Business Secretary Vince Cable presents RSciTech certificates to ASE technicians

Two of the first school technicians to be awarded professional accreditation by the Association for Science Education have been presented with their certificates by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Rt Hon Vince Cable MP.

Alison Christou and Selina Coleman (pictured right, with Lord Sainsbury, left, and Business Secretary Vince Cable, right) received their Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) certificates at the Strengthening our Technician Workforce conference, organised by Lord Sainsbury’s Gatsby Foundation, in London, yesterday.

ASE launched the Science Council’s new professional registers in April after becoming one of the first organisations to receive a licence to award the status.

The registers demonstrate their recipients have the knowledge, experience and professionalism sought by employers and demanded by the public.

RSciTech comes after years of the ASE calling for better recognition of the valuable contribution made by technicians, particularly in the facilitation of meaningful lab work in schools, which lies at the heart of any good science education.

Making the registers open to school technicians, alongside their counterparts in industry, gives the profession wider recognition for the vital skills they provide.

A recent report from the Technician’s Council indicated an alarming skills gap between the current number of technicians in the UK and the 450,000 that will be needed by 2020 to underpin a growing innovation economy.

RSciTech aims to help address this by raising the profile of technicians and attracting more young people to the role.

The Association for Science Education’s CEO Annette Smith said: “I am delighted to see school laboratory technicians being awarded this professional status. 

“Technicians perform an essential role in school science and are often engaged in many aspects of school life. 

“As an excellent technician can have a range of qualifications and experience, registration will provide a useful function for school leaders in identifying those technicians with expertise and a commitment to their role.”

Alison Christou RSciTech (pictured left with, Lord Sainsbury, left, and Business Secretary Vince Cable, right) a technician at Forest School in London, said: “I see the award as being an important step forward in getting the work of school science technicians to be recognised nationally as the skilful job that it is.”

Selina Coleman RSciTech, a technician at St James Senior Girls’ School in London, said: "I think that these awards are a brilliant idea.

“Technicians can now be recognised as qualified and competent school employees and I am honoured to be one of the first to receive one."

The awards signify an individual’s commitment to their work and demonstrate they are at the forefront of their profession, while providing a framework to support future career development.

To mark the launch of the new registers, ASE is offering fast track registration during 2012 only, at a reduced cost!

Notes to editors

The Association for Science Education (ASE) is the largest subject association in the UK. Members include teachers, technicians and others involved in science education. The Association plays a significant role in promoting excellence in teaching and learning of science in schools and colleges. Working closely with the science professional bodies, industry and business, ASE provides a UK-wide network bringing together individuals and organisations to share ideas and tackle challenges in science teaching, develop resources and foster high quality Continuing Professional Development. The Association for Science Education can trace its origins back to 1900. Incorporated by Royal Charter in October 2004, the ASE operates as a Registered Charity.

For more information, contact: Becca Bull

Tel: 01707 288526 Email: beccabull@ase.org.uk Web: http://www.ase.org.uk

1. About Technicians

Technicians are skilled professionals who solve practical problems through the creative use of techniques and procedures. They work across UK industry and academic disciplines supporting and facilitating the work of scientists and engineers – connecting theory with real-world applications.  The seven new Registered Science Technicians are among the first to join a new professional register for technicians which has been developed by the Science Council.

2. About the Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Gatsby is a Foundation set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives. We focus our support on a limited number of areas:

• Plant science research

• Neuroscience research

• Science and engineering education

• Economic development in Africa

• Public policy research and advice

• The Arts

For more information contact: Natasha Warren, Proof Communication, natasha@proofcommunication.com Tel: 07875 468 942

3. Science Council

Science Council is an umbrella organisation for learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications which works to advance and support the professional practice of science at all levels. Science Council already holds a register of Chartered Scientists (CSci) operating at Masters and above. The new Technician Register (RSciTech) has been developed alongside a new intermediate register for graduate level scientists (RSci). Seven professional bodies (providing coverage across employment sectors) have been awarded pilot licences which will run throughout 2012.

http://www.sciencecouncil.org/content/pilot-bodies

For further information please contact: Ali Orr, Science Council

Email: a.orr@sciencecouncil.org Tel:  020 7922 7878