The University of Worcester has pledged support to its technical staff by signing the Technician Commitment.
In doing so, the University pledges to continued recognition and career development of those staff working in technical roles.
Worcester employs around 60 technicians across all eight of its academic schools and institutes, who support learning and teaching, as well as research and consultancy.
Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Professor John-Paul Wilson added: “Our technicians are instrumental in the delivery of our teaching and research. While they often operate behind the scenes, they are actively involved in co-authoring research publications and in the direct delivery of teaching to our students, as well as being active professionals in their own field.
“In becoming a signatory to the Technician Commitment, we are strengthening an institutional commitment to provide the support, recognition and development opportunities our technician’s deserve.”
The Technician Commitment is a nationwide initiative aimed at ensuring visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability for technical staff working across all disciplines in higher education and research.
It is led by a steering board of sector bodies and hosted by the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. It invites universities to pledge action to promote the importance of technical roles within their institution and address challenges faced by those working as technicians.
At Worcester, technicians work across the University, providing support to staff and students in Health and Medicine who regularly use specialist skills and simulation equipment; in Science and the Environment where they provide technical support in the labs and in the field, including in environmental monitoring research and research focused on plant-pathogen interactions; in Sport & Exercise Science where they manage the sports science labs and the University’s Motion and Performance Centre supporting students, researchers, the public and external organisations to collect physiological and other data; and in Arts and Humanities, where they support students and staff across digital media, game art, fine art and drama & performance.
Dr Anne Sinnott, Lead Technician in the University’s School of Science and the Environment, said: “Technicians play a vital role at the University of Worcester supporting and delivering excellent, practical hands-on sessions, producing students with competence and confidence going into the workplace. It’s great to have the University sign this commitment shining a light on a sometimes-hidden group, recognising their contribution and advancing their development.”