University of Sydney joins Technician Commitment program

The University of Sydney has joined the UK Science Council-led Technician Commitment, an initiative aimed at ensuring visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research.

The commitment responds to the increasing demand for technicians in jobs such as laboratory technical officers, staff scientists and staff engineers and whose skills are in demand across all disciplines. Signatories to the Technician Commitment commit to improving and safeguarding critical technical skills by ensuring greater visibility, cultivating recognition, fostering meaningful career development, and upholding sustainable technical skills across all disciplines.

As a signatory to the Technician Commitment, the University will work closely with its UK counterparts to develop and implement self-assessments and an action plan. It will also give the University access to the UK Technician Commitment network of more than 110 universities and research institutes.

The University of Sydney’s Professor Emma Johnston, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) said the University of Sydney was excited to join universities and research institutions working to develop, nurture, and retain technical expertise.

"Our technicians are vital to our university community,” said Professor Johnston. “They are highly skilled and offer a wide range of essential expertise that underpins our research and teaching success," said Professor Johnston.

"As part of the commitment, the University of Sydney will ensure our technicians are visible within our community, recognised for their achievements, and supported in their career progression.”

Kelly Vere MBE, Programme Director, Technician Commitment said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Australia’s first university, as a signatory. This announcement reflects the University’s commitment to its technical staff and highlights the fact that technicians around the world can benefit from their institutions getting involved. We look forward to helping to foster relationships between UK technicians and their Australian counterparts to promote further innovation, partnership and opportunities for technical staff, and welcome other international institutions to join our thriving community.”

The Technician Commitment was founded in 2017 to raise the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technicians across the higher education and research landscape.

In that time, it has attracted over 110 signatories, including over half of UK universities. It has secured the support of world-leading organisations including the Royal Society and UK Research and Innovation. Together, signatories and supporters have raised the profile of technicians and generate greater opportunities for technical staff. Until now, the Commitment has only worked within the UK.