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University to invest in technical skills

Press release issued: 24 November 2004

Today [Wednesday, November 24] Bristol University will launch a new training programme to attract technical trainees in a variety of academic departments ranging from Clinical Veterinary Science to the Academic Renal Unit.

Today [Wednesday, November 24] Bristol University will launch a new training programme to attract technical trainees in a variety of academic departments ranging from Clinical Veterinary Science to the Academic Renal Unit.

The programme for technical staff, called ‘Earn and Learn’, will start at the University next summer and is expected to grow in future years.

The University is committed to recruiting young people into science and engineering-based technical roles. As well as receiving funding and support to gain a worthwhile qualification, trainees will receive on-the-job training in an interesting environment.

Successful candidates, who have two good science or maths A-levels, will earn £12,000 a year working as a Technical Trainee whilst studying part-time for a degree or another relevant qualification. On completion of the course, and subject to satisfactory progress, they will be offered a permanent Technician job and career.

Guy Gregory, Director of Human Resources, said: “Technical staff undertake a vital role in virtually all areas of the University as well as supporting first-class research, delivering teaching or providing other services such as grounds maintenance.

“The need to attract and develop our own junior technical staff has emerged as a result of technical workforce planning, combined with increasing problems attracting suitably qualified and experienced people from outside the University.”

The trainee scheme is the result of collaborative working among Personnel Services, technical managers and Amicus, the trade union representing technical staff. 

Tony Macdonald, Chair of the Bristol branch of Amicus, added: “Top-class technicians, people with excellent practical skills backed up by sound academic understanding, are essential if we aim to be a truly first-rate institution in science and engineering.

“This new scheme based on the best of past practice but with a sharper focus on identified need will produce the high quality staff we require. Amicus is proud to be playing an active role in this exciting new initiative.”

The five departments who are involved in the programme for 2005 are: Physics; Chemistry; Biochemistry; Clinical Veterinary Science and Anatomy.

 

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