Technician Commitment

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Don’t miss these training opportunities for technical professionals in 2026

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

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

Upcoming career development opportunities for technical professionals in 2026 👇🏾

WinterFest: buff.ly/ILUHg9P
@rsb.org.uk technical skills courses: buff.ly/hq8HBTI
@uk-itss.bsky.social Learning & Development Academy: buff.ly/PFKYBS4
SpringFest: details tba

Dates for your diary in 2026

12–23 January: UK ITSS WinterFest, Online. 9 February: Collaboration Fund application deadline – Details on our website. 27–29 March: TMU Annual Conference, Calman Learning Centre, Durham University. 28–29 April: UK Technology Specialists Network Conference, Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon.

11–22 May: UK ITSS SpringFest, Online. 2 June: Technician Commitment Signatory Event, London. 1 July: Technicians in Partnership Conference, Newcastle University.

Mark your calendars for 2026! Swipe below to see what exciting events and opportunities our community can look forward to in 2026 👇🏾

Photo of 14 technicians sat around 2 tables taking part in a workshop. Text reads: 'Looking back at 2025'. Technician Commitment logo.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 are proud to welcome the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to our global supporter community.

Read more on our website 👉 www.techniciancommitment.org.uk/the-associat...

Learn more about IChemE 👉 www.icheme.org

Collaboration Fund Now Open. Grants of between £100–1000 available

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

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

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

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

Group photo of all 110 technicians who attended the November 2025 Technician Commitment signatory event

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

Guppy Award - Mineralogical Society of the UK and Ireland Eileen Guppy Technicians’ Award © Photograph of Eileen Guppy courtesy of the British Geological Survey (image no. p810156) This is a new award of the Mineralogical Society with the first award to be…

🏆 Eileen Guppy Technicians’ Award 2027
🔹A new award celebrating contributions of technicians in the fields of Mineralogy and Earth Sciences
📅 Deadline April 2026
➡️ www.minersoc.org/guppy-award....

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"

Congratulations @jiteenahmed.bsky.social of @astonuniversity.bsky.social, named @timeshighered.bsky.social Outstanding Technician of the Year 2026 at yesterday’s #THEAwards & to Helena Brown of @universityofleeds.bsky.social who was highly commended for the award👏
Read more👉https://shorturl.at/h96qC

Collage celebrating the eight 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 and 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 and Environment at the University of Leeds; John Nicolson, Technician Development Adviser at the University of Cambridge. Bottom row (left to right): Joe Rees-Jones, Research Technician in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York; Kate Robinson, Ruminant Section Manager at Harper Adams University’s Future Farm.

Monday reading: Meet the 8 shortlisted nominees for the 2025 @timeshighered.bsky.social Outstanding Technician of the Year award ➡️ shorturl.at/6IVv0
We’re proud to sponsor the award – winner announced this Thursday at the #THEAwards

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-technica...

A very warm welcome to Pirbright Institute.

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 will be on 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-...

Outstanding Technician of the Year 2025 shortlist:
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

@uk-itss.bsky.social is gathering research data from UK LGBTQIA+ technical professionals

10 min survey, 28 questions on comfort and inclusion at work, career progression, bullying and harassment and support at work. Respondents can win £100

👉 Take part research.shift-insight.co.uk/ITSS-LGBTQIA...

The best way to stay up-to-date with Technician Commitment opportunities, events and news is via our newsletter! Sent out seasonally so you're inboxes stay light.

Subscribe: eepurl.com/iTx2WM

Free learning and development workshops at AutumnFest - UK ITSS AutumnFest is an online learning festival for technical professionals working in UK universities and research institutes.

AutumnFest is an online learning festival for technical professionals working in UK universities and research institutes taking place 8-12 September. Register for a workshop (or several!) here: itss.org.uk/free-learnin...

Registrations for the @rsc.org 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: www.rsc.org/events/detai...

Today we celebrate two years of impact.

Together with @tech-commit.bsky.social we've continued to champion technical talent, shape national policy, and support organisations

📸 The team behind our learning and development courses, research and policy, events and operations (Credit Alex Wilkinson)

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/process/1QDN...

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. www.royce.ac.uk/events/ntpmi...

AutumnFest 2025 UK ITSS is proud to be running AutumnFest for technical professionals in Sept 2025. We've got free sessions on career development, technical teaching, project management and more. Open to all UK techn...

Bookings are now open for AutumnFest, a free online learning festival taking place Sep 8-12, hosted by @uk-itss.bsky.social. This year's line up features workshops on building resilience, career guidance, coaching conversations and more.

Register here: itss.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?...

🎙️New Episode!🎙️

Don't miss our newest episode, a live recording of our #HETS2025 workshop with the amazing Kelly Vere from @tech-commit.bsky.social

www.buzzsprout.com/2388868/epis...

Dr Simon Andrews, Head of Bioinformatics at the Babraham Institute, holding a certificate and an award for the 2025 Papin Prize for Contribution to Research. Image courtesy of The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. Photography by Alex Wilkinson Media.

AWARD NEWS | Following Simon's award for Contribution to Research in the #PapinPrizes, our article covers just a slice of Simon's impact on the Institute's research, on #bioinformatics and on empowering researchers across the world by demystifying data analysis.

www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...

Latest report published by @uk-itss.bsky.social showcases 12 case studies from institutions hosting T Level students

Read more ⤵️

Thanks for joining us yesterday!

Had the best time at #HETS today. Brilliant workshops, inspiring talks and of course excellent grub! #technicansmakeithappen

@sotonbiosciences.bsky.social @tech-commit.bsky.social @unisotontechs.bsky.social

The technical community is invited to join @rsc.org 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: www.rsc.org/events/detai...

Next week #HETS2025 celebrates its tenth anniversary year.

It's the longest-running event dedicated to celebrating and recognising achievements of technical professionals in #highered and #research and we're proud to deliver it alongside Midlands Innovation