceable for bs5750Yes it surprised me how many final year degree students doing projects with me had never made a 1 molar solution? I do this with all my school work experience students
that doesn't excuse not knowing the theory!
Well adding to the above, recived through the post for Unison a voting form for to reject 3.3% pay rise.. Realy come on how many can afford to strike (not me) and wheres the money coming from.
Oh my BS 5750 thats took me back to the late 80s!
there will be funds to support those in hardship
Can't really afford to strike either, and I don't believe a single day will work. Needs to be concentrated around where it hurts the most. Exams. And be damned with the "....its for the kids....." It's exactly that which has hamstrung us for years.
I voted YES as I'm actually fighting for those younger folks who we need to come into this career as a long term career option, it's not about myself at all.
Otherwise in 10 years (or less) someone will decide that science doesn't need a practical element at GCSE (and then A-Levels).............I've heard of a school in England where the Head has decreed there to be no science practicals for a year "because of budget cuts"........what's the betting that will be extended and that poor technician loses their job?
Thin end of the wedge and we start to make a stand or accept the technician role will end.,........ very sad.
p.s. On the UNISON ballot paper there was actually a warning that going on strike could breach your contract of employment. Hardly encouraging.
The issue as I see it at the moment.
A pay rise is great and will be supported by the Government.
But funding means the Government immediately wash their hands of the implementation and schools have to find costs out of their existing budgets but can't.
To balance budgets they reduce staffing.
Currently this is a Kobyashi Maru scenario.
The only way to break it is to mandate central government funding for wage rises ... I believe I can hear porcine wings warming up on the taxi-way ...
A pay rise is great and will be supported by the Government.
But funding means the Government immediately wash their hands of the implementation and schools have to find costs out of their existing budgets but can't.
To balance budgets they reduce staffing.
Currently this is a Kobyashi Maru scenario.
The only way to break it is to mandate central government funding for wage rises ... I believe I can hear porcine wings warming up on the taxi-way ...
Technician Q
(she/her)
My husband is a maths lecturer and they basically assume none of their students have done anything other than show aptitude for the subject so their first year is basically redoing the whole of A-level properly.Yes it surprised me how many final year degree students doing projects with me had never made a 1 molar solution? I do this with all my school work experience students
yes i know that but it peanuts.