Today, GuildHE has published its first action plan as a supporter of the Technician Commitment. Developed through extensive consultation, the plan is the result of engagement with technicians, senior leaders, and staff at our member institutions.
The plan sets out the actions we will take over the next three years (2025-2028) to advocate for the vital role of technicians, support their development, and encourage our member institutions to engage with and support the work of the Commitment.
Supporting technical expertise across GuildHE institutions
GuildHE represents a diverse range of institutions principally focused on vocational and technical higher education. Our members are major providers of professional programmes in education and community service, healthcare, agriculture, food and technology, the built environment, business and law, and the creative arts.
The expertise of technicians is an essential component in delivering the high-quality, relevant learning and teaching environments that support students to develop the skills these professions require. Technicians also play a crucial role in producing excellent research and innovation with real-world impact; those working in specialist contexts, whether in agriculture or creative arts, are at the very cutting edge of research in those fields.
Raising the visibility and value of technicians across the sector
GuildHE will use its influence across the sector to bring the excellent work of the Technician Commitment thus far to our community of technicians working across teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange, and to advocate for increased appreciation of their value to learning and research cultures.
Professor Emile Bojesen, Director of GuildHE Research, said:
Technicians are central to the specialist, creative, and applied teaching and research that define GuildHE institutions. This Action Plan reinforces our commitment to recognising their expertise, enhancing their visibility, and supporting their continued professional development across the sector, ensuring their essential contributions are appropriately reflected in institutional and national priorities.
Professor Emile Bojesen, Director of GuildHE Research
Dr Victoria Talbot, Head of Technical Development and Laboratory Manager, Harper Adams University, said:
I was thrilled when GuildHE agreed to become a supporter of the Technician Commitment and pledged to take action against the four pillars of visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical skills, roles and careers. This first Action Plan, which outlines how they seek to achieve this, is perhaps even more exciting, and I commend GuildHE for developing something which is both meaningful and achievable. The plan has well-chosen and important commitments within it and the proposed work with sector groups, including the NTDC to connect their work with member institutions, is inspired.
This is certainly a pivotal moment for technicians working within GuildHE institutions and I very much look forward to seeing significant progress in the fulfilment of these pledges over the next few years.
Dr Victoria Talbot, Head of Technical Development and Laboratory Manager, Harper Adams University
Supporting the Technician Commitment is wholly consistent with GuildHE’s vision for a diverse higher education sector - one that provides quality opportunities, vital skills, and insights for wider society and the economy - and represents an important statement of intent to value all roles within our communities that contribute to that vision.