University signs up to the Technician Commitment

THE University of Huddersfield has signed up to a UK-wide initiative designed to ensure that the technical experts, who are vital to the work of researchers and students, receive full recognition and career advancement.  There is also a need to head off a potential shortage of technicians nationally and thereby ensure the country’s global competitiveness.

Technicians have been described as “the linchpin of the UK economy” and readily provide that everyday ‘technical backbone’ for organisations in all sectors to thrive and achieve success, including universities.

As well supporting teaching and research, university technicians can be on the frontline for student support and can be the first port-of-call for both undergraduates and postgraduates alike.

The Technician Commitment – led by the Science Council, supported by the Gatsby Foundation, founded by Lord Sainsbury – is a university country-wide initiative that seeks to recognise the work of these unsung heroes.

In signing up to the Commitment, the University of Huddersfield has pledged to take up a number of key challenges affecting its technical community and take part in an annual assessment to evaluate its progress.

Over 200 technicians support staff and students at Huddersfield, in subjects that range from science, technology and healthcare to business, education, architecture and the creative arts. 

The University formally joined the Technician Commitment at a special signatory event, which took place at Jaguar Cars’s Castle Bromwich headquarters. 

To further the goals behind the Commitment, a steering group has now been formed that will draw up an action plan designed to address the four key themes:

• Visibility – ensuring that all technicians within the University are identifiable and that the contribution of technicians is visible within and beyond the institution;
• Recognition – supporting technicians to gain recognition through professional registration and external awards schemes;
• Career Development – enabling career progression opportunities for technicians through the provision of clear, documented career pathways;
• Sustainability – ensuring the future sustainability of technical skills across the organisation and that technical expertise is fully utilised.

The institutional lead for the Technician Commitment is the University’s Director of Human Resources, Siobhan Campbell, who was proud that Huddersfield was one of the 75 institutions nationwide to join the scheme. 

“The Technician Commitment is a great opportunity for us to support a key area that will improve and safeguard vital technical skills,” she said.  “Our technicians are a highly valued and crucial part of the excellent teaching and research that takes place at this University and this commitment will help us provide the recognition, support and development that they deserve.”