UCL signs up to Technicians commitment Science Council initiative

UCL has signed up to the sector wide

org.uk/techniciancommitment/">Technician Commitment led by the Science  Council which aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in all disciplines.

Talking about the benefit to over 800 Technicians employed at UCL, Professor David Price, Vice-Provost (Research), said "The Commitment will help us to develop a strategy for career development and professional recognition of this key group of staff".

UCL departments are already actively engaged in recruiting Apprentice Technicians. Fiona Ryland (Executive Director of Human Resources), who has had considerable success introducing Apprenticeship schemes in other sectors, believes that "Apprenticeships will be an important way to develop and retain the specialist skills and knowledge needed to enable world class research at UCL".

Adam Maney is an Apprentice Technician working in UCL Biochemical Engineering & Chemical Engineering. Alongside on-the-job training in the workshop, Adam is studying to gain an HNC Level 4 in General Engineering. "There's a certain level of freedom in my work at UCL that gives me more confidence to learn things for myself, that being said, everyone has always been available for advice when I've needed it… Most of the work we do here is computer-controlled machining and once the components are finished I'll hand them over to the academic member of staff and hopefully they report back that everything works perfectly!"

This year saw the launch of the new Apprenticeship Levy which can be used to pay for off-the-job training related to new Apprenticeship Standards.

Another activity starting at UCL in the coming months will be to create a Community of Practice for Technicians to share skills and knowledge and help develop career pathways which will provide advice and guidance, including accredited development and training opportunities.

For more information please contact Tash Khan-Davis, HR Organisational Development Consultant - tash.khan-davis@ucl.ac.uk