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Technician Commitment

National Technician Commitment


What is it all about?

Technician Event Make it happen 1200 600 Queen’s signed up to the Technician Commitment in 2017.  The commitment aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.  

We have made great progress since becoming a signatory in May 2017. Since then there have been a number of in-person and virtual eventspromoting technical staff at Queen's. There have also been many successes, particularly with colleagues achieving Professional Registration and the Queen’s Merit Award.

Meet the Steering Group

The Queen’s University Technician Steering group was established to represent our technicians. The group is made up of technicians, senior academics, Union representatives and colleagues from People & Culture. With consultation with technicians across the University a Technician Commitment Action Plan was submitted to the Science Council at the beginning of 2021. This is available to read below. Working Groups have formed to progress the themes highlighted in the action plan.

Meet the Steering Group >

Working Groups

In May 2021, five working groups were setup to begin work on the 36 month action plan for the Technician Commitment at Queen’s. Each group membership includes technicians, professional services staff and senior academic staff. It is hoped that with the contribution of staff across the University, we can make positive changes for technicians at Queen's.

Comms, Networking and Events
Profile technicians at Queen’s, promote networking events, and signpost development opportunities. Making use of online tools such as the website, social media, online and in-person events.

Environmental Sustainability
Finding innovative ways to improve our impact on the environment. Involving procurement, recycling procedures and promotion of good practice in departments across the University.

Professional Development and Progression
Developing a clear career pathway for technicians at Queen’s. Explore a mentoring and work shadowing scheme and promote professional registration and HE fellowship awards.

Sustainability and Workforce Planning
Ensure sustainability with the technical workforce by exploring initiatives including apprenticeships, outreach opportunities in School and FE colleges, equal opportunity recruitment, and provide training for staff where skills gaps are identified.

Visibility and Recognition
Highlighting the contribution of technical staff in research and teaching. Promoting acknowledgement in research papers and nominating technicians in staff and nationwide awards. 

Action Plan
Action Plan
Making a positive change

In January 2021 the Technician Commitment Stage 2 Self-Assessment and 36-month Action Plan was approved and submitted to the Science Council. A 28-point plan structured around the pillars of the Technician Commitment: Visibility, Recognition, Career Development and Sustainability.

Technician Commitment Action Plan 21 - 23
Get in touch

Please get in touch if you would like to find out more or get involved in the Technician Commitment at Queen's.

qubtechnicians@qub.ac.uk