Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer practical support and expertise to companies wishing to tackle strategic business improvement or development projects. They involve:

working in partnership with an academic expert who applies specific knowledge to the project and guides the programme from start to finish
a full-time, high-calibre graduate employed to deliver the programme of work
grant funding to heavily subsidise the project cost

The Scheme

KTP programmes support the employment of a KTP Associate (a high-calibre graduate holding a 2.1 Honours degree or above) within the host company working full-time for a period of between 12 and 36 months. The programme must be involved with the development of a component or process that is of strategic significance to the company and one that the company does not have the capability or capacity to undertake alone.

The programme also provides access to a dedicated team of University academics who advise and guide the project from day one in conjunction with the Industrial Supervisor based at the host company. This three-way partnership (Academic Supervisor – Associate – Industrial Supervisor) ensures that all three partners get the most out the KTP scheme.

Up to 60% of the project costs are paid by a Government grant with the Company contributing the remainder. This typically means an outlay of between £16,000 and £18,000 per year representing great value. Included in the funding allowance is a generous budget for training and development of the Associate to develop any skills required for the particular programme. An equipment budget is also included to fully equip the Associate with the necessary tools to do their job (e.g. a laptop PC, software, etc.).

Current programmes

Micromark, the Knowsley-based electrical and security goods manufacturer (part of the Bridisco group of companies), have begun a 2-year programme with the School to develop a global extranet to assist in the product design and manufacture process. This project aims to improve the product design process and streamline communications between teams around the world leading to faster product development at reduced cost.

Established in 1985, Micromark has grown to become a leading manufacturer of quality electrical products.

Read the case study.

Companies Who Have Already Benefited from KTP

The School has already undertaken a number of KTP programmes. In total, the School has helped secure grants of over £1 million to assist local companies via these schemes.

Previous recipients of KTP grant funding in conjunction with the School include:

Case Studies

SCI Search & Selection

SCI Search & Selection is a scientific recruitment consultancy based in Hartford, Cheshire. Craig Hewett, Managing Director of SCI, heard of the many benefits of KTP from a business associate and decided to contact LJMU with the view of developing the IT infrastructure used within his Company to better effect and to develop innovative new information systems and knowledge-base technologies. A two-year programme was developed and the Company saw productivity and profits leap within the first year.

“The availability of the information in the database is already having benefits in reducing job matching times for consultants (and hence reducing costs). In addition, the peace of mind I now have with a far more secure and robust IT system helps me sleep better at night. SCI would not have had these benefits without the help of LJMU and KTP.”—Craig Hewett, Managing Director, SCI Search & Selection Ltd.

Read more about the success of this project by downloading this profile (PDF document).

Chance & Hunt

Chance & Hunt Ltd is a chemical distribution company based in Runcorn, Cheshire. LJMU secured a KTP grant to allow two new Associates to develop key aspects of the business. As a direct result of this programme, the Company has set up a new subsidiary, P2EB, to enable companies in this sector to operate e-business activities with ease.

This particular project was chosen as a 'Highly-Rated Partnership' in the 2003 DTI Partnership Awards.

More information

You can find more information on KTP programmes and hear success stories from other companies on the KTP website: http://www.ktponline.org.uk/