By Phil Chandler, Manchester Metropolitan University

This blog was originally published on the Technician Commitment website.

March saw the celebration of my ‘techaversary’. Ten years as a technician has gone fast – from not knowing how to turn on any lab equipment to being a technical team leader at Manchester Metropolitan University. I support all teaching, research and enterprise activities in the Human Physiology lab in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. I also have the pleasure of managing the technical team in the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, and I am fortunate to lead the committee of the technical services TechNet, an initiative which aims to promote networking between technicians at the university.

It’s a pleasure being in the lab, as no day is the same. From working alongside academic staff, to supporting a wide range of lab practicals, to helping students collect project data and collaborating with external companies to test the feasibility of their products.

I leave work most days with a smile and my head held high after a productive day, feeling satisfied my lab users have had an excellent user experience. I love lab life. Until I experienced one day like no other before.

Thursday 19th March I, along with all university staff, were sent to work from home (WFH) as the covid-19 pandemic hit our nation. My lab shut. Student research stopped. Lab practicals cancelled. External partnerships on hold. How could I be a technician without a lab?

Not knowing how to WFH as a technician, I realised I was not the only one needing help. Over 200 technical colleagues were in the same position. Some may have better ideas, better methods or better plans to cope with WFH. Therefore, the TechNet committee decided to go digital to create TechNet Chats as an informal platform to search and share advice. We meet virtually every other week to discuss topics chosen by technicians. So far, we have discussed communication between each other and students and plan more chats on coping strategies and how technology can help at home.

Chats has helped technicians discuss a variety of methods to help WFH, but during this unique time ensuring our wellbeing is a vital part of being able to WFH successfully. Therefore, Chats have introduced quizzes to help technicians break from work to relieve tension or pressure caused by WFH and bring shared enjoyment, smiles and laughter into the home working culture.

Chat sessions have led to other technicians creating fun sessions, such as sharing baking recipes, insightful book reads, exercise videos and advice to help technicians be active in mind and body to develop a joyful home working environment.

Chats are going from strength to strength with more technician engagement, increased discussions and ideas. This has empowered others to develop and share their own home working coping strategies.

Together, we have created a digitally connected technical family, searching and sharing best practice to WFH, to encourage and support our friends and colleagues across campus. From home, technicians have bred a positive culture in a tough environment.

The new Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund launches from 7^th December 2020, funding projects to support the sustainability, recognition, development & visibility of the technical workforce.

From its inception the Technician Commitment has been a collaborative endeavour. This ethos has been echoed and reflected in the biannual signatory events and the number of collaborative partnerships that have arisen as a result of the Technician Commitment in the past three years.

To further support this culture, the Technician Commitment Signatory Board are pleased to launch the new Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund.

The Collaboration Fund is a small grants scheme which provides funding to Technician Commitment Signatory Institutions to pump prime and enable collaborative projects with external partners to advance the aims of the Technician Commitment.

The scheme is open to all Technician Commitment Signatory institutions and funding is awarded on a competitive basis. The Steering Board invites submissions in the range of £100 – £2000 to support the creation of collaborative opportunities. Examples may include, but are not limited to: joint workshops, shared training, development of shared materials, facilitation of work placements/exchanges and seminars/conference styled activity.

The application window runs from 7^th December 2020 – 15th February 2021, and successful projects should be delivered between 1^st March 2021 and 31^st December 2021.

• Find out more about the eligibility criteria, scope and application process of the fund.
• Download the application form.

The Technician Commitment team are very happy to discuss ideas for the collaboration fund to help you shape your application. If you would like some support in developing your ideas, or would like more information, please get in touch with us.

The first virtual Technician Commitment Signatory Event look place on Thursday 5^th November.

We were joined by over 120 colleagues from institutions across the UK Higher Education and research sector, who have pledged their commitment to supporting the technical workforce.

A key strength of the Technician Commitment is the community of practice that has developed through the biannual signatory events. While unable to meet in person, the Technician Commitment are keen to ensure momentum and connectivity of the Technician Commitment community.

The online meeting included an update from Kelly Vere, Technician Commitment Programme Director, and included opportunities for attendees to network and share best practice.

We were delighted to welcome Professor Sir John Holman who shared details of a new, national policy commission that is investigating the higher education and research sector’s future need for technical skills and roles.

Simon Breeden, Associate Lead for the Technician Commitment, also presented an overview of a recent study by the Technician Commitment, Science Council and partners into the effects of COVID19 on the technical community, plus Dr Sabrina Fairchild shared news of the GW4 consortium of universities GW4ward programme for technical colleagues.

The event was closed by Helen Gordon, CEO of the Science Council, who noted the importance of collaboration as we strive for the recognition, career development, visibility and sustainability of technicians.

Kelly Vere, Higher Education Engagement Manager at the Science Council & Technician Commitment Programme Director commented:

“We’re delighted to see such positive engagement, continued momentum, collaboration and connectivity from the Technician Commitment community at our first virtual event”

Royal Society of Chemistry Supporting Technicians

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s action plan to help universities, research institutions and industry place technicians at the forefront of what they do was launched earlier this year.

As part of the Science Council’s Technician Commitment initiative, the RSC’s plan aims to increase visibility, recognition, career development and the sustainability of technicians in the chemical sciences.

Their plan for the chemical sciences focuses on four pillars; visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability.

Each of these pillars offers support to technical staff through a range of grants, awards, networking, discounted training, mentoring, alongside professional accreditation and registration (RSci/RSciTech).

In addition to supporting individual technicians, organisations are encouraged to get in touch with them for assistance in achieving their own goals with regard to technical staff.

Professor Dame Carol Robinson, former President of the RSC, says: “A career in the technical sciences is both fulfilling and rewarding – I started my own career as a technical member of staff. It is only right that we make sure all technicians receive the recognition and career development that they deserve.

“I was one of the people who would say I am ‘just’ a technician – we have to stop saying that. Technicians are vitally important to the advancement of the chemical sciences and the health of our economy. Our action plan has been designed to improve the landscape in which technicians find themselves working, to not only maximise the potential of and retain our skilled technicians but also attract new talent to the sector.”

For more information, visit rsc.li/technician-commitment.

Date of article: 8th October 2020

CLEAPSS resources give teachers ideas for exciting and engaging practical activities that fire pupils' imaginations and then, unlike many other sources of ideas, go on to show teachers and technicians in detail how to translate the ideas into safe and exciting experiences in the classroom.CLEAPSS advice and documentation is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Education

CLEAPPS is very useful for chemical preparation, storage and usage. The University has a subscription, the login details are:

Username: mars

Password: rover20

Link to CLEAPPS science

The annual programme is open to technical staff from all levels, role types and disciplines who work at one of the 8 Midlands Innovation universities.

It will help technical staff explore their career goals and identify the development and training needs to achieve those aspirations.

From September 2021 the programme will run for six-months and there are 12 places available.

The programme will take place virtually, with the potential to meet face to face for the networking meetings. This will be confirmed nearer to the time.

Technicians taking part will benefit from 1-2-1 coaching and mentoring sessions with the MI TALENT team, access to courses and workshops that complement the mentoring scheme and the opportunity to network with technical colleagues from across the Midlands.

TALENT aims to create opportunities for all minority groups highlighted in the Equality Act 2010 and works to create spaces for consistently underrepresented groups within the technical community. We actively encourage applications from:

• Female colleagues
• Disabled colleagues
• Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic colleagues
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) colleagues

Professional registration with the Science Council provides independent recognition of your achievements as part of a global community of professional scientists. It not only draws on your qualification and formal skill sets but reflects your on the job experience and recognises what you do every day.

"Registered professional scientists are recognised for their competence, ability and integrity and serving the public interest. They are committed to keeping their skills and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development (CPD)."