Technician Development
LSBU technicians benefit from development opportunities through multiple channels:
HEATED and the NTDC
As part of our dual membership with HEATED and the NTDC, Technicians have access to:
The Technician Development Fund (TDF), which provides:
- More regular funding for individual and group applicants.
- Flexible funding assessed on impact, feasibility, and alignment with sector priorities.
- Opportunities that are inclusive and accessible across the technical community.
- Details of the scheme can be seen on the NTDC website,. Technicians are encouraged your to sign up to the NTDC newsletter to receive updates.
Membership to HEaTED gives technical staff heavily discounted access to CPD, training courses and networking events, members benefit course credits, training courses and personalised careers support:
- Discounted CPD for Technicians
- Free networking opportunities that are specifically designed for the technical community.
- A HCPN (HEaTED Creative Practitioner Network) group
- Free access to resources and news from the sector
- Career Support Guidance (careers hub)
- Free technical Job vacancy advertisements
A summary of the benefits of being a Partner Affiliate of the NTDC are listed below:
- Cost reduction on current and future activity:
- 10% discount on all work undertaken by the NTDC including the Technician Survey and Coaching
- As part of the NTDC member benefit package the following is supplied:
- Access to the NTDC’s expertise and advice.
- Initial consultation with the NTDC’s Strategic Lead (half a day at 3.5h).
- Discount on further HETT Career & Promotion Pathways Framework consultancy.
- Invitation to their annual NTDC Partner Forum event . It is an opportunity to network with peers; share information, advice and best practice; and have your say on how the NTDC can better support the sector.
Partner Forum resources from the 2025 event at University of Birmingham:- Technicians Empowering your future- available here
- Access to new initiatives including the Technician Development Fund and TechMeet Events
- Promotion of your work with technical staff and services on the NTDC website and newsletter updates, including; events, achievements, articles and case studies by and about your technical staff- News page
- Free job vacancy listings on the NTDC website.
- Input on future development of services to best support the technical community, contributing to shaping the future direction of the NTDC.
- National Centre representative to attend/present at a specific technician-led event.
- Listed as Partner Affiliate in NTDC communications and publicity materials.
- Access to the NTDC logo for use on your website and across any print and digital media.
- Welcome pack including certificate of partnership and related marketing materials.
ITSS:
The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy is home of the Technician Commitment and funded by Research England. It was established in August 2023, building on existing programmes of work to champion the roles of technicians in higher education and research.
Opportunities for Technicians - The ITSS has a wide range of flagship national leadership and development programmes, designed for the technical community in academia (teaching and research roles) and research institutes. Our Technicians are encouraged to, and have taken part in the following programmes:
Our Technicians attend the ITSS Winterfest and Springfest (online learning festivals for technical professionals working in UK universities and research institutes) and take part in the ITSS Knowledge Exchange Programme
IST:
The IST is the professional body for specialist, technical and managerial staff. The IST provides focused support for technical practitioners, specialists and managers in the creative, digital, engineering and science technologies, working across a broad range of sectors including industry, local authorities, schools, FE, HE, research/analytical/health facilities, government departments and organisations in the UK and overseas.
ACHIEVE:
This is an internal development programme. This initiative support CPD, career pathways, and professional growth.
Tech Cafes:
Our Tech Cafes are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Tech Cafes range from facility tours and demonstrations to Technician Commitment and relevant information update sessions.
MakerSpace:
The TSS Makerspace is a departmental initiative for Technicians by technicians that seeks to build a collaborative community of practice through knowledge and skills sharing, exploration, experience and collaborative projects.
Workshops have included: Prop making, real-time graphics with Isadora, Forensic Evidence Recovery Techniques, Soldering 101, Portrait Photography, Voice Recording and Editing, Video Editing, Moulage, Web design with Wordpress and baking in the National Bakery School.
The makerspace also supports projects team members propose. These not only contribute to CPD but also to the wider department and institutional plans, and links to the Technician Commitment Visibility Pillar.