James Hutton Institute backs Technician Commitment

"By working collectively, we can ensure the future prosperity of technical skills in higher education and research"

The James Hutton Institute has joined more than 30 universities and research institutions from across the UK in backing a pledge to support their technicians. The Technician Commitment is a sector-wide initiative led by the Science Council and supported by the Gatsby Foundation to help address key challenges facing technical staff working in research.

Five target areas have been identified, which universities and institutions will work to improve to safeguard vital technical skills. The commitment will ensure greater visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians across all disciplines.

The commitment was launched at the Higher Education Technicians Summit last week in Warwick. It includes pledges in five key areas: visibility, recognition, career development, sustainability and impact.

The commitment comes at a key time as the demand for technicians is increasing. More than 1.5 million technicians currently work in the UK, which is expected to rise by around 70,000 each year. Vice-chancellors and directors of research institutes from leading institutions across the UK have recognised the need to ensure sustainability by safeguarding technical skills across their organisations by utilising and developing expertise.

Belinda Phipps, CEO of the Science Council, said: “The Science Council has been working to increase the visibility and professional recognition of technicians and to improve their development opportunities at all career stages. We are delighted to be leading on the Technician Commitment and to be working with partners across the higher education and research sector to elevate the status and profile of technicians. By working collectively, we can ensure the future prosperity of technical skills in higher education and research.”

Notes to editors:

Besides the James Hutton Institute, founding signatories include: Aston University, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Canterbury Christ Church University, Cardiff University, University of Central Lancashire, Cranfield University, University of Essex, University of Exeter, University of Hertfordshire, Imperial College London, Institute of Cancer Research, John Innes Centre, Keele University, King’s College London, Lancaster University, University of Leicester, London South Bank University, Loughborough University, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, University of Manchester, Open University, University of Oxford, Plymouth University, University of Reading, University of Sheffield, University of Strathclyde, University of Surrey, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Warwick, University College London, University of the West of England and University of York.