Knowledge Transfer Partnership project in Northern Ireland

The Further Education (FE) colleges of Northern Ireland are keen to showcase their ability to provide accessible and practical support to local businesses through Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project.  The FE colleges work closely with businesses across different levels of innovation and the KTP programme allows them to deliver a significant impact for businesses, chosen KTP associates and internal staff teams.

The KTP Programme is a UK wide initiative that helps improve local businesses by making use of the knowledge, technology and skills found within universities, colleges, and research organisations nearby.  The three essential elements to the programme are:

• Transfer of information and technology from the knowledge base to the company
• Provision of industry-based training and experience for graduates
• Enhanced levels of research and teaching in the College.

The six FE colleges (SERC, Belfast Met, SWC, SRC, NWRC and NRC) can offer businesses the opportunity to benefit from  specialist expertise in a range of fields.

There are two main types of Knowledge Transfer Partnership projects that the FE colleges can provide

• Technical KTPs focus specifically on product-based companies to assist with the creation of a new product, or a significant change to an existing product, in line with company goals. Technical KTP projects enable transformational improvement and positive change by identifying new innovative ways for business growth through product transformations.
• Management KTPs (mKTPs) focus specifically on service-based companies to increase productivity, effectiveness, resilience, sustainability and improving results through better management practices. They will enable transformational improvement and positive change by identifying key, strategic management-based initiatives to increase business effectiveness.

Costs are shared between the business and Innovate UK, the funders of the KTP programme, and projects last between 1-3 years.

If you choose to invest and take part in a project, your business will gain a KTP associate for the project duration, as well as the expertise from academic staff and the college teams. KTP advisers are also on standby for guidance, giving you all the help, you need if you sign up.

Harness the innovation on your doorstep with a KTP today – find out more at www.furthereducationni.com/ktp and find your local college that can help you.