UniGreenScheme Becomes a Supporter of the Technician Commitment

We are delighted to announce that UniGreenScheme has become a supporter of the Technician Commitment!

The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy was established in August 2023, building on existing programmes of work to champion the roles of technicians in higher education and research. They are working to ensure the long-term sustainability of UK technical skills and careers, giving technicians the support and recognition for the important roles they play within these industries through the Technician Commitment.

"UniGreenScheme works with UK universities to reduce waste through equipment refurbishment. Their work relies on the skills of technicians, both within the institutions they work with and within their team. We are delighted to welcome them as a Technician Commitment supporter."

-Clare Stevenson, Associate Lead, Technician Commitment

Our alignment with the Technician Commitment reflects UniGreenScheme’s ethos: the more skilled our team, the more waste we can prevent. This is a natural extension of our mission to provide recognition and support for our technical staff, furthering their skills while driving sustainability.

Since its launch, UniGreenScheme has successfully resold over 1,000,000kg of surplus equipment, advancing sustainability by giving unused equipment a second life. In early 2022, we implemented structured processes to further reduce waste, integrating higher levels of testing and, more importantly, repair services through our Engineering department. A significant portion of the equipment we now resell has been transformed from "Spares/Repairs" condition to fully functional, extending their lifecycle and contributing to the circular economy. We have successfully repaired 153,884kg of equipment, which equates to 1,418 individual items.

As part of our commitment to supporting technicians, we continue to refine these processes and champion the vital role of our technical staff. Through recognized skills development, including electrical training and specialized equipment expertise, we are equipping our team with the tools needed to deliver impactful services.

Technicians are the backbone of both our in-house operations and the institutions we collaborate with. They ensure equipment is maintained, repaired, and kept in circulation, playing a crucial role in reducing waste and supporting ongoing research. At UniGreenScheme, we are proud to support the Technician Commitment, recognizing the invaluable contributions of technicians and advocating for their professional growth.

"I’m thrilled to join the Technician Commitment initiative. As an Executive Manager within a rapidly growing organisation, I’m deeply invested in the training and development of our staff. It’s incredibly reassuring to see a vibrant community of passionate leads actively contributing and offering support to Technicians, which bodes well for the future of labs and the cultures we’re shaping.

Looking ahead, I’ve already begun formulating a comprehensive training structure for the next 12-18 months. I’m eager to explore new knowledge and training services that will not only integrate into these plans but help propel our efforts even further. While our team of Technicians is currently small, the potential for growth is immense. With UniGreenScheme’s commitment to reducing equipment waste, enhancing our Technicians’ skills is a crucial part of the bigger picture in our sustainability efforts."

Adam Burston, Executive Manager and Technician Commitment Champion, UniGreenScheme

When equipment is deemed broken or non-functional, it is often considered waste. However, with skilled technicians at the helm, we divert these items from the landfill, providing sustainable solutions that reduce the demand for new equipment. By investing in the skills and career development of our technical staff, we are able to salvage more surplus equipment, reduce landfill contributions, and support research by offering repaired equipment at lower costs.

UniGreenScheme operates from two locations: Caerphilly, South Wales, and Dumfries, Scotland. While the geographical distance presents challenges, we are dedicated to knowledge-sharing across our team. We have developed a comprehensive technical library, which is constantly updated by our staff. This resource includes technical support documents, tips, "How-To" guides, toolbox talks, and other essential information, ensuring that accurate testing and repairs can transform the fate of surplus equipment.

We have also recognized a gap in after-market testing, maintenance, and repair services for research equipment. We are confident that with the right training and structured career development, our technicians can fill this gap, offering essential preventative maintenance and repair services to keep equipment in operation.

We look forward to growing our relationship with and supporting the Technician Commitment and giving our and other technicians the support, training and recognition they deserve.