Technician Commitment

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."

“In 2003 I graduated with a Biomedical Science degree after studying for four years, which included a work placement year in America. During the summer I graduated, I applied for a job online at UWE Bristol as a Senior Research Technician assisting in two different areas: molecular biology and radiation protection. The job offered a broad spectrum of experience, which just after graduating was exactly what I wanted.

"In 2008 the Radiation Protection Supervisor (who at the time I was assisting) retired and I was offered the opportunity to step into her role. Over time the job role has grown and I now help to support the research lab zone in the Department (now School) of Applied Sciences along with a small team.

"The team I work with are brilliant and very supportive. There is a saying that if you are here for five years you will never leave.

"Every day presents different challenges which keeps the job interesting.

"It is nice to be able to support the researchers during their time at UWE Bristol, from helping to troubleshoot experiments to helping to plan undergraduate projects.

"During my time here I have had two breaks to have and grow my family, and after returning to work I was able to reduce my hours and work flexibly to be able to maintain a good work life balance. Both of my children used the onsite nursery which is absolutely lovely and my children have been very happy there."

"I joined UWE Bristol in 2009 as a Technical Manager for the School of Health and Social Care. I started my career as a Science Research Technician in another university.

"Following a merger of two schools, I became the Technical Manager for the then Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences. This enabled a return to an area which more closely aligned with my studies and previous research.

"This is an operational line manager role of approximately 35 very good technical staff, specialist technical spaces and facilities based at Frenchay Campus. I have two excellent deputies who support me very well."

What do you most love about the role?

"I love the variety that the role brings; one minute I am recruiting new staff, the next I am part of a university panel supporting the tendering process for the purchase of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer for use in our forensics and analytical chemistry science courses. No two days are the same."

How have you developed in your role?

"The role provides the opportunity to be involved in so many different things that I am constantly learning and developing. I am often able to apply knowledge gained in one area in a completely different area and I crucially use a strong network of people to effectively achieve college objectives."

How do you find being part of Technical Services?

"Staff in my team receive lots of direct positive feedback from students. My role is to enable the technical staff to offer the best experience they can to our customers; whether they be academic staff or for those directly involved in learning and teaching – helping to transform the future lives of students. It is inspiring and it’s a team effort from all staff in Technical Services.

"In 2018, UWE Bristol signed up as a founding member to the Technician Commitment whose strapline is "Technicians make it happen". The aim is to increase the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical staff, and as a manager I can play an important role in that."

What would you say is key to success in your role?

"Effective collaboration on a daily basis is essential in my role and I work with a wide range of internal partners: academic staff or school/ college executives, Estates and Facilities, HR and Finance. Maintaining relationships and communicating at all levels is essential and I would encourage all colleagues to talk more and email less."

What's the best thing about working at UWE Bristol?

"The role is always challenging and stimulating and the people that you work with are great. I never get tired of the anticipation that comes with the new academic year.

"If you are a practically minded person who can explain practical concepts in an organised, methodical way, with a passion for your subject, then you should consider a role as a technician at UWE Bristol."

How would you describe UWE Bristol as an employer?

"As a service leader, I put the business needs first but I value that there is still scope to support staff in managing their lives to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The result is a very able, motivated and healthy staff who contribute to the success of the University."