Professional Registers for the Technical Community HEaTED East of England Network 21 May 2013 Ali Orr, Registrar

About the Science Council Umbrella organisation that brings together learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications established by Royal Charter in 2003 with the objects of advancing science and its applications for public benefit

Our strategic aims The Science Council will: serve society and the economy by enhancing the professionalism of the science workforce and building trust and confidence in science provide a voice on policy issues affecting the science community, fostering debate and the exchange of ideas support its member bodies to be more effective in meeting the needs of the science community

Professional registration: What it means and how it can help

New Registers - vision and values Two new registers – Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) and Registered Scientist (RSci) alongside Chartered Scientist (CSci) Create professional pathways within science Make progression a reality Entry levels and endpoints will vary Raise standards and aspirations Ensure fair access to the profession

Professional Registration explained Registration is an independent peer review process linked to employer needs Standards set by umbrella licensing bodies (e.g. Science Council, Engineering Council) Applied by professional bodies under licence Technician Council ensures equivalence between registers (EngTech, RSciTech, ICTTech…)

Professional Registration explained Applicant joins a professional body relevant to their area of study or career aspirations Professional Bodies assess underpinning knowledge, competency, and commitment to professional ethics, conduct and CPD Vocational qualifications can go a long way to meeting the standards for registration, but competency and professionalism are developed through experience in the workplace

Professional pathways through registration QCF level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship A-Level, NVQ3 QCF level 5 HND, FdSc, some Higher Apprenticeships QCF level 7 MSc, MSci etc CPD standards Code of conduct Competency areas all common across the registers

The value to individuals Registration captures what you already know and do – not a case of re-training Demonstrate you also maintain the knowledge and competence you’ve developed over many years recognition for the role you're in now, as well as a framework to support your future career development

The value to individuals Demonstrate your professionalism to employers, colleagues and clients Registration is transferable across sectors – also good for your mobility Become part of a broader community of scientists working across a huge range of sectors and disciplines

The value to employers Recruiting the best – registration encapsulates the combination of knowledge, technical and broader skills sought after by employers Retaining the best – keep your staff motivated and up to date through access to CPD and recognising what they’ve learnt Being the best – showcase your talent, demonstrate your commitment to fair access, an expectation of high levels of professionalism and a statement that you move with the times

Registration in detail

Registration in detail - RSciTech Underpinning knowledge to QCF level 3 Competence in five key areas: A: Application of knowledge and understanding B: Personal responsibility C: Interpersonal skills D: Professional practice E: Professional standards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) assessed on an ongoing basis Commitment to established codes of conduct

A: Application of knowledge and understanding Identify and use relevant scientific understanding, methods and skills to complete tasks and address well defined problems A1: apply knowledge of underlying concepts and principles A2: review and select appropriate scientific techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks A3: interpret and evaluate data and make sound judgments in relation to scientific concepts

B: Personal responsibility Exercise personal responsibility in planning and implementing tasks according to prescribed protocols B1: work consistently and effectively with minimal supervision to appropriate standards and protocols B2: manage and apply safe working practices B3: accept responsibility for the quality of work of self and others B4: take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures as well as using judgement within defined parameters

C: Interpersonal skills Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills C1: demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills C2: demonstrate interpersonal and behavioural skills C3: demonstrate an ability to work effectively with others

D: Professional practice Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods according to protocol D1: recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions D2: identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks D3: participate in continuous performance improvement

E: Professional standards Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards E1: comply with relevant codes of conduct and practice E2: maintain and enhance competence in own area of practice within structured and managed environment

Registration: CPD requirements To maintain their registration, registrants must: Maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities; Demonstrate that their CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice; Seek to ensure that their CPD has benefited the quality of their practice; Seek to ensure that their CPD has benefited the users of their work; Present a written profile containing evidence of their CPD on request

CPD: learning activities Work based learning (e.g. supervising staff / students, reflective practice) Professional activity (e.g. involvement in a professional body, mentoring) Formal / Educational (e.g. writing papers, further education) Self-directed learning (e.g. reading journals) Other (e.g. voluntary work, public service)

Professional Bodies in Science The Science Council has 40 member bodies of which 28 are currently licensed to award Chartered Scientist (CSci) status. Eight bodies have been selected to pilot the RSciTech and RSci registers: Association for Science Education Institute of Biomedical Science Institute of Food Science and Technology Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine Institute of Science and Technology Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal Society of Chemistry Society of Biology

October 2011: David Willetts announces the introduction of the registers

May 2012: RSciTech launch at Gatsby Technicians Conference

Professional pathways through registration QCF level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship A-Level, NVQ3 QCF level 5 HND, FdSc, some Higher Apprenticeships QCF level 7 MSc, MSci etc CPD standards Code of conduct Competency areas all common across the registers

Further information Contact: Ali Orr Registrar Web links: