- The TALENT Programme: Interventions and Impact report evidences transformative changes in the UK’s technical workforce within five years
- Technical professionals are more empowered and equipped, resulting in more positive workplace cultures
- Report calls for funders and employers to recognise the blurring of boundaries between technical and academic roles, ensuring opportunities and mechanisms to move between career pathways
A ground-breaking programme which aimed to advance the status, skills and careers of technicians has played a pivotal role in transforming the UK’s technical workforce in higher education and research.
The TALENT programme launched in March 2020 to address the shortage of highly skilled technicians, strengthen UK technical capabilities to support academic excellence and drive economic growth.
Underpinned by a grant of more than £3 million from Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and led by the Midlands Innovation (MI) consortium of eight universities and sector industry partners, it was the largest ever investment into technicians in higher education and research at that time.
Five years later, technical professionals in the sector are more empowered and equipped, whilst more organisations are working to recognise and champion the critical role and contributions of technicians.
A new report 'The TALENT Programme: Interventions and Impact' has been published which evidences tangible, positive changes the programme has achieved, ahead of its closure on 28 February 2025.
- Extensive data about the UK’s technical workforce has bridged a critical knowledge gap of the technical workforce in higher education and research.
- Six research reports totalling 48 recommendations have significantly advanced sector knowledge, influencing changes in national funding policies and elevating the status of technical professionals.
- The landmark TALENT Commission published a blueprint for the future of the UK’s technical workforce; four regional research partnerships have taken substantial steps to implement the report recommendations, impacting 24 research-intensive universities.
- Technicians who enacted – or saw their institutions enacting – Recommendations 2 and 8 from the TALENT Commission report were more likely to describe their workplace culture as positive.
- Around 1,000 technicians have benefited from the very first leadership programme designed for women in technical roles, addressing one of the workforce’s biggest equality, diversity and inclusion challenges.
- Close to 6,000 tailored development programmes and training sessions, have enhanced technical careers nationwide.
- The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy was established to continue and expand the work of TALENT, to build a sustainable and skilled technical workforce for the future.
Dr Kelly Vere, MBE, TALENT Lead, Director of UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy commented on the report findings, ahead of TALENT’s closure.
“The scale of impact TALENT has had - at every level of the sector - is undeniable. Our strategic insights have influenced changes in national funding policies, unlocked progress within universities and research institutes and changed the lives of individuals who have benefited from career opportunities.
“There’s been extensive engagement from the UK’s technical community, highlighting the need for bespoke technical professional development. Ground-breaking initiatives have fostered increased recognition, inclusion and equity for technical staff across the UK.
“When TALENT launched five years ago, the landscape was very different for technical professionals. The Technician Commitment was galvanising institutional support to change the culture for technical staff and TALENT allowed us to develop, trial and implement interventions to accelerate progress.
“The TALENT Commission provided a robust evidence base to ensure the future sustainability of the technical workforce, leading to further investment to set up the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (UK ITSS). We look forward to building on the legacy of TALENT to scale out successful interventions and advocate for the technical community.”
Steven Hill, Director of Research, Research England said:
“Research published by TALENT has led to changes in national policy and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, to ensure fair attribution and recognition for technicians
“This programme is an example of partners working collaboratively to deliver change that is far-reaching, helping to strengthen the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem overall.
“Its success is testament to our further investment in the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy which will carry forward this agenda.”
Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chair of Midlands Innovation and Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor at Cranfield University also commented:
“Through its ambitious work packages, TALENT has allowed us to strategically advance the development of technical skills, foster diversity and inclusion, and create a stronger, more connected technical community.
“It has empowered technicians to work within a culture that values their contributions to research, teaching, and knowledge exchange, while also encouraging their development and career progression.
“This report highlights the significant strides we have made and celebrates the contributions of our technical staff, a vital part of our university communities.”
The TALENT programme will formally conclude on 28 February 2025. The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy will continue and expand the work of TALENT as a legacy vehicle for the programme.
