Imperial launches new support for technicians

The Technicians' Portal brings together the support and development opportunities Imperial offers to its technical staff.

Imperial has launched the Technicians’ Portal, an online resource for Imperial’s technician community. It includes information on the support Imperial offers for technicians wishing to pursue professional registration.

The development of the portal is one of the steps Imperial has taken under the Science Council’s Technician Commitment. Imperial was one of the founder signatories of the commitment, a sector-wide initiative to promote visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians across all disciplines.

Technicians at Imperial play a key role in both research and teaching – from manufacturing casings for spacecraft, to creating rigs to test how prosthetic limbs respond to forces.

Imperial’s Provost, Professor James Stirling, said: “World-class experimental research and teaching depends on a highly skilled and motivated workforce of technical staff. We rely on our technicians to perform some of the most complex and challenging tasks in the university.”

Professional registration

Imperial was recently awarded Employer Champion status by the Science Council, in recognition of the College’s dedication to the quality and practice of science through the professional development and registration of their technicians and scientists. Professional registration is awarded by a range of professional bodies, licenced by either the Science or Engineering Council, and consists of the demonstration of competencies, knowledge and a commitment to professional development. It is based on experience and ‘on the job’ learning, not academic qualifications.

Lukasz Bukowski is a Senior Laboratory Technician in the Department of Life Sciences, supporting 25 research groups with their activities. He said: “I really recommend all technicians at the College apply for professional registration. It offers an acknowledgement of your experience and hard work and shows your level of competence and your commitment to ongoing professional development.”

Allison Hunter is the department’s Technical Operations Manager, overseeing the department’s equipment, service provision and technical staff. She said: “Professional registration is a national benchmark for technical staff providing independent recognition of your skill level and the fact that you maintain and refresh these skills regularly. It serves as a framework for your career development and not only gives you visibility and recognition of your professional status within your university but across academia and industry.”