By becoming a supporter of the internationally recognised Technician Commitment, Great British Chemicals joins community of organisations improving visibility, recognition, career development and long-term sustainability of technical professionals in higher education, research and innovation.
Technical professionals are central to the success of Great British Chemicals, translating ambitious ideas into working reality at the bench, in pilot plants, and through close partnership with industry. Their practical expertise, creativity, and day-to-day problem solving underpin innovation, safety, and environmental sustainability across the UK chemicals sector.
Great British Chemicals will recognise technical professionals as core members of the multidisciplinary teams that design, prove, and commercialise de-fossilised technologies and healthier products for people and planet. This commitment marks a deliberate turning point, embedding technical professional development and progression as a core part of the organisation’s culture.
Through advocacy within each project partner organisation, access to mentoring, support for diverse research career pathways, and opportunities for business and entrepreneurial training, Great British Chemicals will enable technical professionals to develop advanced skills, broaden their experience and raise their professional profile.
GBC aims to support technical professionals to not only contribute, but lead, helping to strengthen the UK’s technical leadership capacity for a world-class, de-fossilised, and decarbonised research and innovation system.
As a Technician Commitment supporter, Great British Chemicals will also provide opportunities for technical professionals to connect with peers, industry leaders, and research teams, creating a visible and supportive community in which technical roles are celebrated, and progression becomes the norm rather than the exception.
By embedding the principles of the Technician Commitment, Great British Chemicals is signalling its long-term commitment to technical professionals as essential, visible, and recognised contributors to a more sustainable, resilient, and innovative future for the UK chemicals industry.
Professor Mike George, Great British Chemicals Co-Lead, said:
“At Great British Chemicals we see technical professionals as core enablers of everything we do, and we are committed to empowering them to shape the future of our universities and industry. By backing their expertise, we will drive innovation, improve processes and deliver a truly sustainable industrial future for the UK.”
The Technician Commitment is a pledge to implement a long-term action plan to enhance technical careers, opportunities and skills within the organisation.
Technician Commitment Associate Lead Mel Leitch said: “We are delighted to welcome GB Chemicals as a new signatory to the Technician Commitment, signalling a shared ambition to strengthen the visibility, opportunity and sustainability of technical careers.
“It’s world-leading programme to turn industrial waste into cleaner chemicals aligns powerfully with Sustainable Development Goals, accelerating a circular economy, reducing pollution and supporting a fair net zero transition. We particularly commend GB Chemicals for explicitly recognising the essential contribution technicians make to research within the natural sciences and to the success of complex, multi-centre research at scale and are looking forward to partnering with them on this amazing journey.”
Since launching in 2017, it has now grown to a global community of more than 140 organisations championing technicians and their contributions to higher education and research. The initiative is hosted by the UK Institute of Technical Skills & Strategy.
Find out more about http://greatbritishchemicals.ac.uk/