ITSS is funded by Research England, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is being hosted by the University of Nottingham in partnership with a network of organisations and institutions across UK higher education and research.
In this forthcoming academic year, 500 UK-wide technicians will benefit from the tailor-made programmes which provide in-depth and tailored learning and development opportunities to the technical workforce, building on the success of the Research England funded TALENT Programme.
Applications are now open for the 2024 Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership, which returns for its third cohort, and applications for the new Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes open on 31 October 2023.
Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Director for ITSS and University Director of Technical Strategy for University of Nottingham said:
“The new UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy is delivering an innovative approach to enhancing the capabilities, knowledge and skills of the UK’s technical workforce. These leadership programmes offer bespoke modules that have been designed especially for the unique needs of the technical community and have been piloted by hundreds of technicians through the TALENT Programme.”
The six-month Herschel Programme is a flagship national programme designed to elevate and advance opportunities for current or aspiring technical leaders who identify as women.
The Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes includes three leadership programmes for current and aspiring technical leaders who want to prepare for a new management role, improve collaboration skills or develop technical capabilities and confidence at work.
Kelly added: “The Herschel Programme has already been a real success story and has built a thriving community of women leaders of more than 500 individuals from 70 different organisations. We’re running Herschel for a third year, coupled with The Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes, which gives even greater choice to more technicians, not just women.
I’m confident these programmes will help the sector to achieve great leadership at all levels, so it can meet the future needs of a thriving research and development sectors. These programmes will play a key role in developing skills and behaviours needed for leading people and teams, supports the vision set out in the R&D People and Culture Strategy and also delivers on the recommendations to the sector in the TALENT Commission report.”
Find out more about the Institute’s leadership programmes here.
