Technician Commitment

As founding members of the Kent Technician Network, we are proud to have joined the Technician Commitment. Over the next 36 months, we will implement the action plan outlined below:

Visibility 

• Develop a social media presence.
• Create cross-departmental calendars to facilitate engagement.
• Promote the availability of technical staff for collaboration on research projects.

Recognition

• Establish guidelines for researchers on involving technical staff in research and recognising their contributions.
• Share examples showcasing the impact of technicians in research.
• Ensure technicians are represented in recruitment processes across departments.
• Create “Technician Galleries” in the Verena Holmes building (for Science, Health, Engineering, and Anatomy technicians) and in the Daphne Oram building (for Art technicians).

Career development 

• Expand the pilot of 'protected time' for learning and development.
• Launch a central virtual noticeboard to share CPD and training opportunities.
• Increase awareness of the technical framework, including role expectations and progression.

Sustainability (of technical workforce)

• Develop secondment and placement opportunities.
• Build partnerships with local institutions to enable skill sharing.
• Strengthen our technical voice across the University.