Knowledge Transfer Partnership
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a partnership between a company, university and a graduate.
The company benefits from a highly qualified graduate working as a member of their staff for two years, on a project that brings a strategic change to the business. Both large companies and SMEs (small to medium enterprises) are eligible.
KTPs operate by building partnerships between companies and academic institutions. The partnership develops a Knowledge Transfer Programme focused on meeting the needs/solving a problem of the industrial partner through the transfer of expertise.
For companies Knowledge Transfer Partnerships help them to:
- Develop new products or improve existing ones.
- Increase efficiency through improved business processes.
- Enter new markets.
- Increase the company's skill base.
For graduates, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships mean:
- Career development.
- Implementing strategic projects in a real business situation with some clear responsibility for the end result.
- The opportunity to develop a portfolio of technical and business skills.
Knowledge is transferred via a recent graduate working within the company with mentoring from an academic expert. Financial support is available as a grant, which can cover up to 67% of the programme costs.
In order to qualify for KTP, a Programme should:
- Have clear deliverables.
- Be at least 18 months work.
- Lead to an increase in profits.