Global Expansion for Technician Commitment
The UK is leading international best practice for technical excellence and is now working with partners in Australia to establish the Technician Commitment.
$4.9m has been awarded to Microscopy Australia and the Academy for Collaborative Research Infrastructure (ACRI) to support technical career development opportunities.
The funding will be used to set up the ground-breaking technical workforce initiative in the country, which improves visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technicians.
Hosted by the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy (UK ITSS), the Technician Commitment is now a growing global community of more than 150 organisations driving positive change for technical professionals in higher education and research.
This investment will support the implementation of the Technician Commitment in Australia, alongside coordinated professional development and fellowship programmes designed to strengthen career pathways, improve recognition, and help attract and retain the highly skilled workforce essential to Australia’s research and innovation system.
Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Director of UK ITSS and the Technician Commitment said: "The recent announcement of our successful collaboration with Microscopy Australia and ACRI is particularly exciting. We look forward to working alongside our Australian partners to build on the success of the Technician Commitment, sharing expertise and good practice to help strengthen recognition, development and career opportunities for technical professionals internationally.”
The funding was announced at a prestigious event in the House of Lords on 2 June 2026, alongside the publication of a Three-Year Impact Report, attended by Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science, Technology and Innovation Committee.
Professor Joe Shapter, Board Chair, Microscopy Australia added: “This investment recognises that world‑class research depends on both cutting‑edge capability and the highly skilled people who operate it. Strengthening Australia’s research infrastructure workforce is critical to maintaining our international competitiveness and ensuring researchers can access the expertise they need to solve complex national challenges. Through this initiative, Microscopy Australia is helping to build a more sustainable, recognised and future‑ready workforce.”
This news comes after the Institute’s best practice has been recognised across Europe, and the Americas, amplified by a collaborative project with Universitas 21.
