Advocating for the technical community
The TALENT Programme, established in 2020 by Midlands Innovation, represents the largest investment in technical skills, roles, and careers in UK higher education. This ambitious initiative, backed by a £3 million grant from the Research England Development Fund, set out to revolutionise the landscape for technicians in UK higher education. Often the unsung heroes of academia, technicians play a crucial role in driving research and innovation, yet their contributions have historically been undervalued.
A vision for change
The TALENT Programme aimed to elevate the status of technicians, advocating for their recognition and creating opportunities for career advancement. By promoting a positive research culture, enhancing career pathways, and providing training and development opportunities, TALENT sought to ensure that technicians received the acknowledgement they deserve.
The project identified four key aspects to guide their work and outputs:
- Build an understanding of the future requirements for skilled technicians in the UK HE sector through a national policy commission.
- Work collaboratively to advocate and deliver a change in culture that will raise the profile of technical careers, roles and contributions, enhancing career pathways and possibilities.
- Deliver a programme of training and development opportunities for the Midlands Innovation technical community of over 2100 FTE and share the learning with the sector.
- Advocate and develop opportunities for technicians in the HE sector, ensuring technical careers are supported, developed, respected and ultimately aspired to.
The transformational impact of the TALENT programme
The TALENT Programme: Interventions and Impact report highlights the transformative changes achieved over TALENT’s five years of operation. Highlights include:
- Technical professionals are more empowered and equipped, resulting in more positive workplace cultures.
- Extensive data collection has bridged a critical knowledge gap of the technical workforce in HE and research.
- Six research reports with 48 recommendations have significantly advanced sector knowledge, influencing national funding policies and elevating the status of technical professionals.
- Around 1,000 technicians have benefited from the first leadership programme designed for women in technical roles, addressing major equality, diversity, and inclusion challenges.
- Close to 6,000 tailored development programmes and training sessions have enhanced technical careers nationwide.
In the video below, you can hear from representatives from each of the eight Midlands Innovation universities on how the TALENT Programme actively advocated for technicians in the sector, leading to further advancement of their professional and personal development.
A lasting legacy
The work of TALENT in championing the cause of technicians has created a legacy that will continue through the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy (UK ITSS). Established as a key recommendation from the TALENT Commission and launched in 2023, the UK ITSS ensures ongoing support and development for technical professionals, building on the foundations laid by TALENT. UK ITSS have collated critical materials from the TALENT programme and have presented these as a legacy suite of resources which are intended to remain available long after he programme has concluded.
The TALENT programme’s success demonstrates the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in technical skills to drive innovation. By nurturing a culture that values and recognises the contributions of technicians, TALENT has set a precedent for future initiatives. The programme has significantly improved research culture by promoting inclusivity, collaboration, and support within the technical community. The continued efforts of the UK ITSS will help maintain this momentum, ensuring that technicians receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve. This ongoing commitment will not only benefit the technical community but also enhance the overall research and development landscape in the UK.
