Talent
TALENT is a project which leads and influences change to advance status and opportunity for technical skills, roles and careers in UK Higher Education. It is led by the Midlands Innovation (MI) consortium of eight universities in collaboration with key stakeholder and industry partners. It is the largest ever investment into technicians in higher education, whose specialist skills often go unrecognised despite the crucial role they play in the success of universities and the growth of the UK economy.
TALENT is underpinned by a grant of more than £3 million from the Research England Development Fund. The rest of the funding will be provided by the consortium university members as well as key partners including the Science Council, Technician Commitment, Wellcome Trust, British Geological Survey, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Rolls-Royce Plc, Unilever, Thales Alenia Space, Cobra Biologics and Midlands Engine.
TALENT is a 4-year project which will:
- Build an understanding of the future requirements for skilled technicians in the UK HE sector through a national policy commission.
- Work collaboratively to advocate and deliver a change in culture that will raise the profile of technical careers, roles and contributions, enhancing career pathways and possibilities.
- Deliver a programme of training and development opportunities for the Midlands Innovation technical community of over 2100 FTE and share the learning with the sector.
- Advocate and develop opportunities for technicians in the HE sector, ensuring technical careers are supported, developed, respected and ultimately aspired to.