Technician Commitment
The Technician Commitment (TC) is a UK University and research institution initiative, led by a steering group of sector bodies, with support from the Science Council and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Technician’s Make it Happen campaign.
The University of Southampton became a signatory of the Technician Commitment on 30 October 2018 and pledged to act against the key challenges affecting technical staff in four key areas of visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability.
In 2019 we submitted our first self-assessment and a 24-month (2020-2021) action plan.
In 2021 we submitted our second self-assessment and a 36 month (2022-2025) action plan.
Professor Michael Butler is Chair of the TC Steering Group. He says:
" Technical staff have a wide range of roles right the way across the University of Southampton, delivering key elements of our research and enterprise activity and playing a major role in delivering an outstanding education for our undergraduate and postgraduate community.
We are working hard to implement change in every area to ensure technical staff are valued, are visible, succeed with their career ambitions and we have a sustainable pipeline of talent for the University’s future ."
Like so many employers we have experienced a skills shortage at the technician level. The Technician Commitment is geared towards encouraging and supporting those who have already chosen a career as a technician, as well as inspiring young people, particularly those that are naturally analytical, practical and real problem-solvers, to consider becoming part of the next generation of the nation’s much needed technicians.
The Technician Commitment provides a voice for our technical staff to share their ideas, provide feedback to the senior management and network with colleagues from across the University. For those applying for roles at the University they can be sure the University is committed to, and values the contribution made by, our technical staff.
The University became a Partner Affiliate of the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC) , with effect from 1 February 2021. This partnership with the NTDC will provide tools to support the development of formal technical career pathways and embed these strategies within the wider University.
Technician Commitment Implementation Group and Self-Assessment Team (TCIG/SAT)
Executive Sponsor and Chair: Professor Michael Butler, Dean of Engineering and Physical Science
Co-chair: Pete Langdon, Associate Dean Infrastructure, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Project Manager: Sonia Gomez del Castillo, EDI
Technical Leads:
- Agnes Michalik, Experimental Officer, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
- Gareth Savage, Technical Resource Manager, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Ben Coles, Faculty Technical Manager, Faculty of Medicine
- Andrew Brook, Faculty Technical Manager, Faculty of Arts and Humanities