Business, councils, and charities in technical staff scheme boost

An exciting £3m partnership which will share cutting-edge technical skills with businesses, councils and charities across the Eastern region has launched.

Led by the University of Essex, the Technical Platform for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (T-PIKE) will allow technical staff across the region to gain vital skills, unlock training, and up-skill industry partners, focusing on the themes of “AI, Digitisation and Data” and “Engineering Net Zero”.

Now more than 1,000 staff from Essex, the University of East Anglia, the University of Kent and the University of Sussex, who together form the Eastern Arc network, will have access to sector-leading opportunities.

The programme will be led by technicians, who will identify placements and design research and engagement projects.

They will also develop training that will be shared with the wider community. 

Professor Edward Codling, who is academic lead on the programme, said: "Our technicians and technical staff play an essential role within our universities, undertaking research, running lab facilities, managing and analysing data, and supporting the campus experiences for our students.

"Our technical staff have an incredible range of expertise and knowledge, and this programme is all about making sure their unique skills and experience can be shared more widely, while supporting their own professional development."

The official launch of T-PIKE saw staff and leaders from partners descending on Wivenhoe House, on the Colchester Campus.

'Huge Impact'

The event began with an opening speech by Maria Fasli, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex, followed by an introduction to Eastern Arc from Phil Ward, Director of Eastern Arc.

The Leadership Team then provided an overview of T-PIKE and its four work packages, while the Operations Team introduced themselves alongside industry partners supporting the programme as part of an Advisory Board.

Chris Spice, the new Technician Commitment lead for the University of Essex, said: "The programme is already having a huge impact on the recognition and sustainability of technical roles across the region, with new training courses in AI and sustainability taking place with over 40 staff.

"We’re now planning to create a pool of Technical Development Assistants, made up of students and recent graduates, to help backfill posts and support sector sustainability while our technical staff undertake placements and projects with industry partners."