MI TALENT Conference highlights achievements and future prospects

Talent Conference 2025

Aston University recently hosted the MI TALENT Learning and Development Conference for technical managers, marking a significant milestone as the project nears its conclusion.

The event provided a platform to reflect on the project’s achievements and its substantial impact on the technical workforce. The conference featured inspiring testimonials from technical staff who shared how the training and development opportunities offered by MI TALENT had transformed their professional lives and those of their teams. 

A day of reflection and engaging discussion

The day began with representatives from each Midlands Innovation university presenting how TALENT has facilitated career advancements within their institutions. Discussions highlighted the positive impact of TALENT funding and training opportunities, as well as the importance of networking and intelligence sharing. Attendees spoke of acquiring new skills and gaining the confidence to apply for regrading or new roles, emphasising the project’s wide-ranging impact.  

A key highlight of the event was the acknowledgement of the dedicated technical training team: Sandy Sparks, Edward Bowerman, Emily Thorpe, Dr. Lindsay Davies, and Sarah Allen. This team has delivered nearly 450 training and development sessions throughout the project. They have also curated an extensive set of legacy resources for the technical community, including videos, reflective workbooks, and training toolkits, which are now available on the ITSS website for all to access and use. 

The event concluded with a final training session on how to raise your personal profile as a technician. This fitting end to the conference provided practical advice and reflections, highlighting how this community of professionals has embraced open dialogue to address key issues. 

Dr Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation, said: “The MI TALENT Learning and Development Conference showcased the project’s positive impact and the dedication of everyone involved, highlighting what can be achieved through collaborative efforts in the academic community. As the MI TALENT project draws to a close, many of the initiatives developed during the project are set to transition to The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy and ensures that technicians from across Midlands Innovation will continue to have access to technician-focused development opportunities.

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