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Knowledge transfer partnership schemes explained

A Technology Innovation Centre product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 6, 2004

The Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) is holding free seminars to help UK Midlands companies benefit from low-cost, expert technology-graduate help.

The Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) is holding free seminars to help UK Midlands companies benefit from low-cost, expert technology-graduate help.

In the wake of the recent report by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), these Birmingham-based events will show local companies how technological advance can come through subsidised UK Government schemes.

The ESRC's study found that output per hour worked in British companies is 20% below companies in France and Germany and approaching 40% adrift of the USA.

Commenting on the report's findings, the TIC's Professor Ian Oakes comments: "Since actual output per employee is close to that in German industry, the average UK employee has to work 16% longer to bridge the productivity gap".

"There are clear cost implications.

Increase in the use of technology has to be key to our changing this situation".

TIC is staging three free seminars to show how knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) schemes can help both manufacturing and service businesses in their search for innovation, efficiency and competitiveness.

Through KTPs, industry benefits from the knowledge and expertise of established universities, colleges or research organisations.

Improving on what were previously known as teaching company schemes (TCSs), KTPs offer companies flexible, low-cost access to expert graduates in relevant disciplines.

The TIC has won widespread recognition for knowledge-transfer programmes in industries such as automotive, general engineering and manufacturing, hydraulics, jewellery, environmental and technical services, to name but a few.

Professor Oakes adds: "KTPs are open to virtually any business with a need to develop technology anywhere in its operations".

"With a wide portfolio of technologies, and reputation for producing 'highly employable' graduates, TIC provides access to excellent quality KTP associates".

Among dozens of completed knowledge transfer partnerships, TIC has been responsible for several which have been recognised at national and regional level.

One of the UK's top-rated programmes was carried out by TIC with the Nuneaton- based MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association), investigating the use of media technologies in crash-testing programmes.

Recently Birmingham- based jewellery manufacturer R Platnauer received an 'excellence' award from the KTP grading panel for its TIC-assisted programme as did London- based, three-time 'jewellery manufacturer of the year', Alfred Terry.

A recent TIC scheme at fast-growing Derby-based Deaf Alerter - dedicated to the manufacture, installation and support of alarm warning and messaging systems for the deaf and hard of hearing - has seen the current graduate receive an accolade at the 2004 Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Conference.

Discussions with a KTP consultant determine whether a company would benefit.

The resulting programme can be between one and three years and aims to make a step change in a priority area of the business.

TIC's free introductory KTP seminars take place on 13th October, 11th November and 9th December 2004 at its Millennium Point campus, central Birmingham.

They will detail the overall benefits of the scheme, backed by successful case study testimonies.