Kent gears up to celebrate 50 years of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership

For businesses looking to gain a competitive edge over their peers, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership can be a fantastic option.

First launched in 1975 under the guise of the Teaching Company Scheme, KTPs initially resembled the apprenticeships we see today, designed to help graduates gain hands-on experience in engineering and manufacturing with guidance from an academic. Now, 50 years on, these elements remain, but with the emphasis on supporting businesses to solve a range of complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment.

KTPs are unique in that they are a three-way partnership between a business or organisation with an innovative idea or challenge; a knowledge base with the expertise to deliver the innovation or solve the challenge; and a graduate who will drive the project forward to delivery. If the longevity of the scheme isn’t testament enough to its success, the stats are there to prove it: a 2023 report showed that 83% of businesses reported increases in productivity, profitability, employment, or turnover.

As one of the leading knowledge bases in the region, the University of Kent has played a pivotal role in bringing the KTP scheme to the South East for almost 40 years. Their experienced KTP team has close relationships with Innovate UK’s regional KTP Advisor and a 100% application success rate for Innovate UK funding. This covers 67% of project costs for SMEs and 50% of those for large businesses and public sector organisations.

KICC member, Baxall Construction, have successfully worked with the Univesity of Kent through the KTP scheme to integrate AI-powered sensors into their buildings to monitor temperature and CO2 levels in real time. As Managing Director, Malcom Clarke, explains, ‘Over the 60 years that we’ve been in existence, we’ve always had this ethos of continuous improvement and doing things differently. This KTP invigorated people within the business, demonstrated that we want to make a difference and took us out of our comfort zone.’

KTP Officer, Charlotte Siliafis, recommends, ‘Even if you are currently unsure whether you would benefit from the scheme, please do reach out as we can help identify possible solutions to a wide range of challenges your business may be facing.’

Those wishing to find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can visit https://www.kent.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/knowledge-transfer-partnerships. There will also be opportunities to discuss KTPs at Kent’s upcoming Kent and Medway Business Summit on Tuesday 13 May.