We recently hosted a webinar: What is ITSS Consulting: Your Questions Answered to help more people learn about the new professional development partner from the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.
For those who couldn’t join us, here are the key takeaways.
Who is ITSS Consulting?
ITSS Consulting is part of the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy (ITSS), which launched in August 2023 in response to the TALENT Commission Report.
We are driven by our mission to future-proof technical skills and careers. We offer bespoke professional development services for the higher education and research sector and the technical community.
Why ITSS Consulting?
We’ve listened to the technical community and responded to a growing need for bespoke, technician-focused support. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Experts at the core: We’re not like other consultants. We are rooted in the technical community, with decades of experience in academia and research.
- Your professional development partner: Whether it’s training, career advice, or strategic planning, our expert ideas help you find practical solutions.
- Future-proofing technical careers: Our mission is to ensure technical skills thrive, sustaining world-class education and innovation.
- Not-for-profit values
What others say about us:
Bethany Hunter, Research Technician from Newcastle University joined us to share her experiences of working with ITSS Consulting.
She explained that she was unsure if we could help but got in touch when she saw that what she needed wasn’t part of the ITSS Learning and Development Academy.
Beth said: “We couldn’t identify a course that was suitable on creating bespoke training materials and production for those delivering technical training. We wanted to offer formal training to the team so they could learn how to put together resources to deliver accessible training for staff members.”
ITSS Consulting delivered a bespoke Train the Trainer session for Newcastle University which unlocked further opportunities for technical professionals working towards Advance HE fellowships as a result.
“I was surprised how high-quality the training was, given the short space of time since our initial chat. As a delegate of the training sessions, I found them interactive, there was lots of parts for reflection, and it was great to see the positive reaction from the other technicians taking part in the programme.
“No official approval was required internally. We have been given grant money to address this problem and enhance research culture, this has helped contribute to this goal. I did need to liaise with Technician Commitment leads and other staff members to make sure I wasn’t reinventing the wheel, conflicting or duplicating other activity.
“The ITSS Consulting team looked after us an delivered an excellent product; all the delegates had a great time and benefited from the train the trainer session.”
Myth Busting: What ITSS Consulting isn’t
Let’s tackle some common misconceptions about ITSS Consulting:
- Myth #1: “You need to have all the answers before contacting us.”
Reality: You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for! We specialise in helping you figure out your needs, even if they’re unclear at first. - Myth #2: “ITSS Consulting only supports technicians.”
Reality: While technicians are at the core of our work, we support everyone involved in education, research, and innovation—including managers, team leaders, and organisational decision-makers. - Myth #3: “We’ll have to commit to something immediately.”
Reality: Not at all! We’re all about having informal, no-obligation conversations to understand your challenges and explore how we can help. - Myth #4: “ITSS Consulting is a one-size-fits-all service.”
Reality: Every solution we provide is bespoke and tailored to your unique needs. We take time to understand your situation and create strategies that work specifically for you. - Myth #5: “We can’t afford to work with ITSS Consulting.”
Reality: As a not-for-profit organisation, we focus on sustainability, not profit. Our services are designed to be accessible and deliver real value.