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University students asking for mental

health help up 50 per cent in five years

THE NUMBER OF university is supposed to be an Stressed out students
students reaching out to assault on the senses. It need support, say MPs
mental health facilities is up should be demanding and
by 50 per cent, according to disorientating, and with
new statistics. that should come adequate
This news came as pastoral care for students.
Universities Minister Sam “This does not mean
Gyimah called for students mollycoddling or cushioning
to be “supported, not students from the
mollycoddled.” experiences that are part
Analysis by the BBC, which and parcel of university
received responses from 83 life, it means making
universities a­er submitting sure support services are
Freedom of Information available if they need them.”
requests, shows a possible Charities including Mind
uptick in mental health and the NUS have warned
problems at university. that students are under “Many are balancing wrote to Vice Chancellors
The number of students increasing pressure. work, study and caring at the beginning of the
seeking help rose from Eva Crossan Jory, the NUS responsibilities. With autumn term, asking them
50,900 to 78,100 between Vice President, said: “There fees so high, and the job to prioritise mental health.
2012 and 2017, while is a growth in demand [for market so competitive, Mr Gyimah has
budgets towards mental mental health services] students feel they have previously called for a
health services increased by over the last decade, in to continually push greater focus on mental
40 per cent. part, because the reality themselves, perhaps more health issues, saying that
Mr Gyimah told The of studying in the UK has so than before.” universities’ main purpose
Daily Telegraph: “University changed so much. The Universities Minister is no longer learning. ■

Collapse of apprenticeship provider

3aaa ‘sounds alarm bells’ for employers

THE COLLAPSE OF apprentices for companies EEF’s Verity Davidge said folded a­er the Education
one of the UK’s largest such as National Grid and employers had been “le­ and Skills Funding Agency –
apprenticeship providers sandwich maker Greencore, in limbo” by the collapse, an arm of the Department
3aaa has triggered “alarm went into administration which has stoked fears for Education – cancelled its
bells” among employers, a­er the government about the sector, according contracts.
the EEF manufacturers’ pulled its funding. It was to The Evening Standard. The company provided
organisation has said. also referred to police over “The collapse of large training for apprentices hired
3aaa, which trained fraud concerns. training providers such as by the likes of Greencore,
3aaa, that manufacturers Ocado, Mitie, Thomas Cook,
Employers have been le are currently using, will and National Grid.
in limbo by the collapse send alarm bells ringing. Greencore said it was
“The apprentices must “working closely” with the
be protected ›rst and government skills agencies
foremost and employers to ensure that all learners
will do everything in their from 3aaa will be able to
power to ›nd alternative continue their programme.
provision. There will Ocado also said it
be nervousness among was reviewing the
employers as to whether potential impact on any
we will see the events of apprenticeships although
this week repeated.” currently it had only two
3aaa, based in Derby, staŸ on the scheme. ■

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News.indd 10 15/11/2018 14:23