Draft:Technician Commitment
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| Submission declined on 23 May 2025 by S0091 (talk). This draft's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article. In summary, the draft needs multiple published sources that are:
This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies. Declined by S0091 35 days ago. | |
Comment: Most of the sources are primary and/or not independent, which includes press releases/announcement, publications by those involved/affiliated. In addition, this reads like an advertisement. S0091 (talk) 16:50, 23 May 2025 (UTC)
Technician Commitment
[edit]The Technician Commitment is an initiative that strives to improve the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical staff in higher education and research. Spearheaded by Dr Kelly Vere MBE, the initiative launched in 2017 with support from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Science Council.[1].
Background
[edit]The Technician Commitment was established to address the under-representation and poor-recognition of technical staff within academic and research institutions[2][3], who are essential to research and innovation[4]. The initiative highlights the critical role of technical professionals in supporting and delivering research and teaching in UK higher education and research[5][6][7].
Goals and Objectives
[edit]The Technician Commitment addresses 4 challenges facing the UK technical community:
1. Visibility: Ensure all technicians within the organisation are identifiable and that their contribution is visible within and beyond the institution
2. Recognition: Support technical professionals to gain recognition through professional registration and external rewards schemes
3. Career Development: Enable career progression opportunities through the provision of clear, documented technical career pathways
4. Sustainability: Ensure the future sustainability of technical skills across the organisation and that technical expertise is fully utilised
Signatories and Supporters
[edit]As of March 2025, over 130 universities and research institutions in the UK and abroad have signed the Technician Commitment. Organisations that employ technical professionals can become a signatory and pledge to make tangible changes to improve conditions for the technical workforce.
The initiative welcomed its first international signatory, The University of Sydney, in February 2023[8].
Supporters of the Technician Commitment are organisations that engage with and support the technical community in higher education and research. Examples may include professional bodies, funding organisations, learned societies, professional networks and others.
Recognition and Impact
[edit]The Technician Commitment has been cited as a catalyst for change regarding the visibility and recognition of technicians[9].
Additionally, the initiative aligns with broader national and international efforts to address the skills gap, ensuring that skilled technical professionals are equipped to meet the growing demands of research and innovation[4][10].
The Technician Commitment is a sponsor for the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards’ ‘Outstanding Technician of the Year’, recognising an individual whose exceptional practical skills, commitment and vision have enabled the highest quality teaching, research or knowledge transfer[11].
Supporters of the Technician Commitment have also established their own speciality awards, including:
- Technical Support in Psychological Research Award, The British Psychological Society[12]
- Jean Venables Medal, Institution of Civil Engineers[13]
- Apprentice and Technician Awards, Institution of Engineering and Technology[14]
- Technician Award, Institute of Physics[15]
- Higher Education Technical Excellence Award, Royal Society of Chemistry[16]
- Papin Prizes, The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy[17]
The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
[edit]A comprehensive review of the technical workforce in higher education and research was published in 2022 with recommendations on future technical skills and careers[18].
The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (UK ITSS) was established in August 2023, funded by Research England[19]. The organisation now hosts the Technician Commitment.
UK ITSS provides specialist training programmes and career development opportunities for technical professionals in UK universities and research institutes. It provides evidence to support UK government consultations and inquiries impacting future technical skills[20]
References
[edit]- ^ Council, Science (2017-05-31). "Science Council launches Technician Commitment". The Science Council ~. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ Lewis, P.A.; Gospel, Howard (2015-10-02). "Technicians under the microscope: the training and skills of university laboratory and engineering workshop technicians". Journal of Vocational Education & Training. 67 (4): 421–441. doi:10.1080/13636820.2015.1076502. ISSN 1363-6820.
- ^ "6 Technician or Scientist?", Behind the Science, Bristol University Press, pp. 73–86, 2024-11-01, doi:10.56687/9781529230123-009, ISBN 978-1-5292-3012-3, retrieved 2025-06-27
- ^ a b "UK Research and Development Roadmap". GOV.UK. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "The Unsung Heroes of Research and Innovation (R&I): The Vital Role of Technical Professionals | Royal Society". royalsociety.org. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ Lewis, P.A.; Gospel, Howard (2015-10-02). "Technicians under the microscope: the training and skills of university laboratory and engineering workshop technicians". Journal of Vocational Education & Training. 67 (4): 421–441. doi:10.1080/13636820.2015.1076502. ISSN 1363-6820.
- ^ Conti, Annamaria; Liu, Christopher C. (2015-11-01). "Bringing the lab back in: Personnel composition and scientific output at the MIT Department of Biology". Research Policy. 44 (9): 1633–1644. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2015.01.001. ISSN 0048-7333.
- ^ "University of Sydney becomes first international Technician Commitment signatory". The University of Sydney. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ Post, HEPI Guest (2022-03-30). "Using Collaboration as a Catalyst for Change in the Research Ecosystem". HEPI. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Technician Commitment Action Plan". www.ukri.org. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ THE. "THE Awards 2025". the-awards.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Technical Support in Psychological Research Award". The British Psychological Society.
- ^ "Awards & Competitions – Recognising Civil Engineering Talent". Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Apprentice and Technician Awards". www.theiet.org. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Technician Award | Institute of Physics". www.iop.org. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Higher Education Technical Excellence Award". Royal Society of Chemistry. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "Papin Prizes". UK ITSS. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "UKRI/Research England TALENT Commission report: Technical skills, roles and careers in UK higher education and research | Advance HE". www.advance-he.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ "Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (ITSS) Specialist Consultancy - Find a Tender". www.find-tender.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
- ^ "Engineering biology - Written evidence - Committees - UK Parliament". committees.parliament.uk. 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2025-06-27.