40% of people in research and innovation roles employed in higher education said lack of leadership skills were a barrier for career progression in the UK.*
To help tackle this leadership gap and invest in the future of the UK’s science, engineering and creative industries workforce, the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy has launched a new suite of technical leadership programmes.
Applications are now open for a suite of pioneering leadership programmes designed for the unique and varied role of technical professionals in UK higher education and research institutes, who support education, research and innovation.
The Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership (EPSTL), delivered by Nottingham University Business School in partnership with the Technician Commitment, is a ground-breaking programme for current and aspiring strategic technical leaders operating at an institutional level.
This year there are 25 places on EPSTL for senior technical professionals who meet the criteria and can evidence positive impact on their home organisation as part of the application process. The programme fee is £2,295 per person and some scholarships are available.
The Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes are aimed at current and aspiring technical leaders who want to prepare for a new management role, improve collaboration skills or develop their knowledge, skills and confidence.
There are three programmes which each have an area of focus to boost technical leadership skills:
- Preparing for Technical Management & Leadership
- Collaborative Leadership for Technicians
- Leadership in Action for Technicians
The Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes are fully funded (with some travel costs required) and are open to technical professionals in all disciplines.
Dr Kelly Vere, MBE Director of the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy said that these flagship technical leadership programmes give the UK technical community new skills and knowledge in a changing landscape.
“These national technical leadership programmes offer bespoke modules that have been designed especially for the unique needs of the technical community within a higher education and research environment,” she explained.
“The feedback we had from last year’s Executive Programme in Strategic Technical Leadership was incredibly positive and there remains a strong appetite from individuals and institutions to support senior technical professionals operating at a strategic level.
“The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy and Technician Commitment are proud to be working with Nottingham University Business School to offer current strategic technical leaders the opportunity to develop key skills for the critical roles they hold in their organisations.”
The three Vivien Thomas Technical Leadership Programmes have been piloted by hundreds of technicians through the TALENT Programme and are now being offered to UK-wide technical professionals to help the sector to achieve great leadership at all levels, so it can meet the future needs of a thriving research and development sector. Kelly added:
“I’m confident these programmes will play a key role in developing skills and behaviours needed for leading people and teams, they support the vision set out in the R&D People and Culture Strategy and also deliver on the recommendations to the sector in the TALENT Commission report.”
Find out more about the Institute’s flagship leadership programmes here.
About the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy
The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy is funded by Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation. It was established on 1 August 2023.
The Institute is the UK’s advocate for the technical community, accelerating technical skills and careers in higher education, research and innovation through insights, influence, innovation and integration.
Find out more at www.itss.org.uk
The Institute is home of the Technician Commitment. Find out more at https://www.techniciancommitment.org.uk/
About Nottingham University Business School
Nottingham University Business School is an international leader in finance and management education and a pioneer in entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.
