STEM Technical Careers The UK needs over 700,000 more technicians in the next decade, yet many people are unaware of the rewarding technical careers available. Chris Turgoose

Introduction Technical Development and Modernisation project at the University of Sheffield: Researching career pathways for technicians in Higher Education Entry routes for new and existing technicians Find out more: www.shef.ac.uk/tdm “Technicians have always been vital to the very best research and teaching in universities, and their contribution has been undervalued for too long. In Sheffield, our scientific technicians have worked on the Hadron Collider in CERN and they are true partners in addressing the great medical and environmental challenges of our time.” – Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor, the University of Sheffield

What is a technician?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPl1royEOU&t=1s

Technicians are . . . “No two days are the same” Technical experts Demonstrators and Teachers Problem solvers Technicians are . . . Contributors to and co-authors of scientific papers Researchers Highly Skilled

Need for technicians “Over 40% of HE technicians are 50 or over” - HEFCE Data “450,000 technicians needed across all sectors by 2020” Technician Council, 2012 “700,000 new technicians needed by 2020” Gatsby, 2016

Technical Career pathways Apprenticeship or Traineeship Route Degree Route Industry Route

Career progression and recognition

Professional Registration “Professional registration with the Science Council provides independent recognition of your achieving and maintaining the exacting standards required to join the global community of professional scientists.”

How can you help your students explore technical careers? ‘Technicians Make it Happen’ campaign Apprenticeships Other career websites UoS technicians talks in schools (contact Widening Participation)

Technicians Make It Happen Technicians.org.uk

Apprenticeships and Traineeships www.getingofar.gov.uk www.gov.uk/find-traineeship

Now let’s hear from technicians working at the University of Sheffield

Other Useful Resources More information on technicians: www.gatsby.org.uk/education/programmes/the-technician-workforce www.shef.ac.uk/tdm Career Navigator with technical pathways: www.cogentskills.com/new-talent/individuals/careers

Feedback: Was this helpful? What else would it be useful for you to know? Do you have any ideas on how to enthuse students about technical careers? How can we share this career path with students? Contact me at: tdm@Sheffield.ac.uk