Midlands Innovation launches national survey of technical staff in UK higher education & research
The Research England funded Midlands Innovation TALENT programme is undertaking the largest ever survey of technicians in higher education and research across the UK.
TALENT is a 4 year programme to advance status and opportunity for technical skills, roles and careers in UK higher education and research.
The national survey of technical staff launches on February 4th and provides technical colleagues across the country with an opportunity to contribute to TALENT’s national Policy Commission. The Commission is building sector knowledge and understanding of the technical workforce across higher education and research and will provide strategic insight into the future skills and careers needs of the UK technical community.
Speaking about the survey, Professor Sir John Holman, Chair of the TALENT Policy Commission, said:
This survey will play a vital part in informing the Policy Commission. We want to hear directly from technicians about their experiences so we can better understand their needs. The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of academic research for making and implementing policy, and the critical role of technicians in both research and teaching. Now more than ever, we need to understand the technician workforce in higher education and research, so we can better support them and enable technicians to give their best.
Kelly Vere, MBE, Programme lead for MI TALENT, added:
This is a once in a generation opportunity for technicians to have their voice heard through a national policy commission which will shine the spotlight on our profession. Through this survey we will better understand the needs of technical staff, which will help us to advocate for them and provide support that they need in order to develop their careers and skills. I strongly encourage technical colleagues across the UK to complete it, your feedback is hugely important in ensuring the voice of the community is heard.
The survey opens on 4th February and closes on 28th of February. All participants will also go into a prize draw to win £100.
