Every year most companies consider whether they need to recruit a fresh intake of graduate scientists and engineers whose job it will be to improve their science and technology base and production processes. It is less usual for companies to consider whether or not they need to recruit a fresh intake of technicians - why is this? Could it be that technicians are seen as being less important to a company's future than scientists and engineers? To answer this, it is helpful to consider who within an organisation really benefits from the support provided by well trained and highly motivated technicians... in other words, who needs technicians?

The simple answer is that scientists and engineers need technicians. After all, how many scientists and engineers would claim to be suitably trained and experienced to carry out the activities of the technicians that work alongside them? Not many, I suspect!

However let's look at other people who, although they may not currently acknowledge it, need the right number of appropriately trained technicians within their organisation. Well, the HR Director is one such person. His role is to ensure that we have the right skills in the right place at the right time to deliver the company's technology needs, and technicians are certainly one of the major pieces in this jigsaw.

Another person who needs technicians is the Finance Director. He must be satisfied that the organisation is employing the right ratio of technicians to scientists and engineers in order that the technology portfolio is delivered efficiently and for the right cost.

So if scientists and engineers, the Technical Director, the HR Director and the Finance Director all need to know that their company employs the appropriate number of technicians, why is it that so little attention is paid to a role which underpins every area of technology? Why do companies not concentrate more on ensuring that they have the appropriate number of high quality, well trained and well motivated technicians? Paying insufficient attention to this essential role can only cause problems for any organisation involved in science and technology, particularly in the areas of people motivation, cost and, ultimately, technology delivery and performance.

The good news is that the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining understands the importance of the technician's role and wishes to raise the status of technicians within industry. Within our Institute the body charged with making a real difference to the training and development of technicians, and thereby helping individuals and companies to develop better opportunities and more rewarding careers, is the Incorporated Engineers and Technicians Committee.

But clearly we need to do more. The Committee is certainly one of the most enthusiastic that I have ever been involved in and is very willing to work to make a difference. Our role is to serve Incorporated Engineers and Technicians. If you have ideas on how we can raise the profile of the technician's role in the eyes of the employers or indeed any way in which we can serve technicians better we would be delighted to hear from you. If on the other hand you are pleased with your current role as a technician, then let us know what it is in your organisation that works well.

The Incorporated Engineers and Technicians Committee wants to help. Your contribution will help us succeed.

Graham Woodrow, on tel +44 (0)1302 380912 or fax him on +44 (0)1302 380900 or through our online enquiry form.