This initiative brought together technicians from Queen’s University and Ulster University to showcase the diverse and rewarding careers in technical roles across Higher Education.

Designed to engage students aged 14–19 from across the UK, the event offered a dynamic mix of live presentations, workshop and area tours, interactive quizzes, and group activities, all delivered via Google Classroom. Across the 3-days, we explored the wide range of technical careers within the university environment – from biomedical and marine technologies to digital communications and laboratory sciences.

Engaging Young Minds

The event kicked off on Monday 7th April and continued through the morning of Tuesday 8th with students engaging in a series of insightful presentations and video content created by technicians from both universities. These segments allowed participants to gain first-hand insight into the varied roles, responsibilities, and career journeys of technicians.

In the afternoons of Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th, students participated in facilitated breakout sessions, reflecting on what they had learned and taking part in a creative group task. Each group was challenged to design a poster or advert to inspire their peers to consider a technical career path – a task that not only encouraged creativity but also teamwork, critical thinking, and communication.

Apprentice Contributions and Real Stories

A key highlight of the programme was the participation of university apprentices, who shared their personal journeys into technical careers. Whether through live talks, pre-recorded presentations, interviews, or “day in the life” videos, these stories offered invaluable insights into alternative routes into technical professions. Their involvement also contributed to their apprenticeship-based work learning, adding further value to their training experience.

Technicians from both Queen's and Ulster Universities contributed by offering video tours of workspaces, team project showcases, and Q&A panels, ensuring that students had access to a broad and relatable understanding of technical opportunities within Higher Education.

What the Participants Said

Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive:

“The group exercises helped me with my digital communication and teamwork skills.”
“Listening to each of the speakers about different technician roles really opened my eyes.”
“The breakout rooms and quizzes made everything feel more interactive and engaging.”

By the Numbers

• 87% of participants said the experience met their expectations.

• 73% felt more confident about achieving their career ambitions post-event.

• The event received an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

• 6 in 10 participants had never attended a work experience placement before.

Moving Forward

We extend our sincere thanks to all the technicians, apprentices,  and behind-the-scenes staff who made this event such a resounding success. Your commitment to inspiring the next generation of technical professionals was evident throughout, and your efforts have made a real impact.

This event has reinforced the importance of outreach and engagement, demonstrating the potential to enhance recruitment into technical careers by showcasing the real people and real stories behind the roles.

Let’s continue to shine a light on the vital work technicians do!