News

The annual Technician Commitment Signatory Event was held online on 5 November. There were over 100 participants from the 77 signatory institutions online to listen to a series of updates and presentations. Some key highlights of interest from the event include:

· 8 Technicians shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Outstanding Technician of the Year Awards

· Partnership with the Royal Institution for a series of Christmas lectures https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures

· A number of institutions providing actions plans on how they want to engage with technicians, including Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Chemistry https://www.iop.org/iop-celebrates-launch-of-technician-commitment-action-plan; https://www.rsc.org/membership-and-community/supporting-organisations/technician-commitment/; Royal Society also to launch an action plan

· The Institute of Physics has also welcomed Honorary Fellows, including a Technician from STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council) https://www.iop.org/about/awards/honorary-fellowship/our-honorary-fellows/Rachael-buckley

· Royal Society of Chemistry has launched a Technical Skills Development Grand Fund https://www.rsc.org/awards-funding/funding/technician-skills-development-grant/

· The Migration Advisory Committee has recommended that Laboratory Technicians are included in the Shortage Occupation List post Brexit

· An evaluative review of the Technician Commitment Initiative is being undertaken by an external consultancy and it is possible that Technicians will be asked to outline their experiences of the commitment so far

· Presentation on the work of the TALENT Policy Commission with particular emphasis on trying to change the culture and embedding this into the workplace. Work will involve collection and analysis of data with a view to outlining emerging themes to help improve the workplace culture and recognition of Technicians. Plans to publish the recommendations next Autumn

· The wider round table discussion outlined many common themes around career frameworks and pathways, engaging technicians, setting up networks and keeping up the momentum of the Technician Commitment and professional registration

· The event was rounded off with the CEO of the Science Council praising the work of the Technician Commitment. Her view was that it was making a difference, attitudes were starting to change, collaboration and communication was crucial and that the role of the technicians is pivotal to the work and research undertaken in institutions.