A global initiative focussed on ensuring visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians in all disciplines. Hosted by @uk_itss
Upcoming career development opportunities for technical professionals in 2026 👇🏾
WinterFest: buff.ly/ILUHg9P
Royal Society of Biology technical skills courses: buff.ly/hq8HBTI
ITSS Learning & Development Academy: buff.ly/PFKYBS4
SpringFest: details tba
ALT Don’t miss these training opportunities for technical professionals in 2026
ALT WinterFest – 12–23 January: Online learning festival for technical professionals delivered by UK ITSS Learning & Development Academy.
RSB Training Courses – 22 January: Courses in Aseptic Techniques and Cell Culture: The Basics at the University of York – special bundle offer available for booking onto both courses.
RSB Training Courses – 28-29 April: Courses in Microscopy & Microbiology and ELISA at Brunel University, London
ALT SpringFest – 11–22 May: Online learning festival for technical professionals delivered by UK ITSS Learning & Development Academy.
RSB Training Courses – 10 June: Courses in Aseptic Techniques and Cell Culture: The Basics at the University of York – special bundle offer available for booking onto both courses
ITSS Learning & Development Academy: New expert-led course offerings throughout 2026, with prices starting from £0 and flexible learning options
As we look forward to 2026, here are just a few standout moments from this year.
Thank you for all your support and engagement in 2025 – we look forward to continuing to work together in the new year. Stay tuned to see what’s next for Technician Commitment in 2026!
ALT Photo of 14 technicians sat around 2 tables taking part in a workshop. Text reads: 'Looking back at 2025'. Technician Commitment logo.
ALT Text reads '8 new signatories'. Logos of the 8 new signatories arranged alphabetically: Bath Spa University; Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University; Malaghan Institute of Medical Research; Monash University; The Pirbright Institute; University of Cumbria; University of Westminster; University of Westminster.
ALT Text reads '7 new supporters'. Logos of the 7 new supporter organisations arranged alphabetically: Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare; Association of Technical Staff in Psychology; The Chartered Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences; Institution of Chemical Engineers; University Biosciences Managers Association; Society for the Environment; University Vocational Awards Council.
ALT Text reads: '2 successful signatory events bringing together almost 200 signatory and supporter leads from across our community'. 2 photos showing all delegates who attended each of the 2 signatory events.
We are proud to welcome the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to our global supporter community.
Read more on our website 👉 techniciancommitment.org.uk/…
Learn more about IChemE 👉 icheme.org/
ALT Text reads: 'New supporter announcement: The Institution of Chemical Engineers Joins the Technician Commitment'. The Institution of Chemical Engineera (IChemE) logo. Decorative image of test tubes containing assorted colourful liquids.
We warmly invite members of our signatory institutions to apply for the Technician Commitment Collaboration Fund, a small grants scheme allowing for signatories to undertake projects with external partners.
Read more and apply before 9 February 2026 👉 shorturl.at/1aeJT
ALT Collaboration Fund Now Open.
Grants of between £100–1000 available
ALT What is the Collaboration Fund?
A small grants scheme that funds collaborative projects between Technician Commitment signatory institutions and external partners that advance the aims of the Technician Commitment
Who can apply?
Any staff member at a Technician Commitment signatory organisation. Collaborating external organisations do not need to be signatories.
How much funding is on offer?
Up to 5 grants ranging between £100–1000 each. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.
Swipe for funding criteria & application process
ALT Your project is a collaboration with any UK-based external partner(s) – they don’t have to be a Technician Commitment signatory.
The project will take place between 1 April and 31 December 2026
Your institution is a signatory to the Technician Commitment
Your project advances at least 1 pillar of the Technician Commitment: Visibility, Recognition, Career Development and Sustainability
Eligibility checklist
More details on our website
ALT To apply, complete the application form by
9 February 2026.
Questions? See our website for more information or contact Clare Stevenson at tc@itss.org.uk
Our November 2025 signatory event brought together 110 technicians from 85 Technician Commitment signatory and supporter events, including our first international signatory.
Check out some of the highlights of the day ➡️ shorturl.at/5phIp
ALT Group photo of all 110 technicians who attended the November 2025 Technician Commitment signatory event
ALT Jiteen Ahmed, Head of Technical Services in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, stands centre-stage at the Times Higher Education Awards ceremony, holding his Outstanding Technician of the Year Award trophy, flanked by Technician Commitment Programme Lead Kelly Vere MBE and one of the THE Award judges. s. All three are dressed in formal evening wear. Behind them, a large screen displays a photograph of Jiteen alongside bold text reading “Outstanding Technician of the Year – Winner: Jiteen Ahmed, Aston University"
Monday reading: Meet the 8 shortlisted nominees for the 2025 @timeshighered Outstanding Technician of the Year Award ➡️ shorturl.at/6IVv0
We are proud sponsors of the award – winner announced this Thursday at the #THEAwards
ALT Collage celebrating the 8 nominees shortlisted for the 2025 Times Higher Education Outstanding Technician of the Year Award. Top row: Phil Chaplain, Engineering Services Manager and Health & Safety Coordinator in the School of Computing, Engineering & Technology at Robert Gordon University. Second row (left to right): Linda Lightley, Scientific Officer in the School of Design at Northumbria University; Jiteen Ahmed, Head of Technical Services in the College of Health & Life Sciences at Aston University; Alex Laude, Head of Biomedical Research Facilities at Newcastle University. Third row (left to right): Helena Brown, Technical Specialist in the School of Earth & Environment at University of Leeds; John Nicolson, Technician Development Adviser at University of Cambridge. Bottom row (left to right): Joe Rees-Jones, Research Technician in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology at University of York; Kate Robinson, Ruminant Section Manager at Harper Adams University’s Future Farm
100s of technicians start their mentoring journey
The Cross Institution Mentoring Scheme (CIMS-T), led by Dorothea Mangels, Lisa Bedder, and Trevor Hardy, offers specialist mentoring support for technical professionals
Read more itss.org.uk/100-technical-pr…
A very warm welcome to Pirbright Institute @Pirbright_Inst
This world-leading centre of excellence in the research and surveillance of viral diseases of livestock and viruses that spread from animals to humans has joined the Technician Commitment community.
Our next signatory event is 18 November 2025 in London. Technician Commitment leads have been sent an invite with the link and password to register.
Places are limited to one representative per institution. If you'd like to join the waiting list, please email tc@itss.org.uk
Interested in hosting your first industry placement?
100's of technical professionals are already helping young people get valuable hands-on experience through #TLevels industry placements.
Download the free report and toolkit here: itss.org.uk/support-for-orga…
Outstanding Technician of the Year;
Jiteen Ahmed Aston University
Alex Laude Newcastle University
Helena Brown Uni of Leeds
Joe Rees-Jones Uni of York
John Nicolson Uni of Cambridge
Kate Robinson Harper Adams Uni
Linda Lightley Northumbria Uni
Phil Chaplain Robert Gordon Uni
Registrations for the @RoySocChem Technician Commitment relaunch event close 15 August. Don't miss out on this free event honouring their five-year support of the Technician Commitment.
Places are limited, and travel bursaries up to £200 are available: rsc.org/events/detail/81027/…
The CASES Technical Special Interest Group (TSIG) is hosting its first in person event on 4 September, open to all who seek to empower and support technical colleagues in sport, health and exercise science.
Registration is free and closes on 20 Aug: bases-live.workbooks.com/pro…
Register for the Technicians in Materials Innovation Conference hosted by the National Technical Platform for Materials Innovation (NTPMI) taking place 5 September! Open to Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) working in #materials science in the UK. royce.ac.uk/events/ntpmi-con…
The technical community is invited to join @RoySocChem on 3 September at Burlington House to celebrate five years of their support of the Technician Commitment.
The event is free to attend with limited travel bursaries available. More info and register: rsc.org/events/detail/81027/…
Our seasonal newsletters provide key updates on signatory and supporter events, upcoming funding and development opportunities and sector news catered to technical leaders working in higher education and research. Don't miss the next one and subscribe: eepurl.com/iTx2WM
Today we’re celebrating eight years of the Technician Commitment 🎉
From 36 founding signatories to over 130 signatories & supporters, we’re proud to have kickstarted a shift in advancing the profile of technical professionals in #highered and #research. piped.video/3u38q35uREs?feature…
This week we hosted representatives from our signatory and supporter institutions for our 14th signatory event in Belfast.
Read more: techniciancommitment.org.uk/…
The @timeshighered Outstanding Technician of the Year award recognises an individual whose exceptional practical skills, commitment and vision has enabled the highest quality teaching, research or knowledge transfer.
Nominate by Monday 9 June: the-awards.co.uk/2025/en/pag…
Just 7 more sleeps until we welcome delegates for the 14th signatory and supporter event. We look forward to seeing all our Technician Commitment institutional leads and champions in Belfast next Wednesday!
This is the last weekend to apply for the Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership delivered by @NottmUniBschool!
If you've already applied, please ensure line manager statements are submitted before the deadline on Monday 28 April: nottingham.ac.uk/business/ex…
ALT Quote: The sessions were very thought provoking and raised a challenge for us to consider what actions we were doing and the responsibility we have, not just locally but also nationally.” Pictured: Jen Gallagher, Laboratory Manager, University of Dundee
📣 Calling all current and aspiring Strategic Technical Leaders! We've partnered with the world-renowned @NottmUniBschool and @uk_itss to deliver an Executive Programme catered to technical leaders, beginning this July.
Applications close 28 April: nottingham.ac.uk/business/ex…
Just two weeks left to register for our next signatory event! Don't miss the chance to network with institutional leads, hear sector updates and share best practice.
Where: Riddel Hall, Belfast
When: 14 May
Check your inbox for the link and password to register via Eventbrite.
Our teams are now out of office but will be back online from 2 January 2025. Thank you for your tireless efforts and commitment to growing an engaging and empowered community!
Wishing you all a restful holiday season.
🗞️ Our winter newsletter includes upcoming events for 2025, how to apply for our Collaboration Fund, the recently published report on Strategic Technical Leadership and more! Read the latest: mailchi.mp/itss.org.uk/winte…
Subscribe to future newsletters: eepurl.com/iTx2WM
The annual @MI_TechTalent#WinterFest taking place 13-24 January. They're hosting free sessions on career development, technical teaching, project management and more. Open to UK technicians only.
Register here: eventbrite.com/cc/winterfest…
We’re proud to sponsor the Outstanding Technician of the Year Award for the sixth year in the row at the #THEAwards
Tonight is a reminder to recognise all the technicians that go above and beyond on a daily basis. Congratulations to all the nominees!
Many thanks to Dame Ottoline Leyser @UKRI_CEO, Michelle Rea @GatsbyEd, Tim Savage @TimSavagephoto and Victoria Talbot @Victoria1972 for sharing why this book is invaluable to technicians in the higher education and research sector.
Our evening reception saw the launch of “Technicians in Higher Education and Research”. Chair of the Technician Commitment Steering Board, Clare Viney began the evening’s speeches in the Terrace Room, overlooking a few of London’s iconic buildings.
Hugely grateful to @DuncanShermer Head of Research Excellence Framework (REF) Evaluation and Development for offering updates on the status of developing REF 2029, including a People, Culture and Environment (PCE) pilot assessment.
Research Fellow @Catrin_MITalent@MI_TechTalent launches the latest report published by the @uk_itss Research and Policy Group ‘Strategic Technical Leadership: Advocacy, Empowerment and Transformation’ sharing key insights followed by an insightful Q&A
Many thanks to @IanHancoxUoW and @Jo_Scamp for introducing us to the growing networks under the @uk_itss umbrella and updating us on the plethora activity delivered as part of TSN ROKS @UKTSNetwork
Workshops are designed for each table to share feedback (positive and negative) regarding specific criteria questions and how well they fit the framework.
Associate Lead @SWBreeden introduces developments in the TC Index and opens the floor for feedback from the technical community. The TC Index is due to launch formally in January 2026.
Universities T Levels Supoort Manager @JoHM_1@uk_itss shares progress on her work since May in reaching out to universities as providers of T Level placements. #TLevels#SkillsForLife
ITSS Consulting is the not-for-profit professional development partner for the technical community in higher education and research.
Want to learn more about this service? Attend the next Technically Speaking webinar hosted by @uk_itss on 27 Nov: itss.org.uk/what-is-itss-con…
Co-Director of @uk_itss Ian Hancox (@IanHancoxUoW) kicks off the closing residential for the Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership.
Looking forward to two engaging days before welcoming the wider strategic technical leaders #network who join us on Friday.
Just two weeks left until our next signatory event in London! We look forward to hosting over 100 technical institutional leads for a day of sector updates, sharing best practice and a very special evening book launch.
📣 Now open: ALERT 2024
@BBSRC's ALERT programme is open to researchers and research technical professionals in any UK research organisation. Funds support the purchase of mid-range equipment for research across BBSRC's scientific areas.
Apply: ukri.org/opportunity/mid-ran…
The Lab Awards, hosted by @LABINNOVATIONS and @laboratorynews, are BACK this year to celebrate the best and brightest within the entire laboratory industry.
Highlight your company's innovations or members of your team and submit an entry today: lab-innovations.com/awards-a…
Did you know there are 12 categories in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards?
This includes two #TLevel categories for the very first time!
Whether you're an individual or a business, find out which categories you can enter: ow.ly/GFtN50Sx5y2#SkillsAwards2024
🎖️ The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards are designed to recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and T Level students, skills champions and apprenticeship and T Level employers. Nomination window is open now until 19 July: appawards.co.uk/
ALT Black background with white text reading “National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024. Celebrating excellence in skills. Applications open 10/06/2024”
Don’t forget to submit your nominations for this year’s @timeshighered ‘Outstanding Technician of the Year’. It is open to technicians working in any discipline within higher education or research in the UK and Ireland. #THEAwards24
🔔 Closing 10 June: the-awards.co.uk/2024/en/pag…
ALT Key dates for the THE Awards 2024. Entry window opens: Thursday 11 April 2024
Entry window closes: Monday 10 June 2024
Shortlist published: Thursday 5 September 2024
THE Awards ceremony: Thursday 28 November 2024
The Technician Commitment turns 7 today! Since 2017, we’ve grown to encompass over 120 signatory & supporter organisations pledging to raise the profile of #technical skills, roles and careers.
Celebrate our progress and read our latest report: techniciancommitment.org.uk/…#TCturns7
ALT Cover of Technician Commitment report titled “Inception to Impact: Seven Years of the Technician Commitment” with an image of two marine hydrodynamics and structures research group technicians, Newcastle University
We are thrilled to share our latest report ‘Inception to Impact: Seven Years of the Technician Commitment’, highlighting the tremendous progress to made by our founding signatories since 2017. #InceptiontoImpact 💫
Read the report: techniciancommitment.org.uk/…
School technician Mark Dabee Saltmarsh (@DT_Technician@cardiffmet) closes off our speeches saying, “As a technician in a Welsh university, I wholeheartedly welcome and support initiatives like the Technician Commitment, WIN, and the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy”
ALT Mark shares his experience as a technician and the benefits of supporting initiatives that recognise technicians
Professor Wendy Larner, President and VC of Cardiff University (@cardiffuni) announces @GW4Alliance’s joint endorsement of the @MI_TechTalent Commission and thanks the collaborative efforts of the Technician Commitment and Wales Innovation Network (@WIN_Cymru) to drive change.