Technical Careers Framework Design

This service is designed for research-performing institutions aiming to support, retain, and recognise their technical workforce through structured career development. Typical clients include:

• Universities and institutes with core facilities, technology platforms, or significant technical staff populations

• HR and organisational development teams working to align with the UK T echnician Commitment or improve equity in career structures

• Leadership or working groups tasked with professional development, progression frameworks, or reward structures in research support roles

• Institutions preparing for internal strategy reviews, external assessments, or infrastructure investment, and seeking to embed technical career structures into wider institutional planning

1. Preparation & Diagnostics: Onboarding discussion to understand the team, organisational context, and current framework (if any). Analysis of institutional drivers, relevant concordats, and strategic priorities.

Format: Kick-off call + policy review

2. Staff Engagement: Focus groups or surveys to capture current experience, unmet needs, and perceived barriers to progression.

Format: Up to 3 facilitated group sessions or an anonymised survey

3. Framework Co-Design: Collaborative development of a structured career pathway model, including competency stages, promotion criteria, and example roles.

Format: 2 co-design workshops + drafting of framework documents

4. Recognition & Reward Tools: Development of guidelines and template materials for internal use (e.g. promotion documentation, appraisal prompts, mentorship matching).

Format: Custom guidance pack + editable templates

5. Presentation & Feedback: Summary slides and facilitated session with leadership or implementation group.

Format: PDF outputs + online presentation session

• A structured and context-specific career framework for technical staff across research teams
  Greater alignment between institutional goals, national policies, and lived staff experience

• Stronger internal recognition, staff engagement, and retention within technical roles

• Practical tools and guidance to support implementation, appraisal, and internal promotion processes