The road to partnership? ‐ Forcing change in the UK further education sector; from “college incorporation” and “competition” to “accommodation and compliance”?

Abstract

Examines change in the further education (FE) sector since the incorporation in 1993 and its effects on aspects of human resource management (HRM) and, in particular, on employee relations. Argues that change was forced through in FE to a greater extent, and in a more compressed period of time, than in other parts of the public sector. The results of three surveys, carried out simultaneously, are used to support this argument, and to generate evidence on how the process has been perceived by three sets of important actors and reveals some of the contradictions in their interpretation of events. Highlights changes in the bargaining structure and approaches to HRM. An overall conclusion is that the situation in FE has moved from competition at the social level in terms of employers and employees and compliance at the workplace, to arm’s length accommodation and compliance. Nevertheless, the situation is ripe for partnership – cooperation at the social level and commitment at the place of work.