After much consideration, Technical Champions has made the difficult decision to stop accepting applications and cease operations.

For almost seven years, our aim has been to recognise and award schools and FE colleges who understand the vital role of technicians and who fully support and recognise their importance in education. Working in tandem with the influential #TECHOGNITION campaign and alongside Preproom.org, progress has undoubtedly been made over the past decade in encouraging schools to better value their technical staff, providing them with professional development opportunities, the resources they need to carry out their daily roles, and importantly, the respect and recognition they deserve.

However, school budgets have continued to dwindle, technicians continue to be made redundant and many academy leaders still see little value in technical staff, and this has made our job much harder. Ironically the schools and colleges who needed our help most were the ones least likely to reach out to us. Although we loved showcasing those schools and colleges who were exceptional in supporting their technicians, our main focus was with those who were struggling and needed our assistance. Unfortunately, those who don’t see value in technicians also don’t see value in us providing support to change that.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Technical Champions whether through application or being a supporting organisation.

We have always been aware that one day we will close our doors, but we hoped this would be when we were no longer needed – when all schools and colleges fully respect and recognise the essential work of technical staff, rather than when they need us most.