Following nominations from employers and colleagues whose careers have been supported and inspired by technicians, nine outstanding candidates were shortlisted. 

The two winners were announced at the British Science Festival held in September at the University of Aston. The RSC President Professor David Phillips presented the awards and spoke of the importance of the role which technicians undertake in support of the chemical sciences.

The WMCTY awards recognise excellence in technical work in support of the chemical sciences across the wide spectrum of activities which utilise and depend on chemistry-based technicians in the West Midlands. 

The awards are high profile and have been developed collaboratively between:

• University of Warwick
• Royal Society of Chemistry
• Advantage West Midlands
• University of Aston
• HEaTED (Higher Education and Technicians Education and Development)