Do you know an inspirational lab technican?
19 Sep 2011 by Evoluted New Media
A nationwide hunt designed to recognise technicians capable of inspiring the next generation to fill a critical skills gap has been launched by STEMNET.
The Inspirational Technician Award – announced by former Minister of Science and Innovation Lord Sainsbury – will recognise the excellent work of technicians who inspire young people to follow technical careers. The award is one of five within The National STEMNET Awards 2011, sponsored by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
“Technicians play a crucial role within our laboratories, holding the technical know-how to help keep things running smoothly, and are often a lynchpin for our scientists and engineers,” said Penny Jackson, Director Scientific Service at AstraZenica, a partner of STEMNET’s ambassador programme.
“With the difficulties that employers are facing today in finding technicians, it is really important that we recognise the valuable work of these individuals and inspire the future generation to consider this as a career path.”
Research conducted last year found that 20% of men and 30% of women admitted to knowing nothing about what technicians do and that the younger age groups had little understanding of the profession.
Technicians have been identified as a high priority area of critical importance to the economy, but the UK has a lower proportion of technicians than its European competitors which is damaging our economic competitiveness.
“In the past there have not been well-established routes for young people to acquire technician qualifications which are valued by their employers, and which, therefore, help young people to get better paid and more exciting jobs,” said Lord Sainsbury.
Two major initiatives have been launched to improve the situation, Lord Sainsbury said. The first, a Technician Council aims to promote the Registered Technician qualification across engineering, ICT, health and other professional bodies. Secondly, the new University Technical Colleges will be seeking to align their teaching with these new qualifications.
“These two initiatives will over time open up many new opportunities for young people to acquire technician qualifications which work in the marketplace, and I hope the Inspirational Technician Award will encourage more people to take up the challenge of communicating to young people the exciting opportunities opening up to the to become registered technicians,” said Lord Sainsbury.
Closing date for nominations is Monday 3rd October, for more information contact Natasha Warren at events@stemnet.org.uk. Winners will receive a trip to CERN, courtesy of the STFC.
