Education

Programmes

The Technician Commitment

Launched in 2017, the Technician Commitment offers a framework for taking a strategic approach to ensuring status and opportunity for technicians working in UK higher education and research institutions.

To create a culture where technical careers are recognised, respected, supported, developed and aspired to as professional careers in higher education and research institutes.

The Technician Commitment Vision

To fulfil this vision, the Technician Commitment, together with signatories and supporters, seeks to:

Coordinate, drive and evaluate collective action across the higher education and research sector to ensure visibility, recognition, opportunity and sustainability for/of technical roles and skills
Work to ensure that technicians are motivated, engaged and proud to be technicians and that others aspire to technical careers in the higher education and research sector
Influence policy pertaining to technical roles and careers in the higher education and research
Advocate technical skills and careers in higher education and research and be a nationally recognised source of sector expertise

There are close to 100 university and research institute signatories, along with UKRI, as well as other supporter organisations. The Commitment is led by a Steering Board of sector stakeholder organisations. A dedicated mircosite for the Technician Commitment is available via the Technicians Make it Happen website.

Other Programmes

Delivering Technical Education

Technical education offers young people a clear route from school into rewarding technician occupations, and progression to higher education for those who wish to study further before entering employment. The implementation of the Sainsbury Review recommendations will bring a step-change in the quality of technical education provision in England.