1. Looking into the Future for Technical Staff in HE and Beyond Kelly Vere University of Nottingham kelly.vere@nottingham.ac.uk @kellyvere @kellyvere

2. To identify key issues facing technicians in HE today. To discuss how we can act on these issues to create a Professional Technical Workforce for the future. To consider future opportunities for all technicians working in HE. Aims

3. Outline Introduction Research The Problems Possible Solutions? The Future?

4. About Me One of over 600 technicians at the University of Nottingham. One of over 600 technicians at the University of Nottingham. Joined as a trainee technician in 1999. Joined as a trainee technician in 1999. I’m cross faculty – based in both the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering – IBIOS. I’m cross faculty – based in both the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering – IBIOS. Lab and management Lab and managementresponsibilities. Over 25,000 technicians in HE who are crucial to the success of their institutions

5. The Invisible Workforce? “Because technicians work in organisations that tend to be dominated by other occupational groups, especially professionals such as doctors, scientists and engineers, technicians constitute an almost invisible part of the workforce.” Shaplin (1989)

7. The University Technician Research to date.... Academic research is sparse and what is available is based on technicians working in industry in the USA. Occasional news report reporting concerns about the “potential crisis” facing HEIs in that a high proportion of technicians are due to retire and they are not being replaced. HEaTED survey results (2006 &2009). 3 Key reports/policy documents on technicians working in HE over the past 15 years. All three of these identify problems facing HE technicians and recommend actions.

8. 1998 Royal Society Report “Technical and Research Support in the Modern Laboratory” Acknowledges that technicians play a vital part in research teams and yet there is little focus on them when it comes to research policy. Notes that the technicians role had changed over the past 20 years as has the mechanism for how technical support is provided. Expresses concern over the substantial decline in core technical support staff. Urges Universities and Research Councils to ensure that the continuity of technical skills is maintained. Recommends that there be no further reduction in technical support as this would be detrimental to the quality of UK research and teaching. Recommends a more integrated approach to career opportunities and training is required in line with research staff to ensure technicians are “enabled to contribute fully to the research effort” ACTION?

9. 2004 Evidence Ltd report “Highly Skilled Technicians in Higher Education” commissioned by HEFCE Focuses on the way skilled technical work is organised and delivered in UK HEIs. Acknowledges the importance of technicians to a University’s research activities. Acknowledges the lack of career opportunities Traditional trainee scheme redundant in many Universities. Due to increase in students attending universities it is graduates who are applying for junior technical posts in HE. Problems with recruiting and retaining highly skilled technicians. Low social esteem associated with the role of the technician. Recommends a “serious overhaul in both career structures and employment attitudes” in order to attract people to take up technical posts in Universities ACTION?

10. 2011 “Technicians Under the Microscope” A Study of the Skills and Training of University and Laboratory and Engineering Workshop Technicians Paul Lewis and Howard Gospel – commissioned by the Gatsby Foundation 2011 “Technicians Under the Microscope” A Study of the Skills and Training of University and Laboratory and Engineering Workshop Technicians Paul Lewis and Howard Gospel – commissioned by the Gatsby Foundation. Examines the tasks university technicians undertake and how they are organised as well as the type and level of skills required. Explores how universities set about fulfilling their need for suitably qualified and skilled technicians. Notes the lack of career opportunities and professional development available to technicians in universities. Acknowledges the invisibility of the role can lead to a neglect by academic institutions when future strategies and policies are being devised. Suggests a professional registration scheme would enhance the esteem in which the role of the technician is held by focussing attention on the high skills base technicians provide.

11. Research at Nottingham Based on existing evidence out there and new data, (set of interviews with technical staff, academics, managers and staff development personnel) we identified a number of issues facing technical staff in HE. For the purposes of today's presentation let’s concentrate on 4 problems we as technicians can begin to address.

12. 4 Main Problems to Solve Research Safety Students Teaching Staff “I’m just the technician”

13. The Multi-Faceted Role of a HE Technician TEACH MANAGE SAFETY EQUIPMENT FINANCE WRITE RESEARCH ADVISE ADMINISTER INNOVATE ANALYTICAL SERVICES

14. Technicians as Teachers “The technician role is increasingly growing to include the demonstration of concepts and theory and is ultimately moving towards an active teaching role, away from a pure technician’s role’” PA Consulting - HEFCE 2010. Our role has evolved - We do teach! Reluctance by HEIs to formally recognise this – “technicians don’t teach, they demonstrate” We should be provided with resources to support these activities. Example - PGCHEs a requirement for new academic staff. Technicians often have a lot more contact time with students than academics! Higher fees – students will be wanting quality assurance.

15. Technical Representation at Senior Management Level Little representation at senior management level Little influence on strategies and policy. Poor communication. Technical staff report a feeling of exclusion. Why? Do we have nothing to contribute? Is it because we don’t engage with them? Do you know your institution’s 5 year plan?

16. Social Status of Technical Staff “Esteem is accrued to research leaders rather than research teams.” Evidence Ltd (2004) Why does this low social status exist? Highly qualified. Highly experienced. Salaries can be on par with postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, managers. Inertia amongst HE technicians – we do not help ourselves sometimes! “Just a technician” How do we overcome this? “I’m just the technician”

17. Career Progression “No technician has ever been promoted because promotion is a personal thing and our grading scheme works on the grading of jobs and not the grading of people”. Study Participant

18. Professional & Career Development £220K HEaTED Start-Up Roberts Money £20 million p.a. for 7 years Implication that researchers should develop their careers.........no implication that we should.

19. Solutions? Research Safety Students Teaching Staff “I’m just the technician”

20. Solutions? We know what the problems are – let’s get ourselves and our stakeholders engaged in addressing these concerns. The only way to do this is to stop being invisible! We must have a voice. We need proper recognition, support and a sense of identity. The time is now.

21. Bigger Picture - on a National level Technicians look set to remain in demand. 2010 UK Commission for Employment and Skills identified shortage of technicians across all sectors. Technicians vital for UK economy!

22. Estimates 450,000 job opportunities will be created by 2020.

23. The HE Sector must engage with this initiative. It’s happening out there! External funders of technical staff will make registration a requirement of that funding. University students and clients will expect it too. QUALITY ASSURANCE

24. Keith Burnett and Terry Croft championing initiative.

25. Professional Registration – Engaging HEIS TECHNICIANS What is your HEI doing about Professional Registration? Ask! Top down and bottom up approach

26. Case Study – Life Sciences Engaging our HEIs with Technical Workforce 1 st August 2013 – the New School of Life Sciences will launch at the University of Nottingham. Merger of three existing Schools. Initial presentation made no reference to technical staff. When asked, management estimated that the merger would mean there would be approx. 40-50 technicians in the new School. There are 108.

27. Case Study – Life Sciences Technicians requested a meeting with Faculty Management. Explained that we were useful in this process – for example – who better to amalgamate health and safety practices for the new school than the very people who are managing such issues on a day to day basis? Who better to organise new teaching lab practicals than the people who run them? Made a case for technical representation on the new School ‘s Implementation and Management Boards (and got it!) Established a technical working group to facilitate the merger process and advise the management board. RESULT - Technicians are influencing policy, practice and strategy! It is possible! - Shift in social status.

28. “The challenge for technicians is to establish their role as a career role in the university. As a career role. Not just as a plug in the system to be filled and that’s it.” If we don’t professionalise ourselves? “Plugs in the system” can be filled in other ways........ Professional registration is a major step towards this.

29. Times Higher Education - 3 rd January 2013BBC News – 25 th March 2013

30. Exciting Opportunities Ahead? (#1) Academics act as external consultants..... So can we!

31. Exciting Opportunities Ahead? (#2) Kit Catalogue – Wakeham Review In May 2011 the Research Councils introduced changes in how equipment is funded on grants. Basically we have to share! Possibility for technical staff to create networks and centres of excellence in varying areas. RCs have funding for these. We are the ones with the hands on experience and expertise, we should drive these opportunities forward.

32. Exciting Opportunities Ahead? (#3) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Almost three-quarters (74%) of SMEs in the UK worked with a HEI* These partnerships are driving innovation and are of great value to the UK economy. SMEs in need of technical expertise and have been advised to look at technical skills available in HEIs. Possibility they will ‘buy in’ technical support from HEIs. Fantastic personal development opportunity – knowledge transfer. *Institute of Directors and Universities UK.

33. Exciting Opportunities Ahead? (#4) University Technical Colleges In order to address the demand for highly skilled technicians in the UK, HEIs and industry are working together and opening UTCs. Target of 100 UTCs by 2015. Who better to teach/run these UTCs than us? We have the experience and expertise.

35. We’re beginning to make the news....

36. Conclusions Challenges for Technicians We must take ownership of our profession and make ourselves heard! No one can (or will) do this for us. ENGAGE, ENGAGE, ENGAGE! By employing voice and visibility we can ensure that professors aren’t the only professionals on campus! Together with our institutions and stakeholders we can develop a professional and progressive community of technical staff in HE. Challenges for Universities Bold steps required to recognise and invest in their technicians through training, support and career opportunities. Investment is needed to ensure that the sector retains a dynamic and properly equipped workforce.