The vital contribution our technicians are making to the fight against COVID-19 if highlighted in this short video. Colleagues in the University's Biodiscovery Institute fumigated and decontaminated safety cabinets before they were donated to the government. This essential work protects both the virus, and the scientists that are studying it. The video highlights the crucial role technical services colleagues play in research - in this instance, developing and maintaining equipment. Technicians carry out hugely diverse roles across all faculties and fields - not just in higher education, but in industry as well. Today sees the launch of a new project led by a consortium of eight Midlands-based universities and industry partners is to shine a light on the expertise of their technical community by delivering a package of measures to support their career advancement and development. Midlands Innovation’s £4.99 million TALENT programme is the largest ever investment into technicians in higher education, whose specialist skills often go unrecognised despite the crucial role they play in the success of universities and the growth of the UK economy.