"technical work" singular or plural?

Should I use "are" or "is" in this sentence?

The technical work done at these meetings is an import precursor to the...

Solution 1:

You would use is.

The issue is that the "work" in "technical work" is a mass noun or a noncount noun. Rather like "bread" or "advice," even when multiple items are involved the noun form would remain singular:

I have received a lot of advice (but not "a lot of advices")

I have eaten many loaves of bread (but not "loaves of breads")

I have a ton of work to get done (but not "a ton of works")

So even if you are doing a lot of technical projects, you are in effect still doing technical work.

The technical work ... is ...

Solution 2:

is

The technical work done at these meetings is an import precursor to the ....

Subject here is "The technical work" and it's singular - so you have to use "is"