UofG Technicians

As part of the Technician Commitment Stage-3 Action Plan, we are now starting a recruitment drive for new Technician Champions across the University. All technical staff regardless of their grade, job family or contract type can volunteer to become a Technician Champion. We aim is to increase the number of Technician Champions across the University to ensure each area/school is represented. An email communication has been issued to all technical staff with details on how to apply to become a Technician Champion. The revised role description for the Technician Champion role is included below.

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TECHNICIAN CHAMPION

Purpose:

The Technician Champions (TCs) are an internal network of staff who work in partnership with technical colleagues and the technical community, local management, the Technician Commitment Steering Group and others to support the delivery and enhancement of the University’s commitment to the technician community and achievement of the Action Plan.

The role supports/represents the technician voice within their service area (School, College) and University. Champions promote greater colleague engagement, support communications, technical community-building activities and the sharing of best practice between areas.

About this Role Description: Although all TCs will cover some elements of the core activities listed below, the role and time commitments vary according to the priorities and context of their service area and are ideally agreed with local heads of service and managers. Beyond the ‘Core’ activities listed, this role description includes some of the varied ways in which a TC role can be delivered.

Group Structure:

There is a Champions network group/committee that meets every 2 months. A Chair and a co-chair Technician Champion lead the group on a rotational basis.

Term limits and selection process:

There is no fixed term for TCs and no requirement to step down. This is a voluntary role, and the selection process is normally locally-led where a member of the technical community expresses an interest in supporting the technician voice within their service area. Ideally the head of service will be involved in the selection process.

Time commitments listed are averaged across the year, and there will be peaks and troughs.

Core Activities (up to 2 hours per month)

• Be an advocate for and promote the awareness of the four key themes of the Technician Commitment, promote a positive culture for the technician community and drive progress and delivery of the Action Plan.
• Work collaboratively with the TC coordinator, other champions and the technician community to identify suitable actions to bring to the steering group in order to enhance overall technician engagement with TC and ensure improved visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability to support the action plan.
• Represent and support the technical community within the University. Enhance and encourage engagement and collaboration within the technician population, encouraging colleagues to attend relevant engagements events and enabling peers to share expertise, good practice and experiences and get involved in wider networking within the technician community.
• Liaise and engage with the steering group, senior managers and technicians within School/College, facilitate two-way communication, feed back key issues locally, ensure shared understanding and that the ‘technician voice’ is present and represented.
• Support and facilitate the sharing of best practice within the School/College/University and externally, helping to drive innovative ways of working to ensure positive change for the technical community across the University.
• Support the cascade of information out to School/College technical and specialist population, (ranging from personally communicating messages to supporting other channels such as newsletters, forums, websites and social media channels dedicated to the University’s technical community).

Enhanced Activities (up to 4hr/month)

As with Core, but adding (for example):​

• Champions will be expected to attend meetings every 2 months (typically 1-hour meetings).
• Develop/refine communications and activities locally​, working with technical managers and Head of Service.
• Enhance awareness of the professionalisation of technical roles through accreditations and professional registration, helping to promote technician roles as professional careers within higher education and influencing local management teams/colleagues to ensure technician engagement and professional registration remains on the agenda.
• Participate in task groups/themed focus groups/projects related to the Action Plans and activities.

What’s in it for a potential Champion?

Champions stand to benefit from their time in role in a number of ways, for example:

• The opportunity to advocate for our Technician community and raise its profile.
• Development as a result of engaging in Technician Commitment related activities, such as chairing sessions or discussions.
• Enhanced communication and leadership skills.
• Building their own networks with other specialist colleagues, stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Opportunities to ensure recognition for colleagues.

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First published: 2 February 2024