What is your job title, and what department do you work in?
I am Head of Infrastructure Operations in the Faculty of Medicine Centre.
Why do you think the Technician Commitment is important?
The Technician Commitment helps to frame the support and development of our technical community. Technicians are vital to the running of academic departments and the knowledge and input into teaching and research outcomes is important to foster. The Technician Commitment and action plans put in place are vital to staff retention and recruitment and it offers personal and professional development, outreach and apprentice opportunities.
What do you enjoy about being involved with the Technician Commitment?
The variation of roles covered by the term technician is extremely interesting. Being involved in networking opportunities, not only in ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ but across the London and SE academic institutions, is insightful and a good way to share best practice and new ideas. Seeing technicians develop and progress in their career through the actions developed through the Technician Commitment is very fulfilling.
What has the Technician Commitment achieved at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ that you are most proud of?
I am very impressed with the apprentice scheme across ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, which has been a very good springboard to get people at an early career stage into a technical role. Providing a network for the Technicians and the resources needed to aid development has been a great success at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, and I’m very proud to be a part of that.
Tell us something interesting you have discovered about technicians (past or present) at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
The range of roles under the technician banner is always an interesting point for me. Some specialties or niche roles are now more visible and previously siloed staff are given support and recognised for their contribution.
What is your top tip for technicians who would like to progress their careers at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ?’
Take time to look at your skill sets and to identify opportunities for development. Speak to other staff with varying roles and responsibilities to learn from the wide expertise and experience we have in our technician community at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
Tell us something that people would be surprised to find out about you!
I nearly didn’t get a technician position at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. In my application, they scored me for a Postdoc role, and at the last minute, the panel invited me for an interview for the technician role I’d applied for. That was 25 years ago, and I’m still here at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.