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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy

@uk-itss.bsky.social
230 followers 169 following 139 posts

Advocating for the technical community in higher education and research with @tech-commit.bsky.social Funded by Research England, part of @ukri.org Learn more www.itss.org.uk | Subscribe for updates eepurl.com/ixy59g

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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Our latest report spotlights 10 case studies of technical professionals driving sustainability improvements in higher education and research institutions. Read their stories👉 buff.ly/c2hTLvt
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
NEWS | What skills do technicians need right now? Our latest article looks at how the skills landscape is changing in HE and research, and introduces our new 2026 courses designed to support technical professionals at every stage of their career. buff.ly/DjYmJPk
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Less than 50% of WinterFest tickets remain. Join our free online learning festival this January, with sessions from leadership and coaching to GitHub and Power BI. Connect with 1,000+ technical professionals. Book now: buff.ly/FLWE5So
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Our new report showcases how technicians help make higher education and research more environmentally sustainable. The report ends with 7 recommendations to help empower environmental leadership in the technical community Explore the recommendations below 👇 Read the full report 👉 buff.ly/V90Nk9j
Recommendation 1: Understanding and formalising responsibilities. Many technicians volunteer their time for sustainability work on top of their formal duties. 

This time commitment should be recognised and reflected in job descriptions and workload allocation.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
INSIGHT | New report showcases how technical professionals drive environmental sustainability in higher education and research Read our new report 👉 buff.ly/bIumgje
Cover of a report titled “Driving environmental sustainability: The contribution of technical professionals in higher education and research.” The design features layered geometric shapes in shades of green and yellow. At the top are two logos: the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy on the left and the Technician Commitment logo on the right.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
40+ technical professionals applied to our Knowledge Exchange Placement Programme last month. They help professionals learn specialist skills, save research time, and unlock collaborations. Next application closes 2 March 2026. Learn more and apply: buff.ly/MqA9JeY.
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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
Technician Commitment @tech-commit.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Monday reading: Meet the 8 shortlisted nominees for the 2025 @timeshighered.bsky.social Outstanding Technician of the Year award ➡️ shorturl.at/6IVv0 We’re proud to sponsor the award – winner announced this Thursday at the #THEAwards
Collage celebrating the eight nominees shortlisted for the 2025 Times Higher Education Outstanding Technician of the Year Award. Top row: Phil Chaplain, Engineering Services Manager and Health & Safety Coordinator in the School of Computing, Engineering & Technology at Robert Gordon University. Second row (left to right): Linda Lightley, Scientific Officer in the School of Design at Northumbria University; Jiteen Ahmed, Head of Technical Services in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University; Alex Laude, Head of Biomedical Research Facilities at Newcastle University. Third row (left to right): Helena Brown, Technical Specialist in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds; John Nicolson, Technician Development Adviser at the University of Cambridge. Bottom row (left to right): Joe Rees-Jones, Research Technician in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York; Kate Robinson, Ruminant Section Manager at Harper Adams University’s Future Farm.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
COMMENT | Post-16 Education & Skills White Paper We welcome the white paper, which aims to close the UK's education gap & boost productivity and the focus on skills and technical education, lifelong learning and technical excellence buff.ly/iPhmF44
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
COMMENT | Response to Post-16 Education & Skills White Paper We welcome the white paper and its focus on skills and technical education as national priorities, emphasising lifelong learning and technical excellence ➡️https://buff.ly/iPhmF44
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Our Oct Digest is out, featuring: T Level case studies Response to further and higher education reforms Technical Teaching Recognition One-Day Workshop Oct & Nov Info about upcoming 2026 training Read buff.ly/NOpg4g2 Subscribe buff.ly/oA1waUB
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
100s of technicians start their mentoring journey The Cross Institution Mentoring Scheme (CIMS-T), led by Dorothea Mangels, Lisa Bedder, and Trevor Hardy, offers specialist mentoring support for technical professionals Read more itss.org.uk/100-technica...
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Discover how apprenticeships can address the technical skills gap in academia and research. Our report highlights the Growth and Skills Levy (formerly Apprenticeship Levy) is widely under-used and untapped funds could help investment into technical careers Download the full report buff.ly/qMLJhhJ
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Join the 2026 Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership✨ Enhance skills in leadership, culture and more. Delivered January - June 2026, online Free - sponsored by Research England Join 1000+ technicians in the #HerschelLeaders network ➡️ Apply now: buff.ly/H17Yteb
Large group of women stood outside
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
SURVEY | New LGBTQIA+ survey launched for technical professionals Gathering experiences on comfort and inclusion at work, career progression, bullying and harassment and support at work. 📋 10 minutes | 🤫 anonymous | 🎁 win £100 👉 Take part buff.ly/1eBAWzM
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
📚 Keep up to date with our latest reports, insights and policy consultations online ➡️ We publish them all online here
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Publications - UK ITSS
Publications, insight reports on hot topics and Government policy consultations from the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
What does sharing technical infrastructure really look like in action? The ITSS Technical Capabilities Showcase maps 260+ technician-led facilities across the UK – unlocking access to equipment + expertise buff.ly/jFUoqF6 Funds available to access kit featured in showcase
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Equipment Sharing Fund - UK ITSS
UK research professionals can apply for funding to access research technologies listed in the ITSS Technology Capabilities Showcase.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Have you heard of our ITSS Capabilities Sharing Showcase? 🔬 250+ items listed from state-of-the-art research facilities and specialist equipment buff.ly/MJblw3l 💷 Equipment Sharing Fund for researchers, PhD students and Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) buff.ly/CmVnWeG
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
EVENT | Free online workshops at AutumnFest 🎓 Careers, interview skills, shaping policy, 📅 8 - 12 September 💻 Online Secure your place buff.ly/Uy4PI23
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
READ | Defining "research activities" Kelly Vere MBE, discusses future REF changes and the benefits for the technical community and people who make research possible in this blog. 🔗 Read online buff.ly/ySZSrY3
Image of female technician in lab
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Today we celebrate two years of impact. Together with @tech-commit.bsky.social we've continued to champion technical talent, shape national policy, and support organisations 📸 The team behind our learning and development courses, research and policy, events and operations (Credit Alex Wilkinson)
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
📰 £40k funding for technical apprentices in physics and quantum @durham-university.bsky.social and University of Manchester have each received £20,000 to develop new technical apprenticeship roles Supported by @instituteofphysics.bsky.social and #EPSRC buff.ly/XagjihR
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
EVENT | Free workshops for technical professionals in #highered and #research 📅 AutumnFest 8 - 12 Sept 💻 Online ➡️ View full programme and secure you place today buff.ly/LbnGPsp
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
💬 Research is powered by technical talent — and recognition is finally on the rise. Read Kelly' Vere's personal career journey and reflections in this article published in Nature Magazine. buff.ly/8D1x99Y
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
This time last week at #HETS2025 11 #PapinPrizes were awarded, 2 fantastic keynote speakers and an incredible celebration cake, marking ten years of HETS 📸 Credit: Alex Wilkinson
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
💬 UK universities are under financial strain. As institutions look to restructure, reduce costs and rethink delivery, there’s a clear need to make better use of the talent that already exists within them- Kelly Vere MBE
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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
Technically Edinburgh Podcast @technicallyedin.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
🎙️New Episode!🎙️ Don't miss our newest episode, a live recording of our #HETS2025 workshop with the amazing Kelly Vere from @tech-commit.bsky.social www.buzzsprout.com/2388868/epis...
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
EVENT | Free workshops for technical professionals who want to upskill 📅 AutumnFest 8 - 12 Sept 💻 Online ➡️ Secure you place today buff.ly/LbnGPsp
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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
Midlands Innovation @midlandsinnovation.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
📢 The MI Summer Newsletter is out now! This month: 🩺 Major health inequalities report launches in Parliament—@midshealth leads call for action across the region ⚡ @EnergyRA leads Westminster #NetZeroWeek roundtable 🏆 #PapinPrize winners announced at #HETS2025 Read it here ➡ buff.ly/PpYOr00
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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
Babraham Institute @babrahaminst.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Simon explained what motivates him about his role as head of @babraham-bioinf.bsky.social "Working in a core facility has allowed me to see a diverse range of data and biological systems and build infrastructure and tools which can be used by many scientists both within and outside the Institute.”
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Reposted by The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy
Babraham Institute @babrahaminst.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
AWARD NEWS | Following Simon's award for Contribution to Research in the #PapinPrizes, our article covers just a slice of Simon's impact on the Institute's research, on #bioinformatics and on empowering researchers across the world by demystifying data analysis. www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2025/07...
Dr Simon Andrews, Head of Bioinformatics at the Babraham Institute, holding a certificate and an award for the 2025 Papin Prize for Contribution to Research. Image courtesy of The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy. Photography by Alex Wilkinson Media.
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Huge congratulations to all the technical professionals who were nominated - an incredible 328 individuals from 63 institutions Read the full list of winners here buff.ly/RB4GLYi #PapinPrizes #HETS2025
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes The Papin Medal A special award recognising outstanding contribution for the technical community Congratulations to Gillian Riddell @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award Congratulations to Jane Barker, University of Derby
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes The Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Lifetime Achievement Award 7 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Technical Team Congratulations to NMES Engineering Education Team, Kings College London
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Technical Team 6 outstanding teams shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Apprentice Award 5 outstanding technicians shortlisted - Congrats to Hannah
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Outreach Award Congratulations to Desart Ismaili @ucl.ac.uk @uclnews.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Outreach Award 6 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Newcomer Award Congratulations to Toby Hills, Norwich University of the Arts
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Newcomer Award 7 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Knowledge Exchange Award Congratulations to Isabel Saldanha @lstmnews.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Knowledge Exchange Award 5 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Excellence in Sustainability Award - Sponsored by SocEnv Congratulations to Lee Hibbett @uniofnottingham.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Excellence in Sustainability Award 13 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Contribution to Teaching Award 6 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Contribution to Teaching Award Congratulations to Jonathan Fullwood @sheffielduni.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Contribution to Research Award 6 outstanding technicians shortlisted
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Contribution to Research Award Congratulations to Simon Andrews @babrahaminst.bsky.social
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The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy @uk-itss.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
#HETS2025 #PapinPrizes Contribution to Infrastructure and Facilities Award Congratulations to Miles Ratcliffe @universityofleeds.bsky.social
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