The unsung heroes of the lab

If you want to know what’s really going on in a chemistry lab, ask the technician. They keep everything running smoothly, know the trick to getting that temperamental piece of equipment working and make sure missing chemicals are ordered. But universities are set to lose this valuable resource. ‘41% [of technicians] are due to retire in the next 10 years,’ explains Kelly Vere, higher education engagement manager at the Science Council and director of technical skills and strategy at the University of Nottingham, UK. ‘That’s actually a ticking time bomb, because we are not training enough younger people with those skills.’

The issue with recruiting and retaining new technical staff is not financial – Vere estimates most salaries are between £20,000–£40,000 but can rise to £60K. The problem is a lack of professional recognition and few career development opportunities. ‘They are leaving because they don’t feel valued by their institutions,’ says Terry Croft, director of The National Technician Development Centre for Higher Education, based at the University of Sheffield, UK.