Three higher education institutes, Loughborough University, University of Exeter and Northumbria University have received a share of £60,000 from the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.

HESA data shows 45% of technicians supporting physics research and teaching activities within UK universities are aged 51 or over, risking a lack of future technical skills needed to meet the growing demands of the sector. The Research England funded UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy has partnered with the Institute of Physics (IOP) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to unlock future careers for new Physics Technical Apprentices nationally.

Julie Turner, Strategic Scientific Technical Lead at Loughborough University, said: “It is wonderful to see our technical tutors coming together to put in a successful bid to ITSS for a Physics apprentice to join our successful Loughborough University technical apprenticeship scheme. The Loughborough technical apprenticeship scheme is co-led by technicians across the university and is attracting and inspiring new and diverse colleagues into technical careers.  ITSS is empowering technicians to play a strategic role in the scheme’s success.”

Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Director of the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy and Programme Lead for the Technician Commitment said: “We are excited to invest in young technical talent to accelerate the number of technical apprentices being recruited into Physics Technical Apprentice positions.”

For more information about the scheme, visit the ITSS website.