1. 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

2. 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:
“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

3. What is a technician?

5. 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

6. 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

7. Technical Career pathways
Apprenticeship or Traineeship Route
Degree Route
Industry Route

9. Career progression and recognition

10. 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.”

11. 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)

12. Technicians Make It Happen
Technicians.org.uk

13. Apprenticeships and Traineeships

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

15. Other Useful Resources
More information on technicians:
Career Navigator with technical pathways:

16. 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?
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