Technician Commitment

UWE Bristol is one of the proud founding signatories who have pledged to take action to remove the barriers and face the challenges affecting technical staff

What is the Technician Commitment?

The Technician Commitment is a university and research institution initiative led by a steering group of sector bodies, with support from the Science Council and the Gatsby Foundation.

The Commitment aims to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research across all disciplines.

UWE Bristol is one of the proud founding signatories who have pledged to take action to remove the barriers and face the challenges affecting technical staff. The Commitment has grown significantly and now has over 90 signatories.

The Commitment includes four key areas:

  • Visibility - ensuring that all technicians within the organisation are identifiable and that the contribution of technicians is visible within and beyond the institution.
  • Recognition - supporting technicians to gain recognition through professional registration and external awards schemes.
  • Career development - enabling career progression opportunities for technicians through the provision of clear, documented career pathways.
  • Sustainability - ensuring the future sustainability of technical skills across the organisation and that technical expertise is fully utilised.

UWE Bristol Technician Commitment Action Plan

Read our Technician Commitment Action Plan (PDF) for more information.

Technician staff stories

Our staff are drawn from a wide pool. Many come from the industry, bringing a broad range of experience. We also attract those with a more academic background and experience of teaching or research. Browse our staff stories to find out more about what it's really like to work in Technical Services at UWE Bristol.

"I have been able to make use of a flexitime system and flexible working arrangements to manage caring responsibilities when my children were younger"

Siamak , Senior IT Instructor in the Education department.

How did you come to be working at UWE Bristol?

"I have worked at UWE Bristol since the early 1990s. When the job came up as an IT Support Technician in the then Faculty of Education, I saw that it matched my skillset, interests and academic training as I have a degree in social science and postgraduate qualification in computing."

What career development have you undertaken whilst in your technician role?

"As part of my current role as a Senior IT Instructor, I was given the opportunity to complete a postgraduate degree in education. I found the course extremely useful and it has helped me a great deal in terms of my skillset for delivering training to students. Additionally, it has been helpful in supporting development of my workshops and curriculum materials.

"The education sector develops at a pace and you need to keep your skills and experience current. This also extends to broader areas such as understanding mental health in the University environment and, as a learning institution, UWE Bristol is very encouraging in all aspects of development.

"My job goes far beyond just delivering technical skills because I have to be aware of personal, social and emotional issues that students experience.

“As my own son is embarking on his journey into higher education, my experience of working with new students is helping me to reflect, understand and support him in the right way."

What do you value most working for UWE Bristol?

“The higher education environment and my role also provide a level of autonomy and the opportunity to be creative. Furthermore, it has given support for my wider interests, such as a volunteer school governor. There is lots that I value.

"UWE Bristol’s values are aligned with my own personal values which is positive from a wellbeing perspective.

"I have been able to make use of a flexitime system and flexible working arrangements to manage caring responsibilities when my children were younger."

"I have also undertaken research overseas on behalf of the then faculty in collaboration with an academic member of staff.

"There are challenges – because with autonomy and responsibility in a role there is the need to balance that freedom against the expected deliverables. But that's just the nature of any professional role."

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