Introducing a Technician Training Scheme TTS at CERN

Introducing a “Technician Training Scheme (TTS)” at CERN J. Purvis Enlarged Directorate 14. 12. 2012

Situation across Europe • • • 25 million unemployed in EU (Eurostat) 4 million unfilled positions (Business Europe) For the first time in history: both numbers are increasing “skills erosion in the youth” “Improving people’s skills is crucial to address the many challenges Europe is facing”

Potential Remedies Numerous government & EU recommendations & initiatives • “placing emphasis on skills training – with a focus on youth. ” • “Encourage companies that are willing to train young people “ • “Promote the knowledge of different languages and improve foreign language proficiency” • Focus on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. • Innovation key

What CERN can offer Closely linked to CERN’s Mission of Research, Education, Training & Technology, offer: • World Class training for technicians just having completed studies • Excellent supervision • Latest technologies • STEM subjects • Innovation • Challenging & motivating projects! • Languages

Current CERN Programmes FELLOWS GET Marie-Curie Doctoral Students Admin Students Scientific Associates Technical Students Summer Students • A multitude of worldclass opportunities for capacity building • From undergraduate to Post-graduate • All current programmes require a university education

Success of GET Number of Graduate Engineering Trainees Arrivals Announced to Council in 2009 • 13 in 2009, 34 in 2010, 90 GETs to-date • Wide range of engineering disciplines: Mechanical, Electronics, Computing, Safety, Civil Running Total b 1 Ap 0 r-1 0 Ju l-1 Se 0 p 1 De 0 c 1 Fe 0 b 1 Ap 1 r-1 Ju 1 n 1 Au 1 g 1 Oc 1 t-1 De 1 c 1 Fe 1 b 1 Ap 2 r-1 Ju 2 n 1 Au 2 g 1 Oc 2 t-1 2 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Fe •

Potential Technician Trainee Supervisory Pool Designer/Draughtsman ; 33 Operators; 77 General Technician; 80 Mechanics/ Electromechanics, 221 Heating and Ventilation/Cooling; 29 Over 800 CERN technicians Work(site) Inspection & Planning; 25 Vacuum Techniques; 27 Many leaders in their fields Work Safety/Radiation Protection; 44 Workshop Management & Quality Control; 7 Immense Knowledge Training potential Occupational Medicine; 4 Electricity; 62 Computing; 73 Civil Engineering/Surveying. Topometry; 20 Electronics; 172

2012 “feasibility study” Questions to address • General feasibility? • Mobility of this population? • Diversity? • Equitable access across MS? • Language barrier? Four groups identified in CERN • Projects in vacuum, electricity, mechanics • Supervisors with years of experience • Formal & on the job training Applications opened in spring • Six candidates selected to start autumn 2012 (ES, GB, IT, PT) • Offered employment contract with fellow-like conditions (1 -2 years)

TTS – A Practical Solution • No change in SR&R • • • Successful applicants will be awarded fellowship-based contract & conditions Selection criteria adapted to disciplines Strong training, learning & supervision components Focus on skills transfer to Member States & “talent pipeline” Diversity of domains: mechanics, electro-mechanics, electricity, electronics, vacuum, controls…

Reactions to Proposal “Will produce great talent not just for CERN but also for the Member States” “A great way of giving supervisory responsibilities to some of the more senior technicians who currently don’t have the opportunity” “In-line with Member States government initiatives” “A great way of maximizing the training facilities at CERN” “Fills a ‘gap’ in the current range of opportunities offered by CERN” “CERN again setting the example for other’s to Follow”

Internal mechanism Requirements • MPE Contracts • PF & CHIS obligatory Comparisons Takehome Basic 5165 4465 3134 3283 TECH 3510 TTS 3512 3679 DOCT 4178 FELL (BSc) 5794 4585 STAF (Ca. 0) Constraints : • No change in SRR, • No change in Salary Scales • No new Category of MP Creativity! • Give ‘fell’-type contracts, report to Council as TTS • Pay Basic stipend without seniority supplement Result • Standard Cost ~ 6 K (cf 9 K for Ca. 0) • Comes from P budget • Doesn’t count against 2250 FTE

Next Steps • Challenge • • Requirement • • Recruitment Drive & privileged contacts with select schools Proposal • • • For over 50 years CERN’s doors have been closed to this population Continue pilot Collect data / sample size to confirm feasibility study Follow-up • • • Member State Communication Announce via TREF in May Council / Five-Yearly ? LS 1 offers exciting time for such opportunities

Feedback from Pilot (so far) “This scheme is very important as it will offer an amazing potential for future recruitments in CP C on technical careers” recruitments “Serigio Guarino is now integrated in the team and shows extreme motivation. He is supervised directly by a technician of CP C, which gives us the opportunity to develop the supervisory skills of technicians. I think it obliges his technicians supervisor to plan the training on the field of the young guy, giving him an insight into his own work. . “I am sure this will help to develop also the senior guy, not only the student. ” student • “The duration of the contract is such that we have enough time to get back a return on investment. . would say that the minimum length for it to be win-win would be 1 + 1 years. ” “Limited pool of candidates - advertise the program more and present it as an exceptional training opportunity (not a 2 y job). I wonder if technicians are really attracted by a 2 y contract that does not offer any other concrete prospect. ”

Ultimate Goal Formalise a Technician Training Scheme to provide world-class technician training, that would : • • • Welcome technical diploma level school leavers (EQF level 5) Technical Fields from Member States for 2 -3 years Promote learning & development on the latest challenging & exciting technical feats Facilitate Skills Transfer back to their home countries

CERN OFFERS A multitude of first class training opportunities in a high-tech, multicultural environment GET Providing essential & world-class recognised capabilities for capacity building TTS Equipping the next generation of scientists , engineers & technicians Fellows

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