Founded in 1975, KTP aims to improve the productivity, competitiveness and promote innovation within the UK economy.
Essentially, a KTP project is a three-way partnership between a company, which has a specific and strategic project, a Knowledge Base (academic or research institution) that has skills 
relevant to the project and a high calibre Associate (recently qualified person) who works in the company on the project, whilst being supported by the Knowledge Base. Projects last from one to three years.
KTP creates a virtuous circle: academics get the opportunity to apply theory to real-life situations; Associates get hands-on experience at a strategic level; and companies get a dedicated resource of experts, focussed on helping them to become innovative market leaders.
KTP is also one of the largest graduate recruitment programmes across Europe.
According to ‘The UK Graduate Careers Survey 2006’, the top characteristics jobseekers thought were ‘very important’ include: using the degree subject studied; starting a real job straight away; and gaining a professional qualification.
KTP scores highly on all these key areas.
Associates are recruited to manage a specific, challenging project, which is core to the strategic development of the company, so from the outset of the KTP the Associate is tasked with ownership and delivery. Indeed Associates soon become integral to the company’s operations.
All Associates spend around 10% of their time in training and personal development. Training varies and depends on the demands of the KTP, but could include residential modules covering leadership and negotiation, financial management or company-based specific technical training.
Associates are also offered the opportunity to gain an NVQ level four in management. Depending on the financial commitment of the company, many Associates continue their studies further. In 200/62007, of the 253 Associates who did not possess a higher degree on recruitment, 21% registered for post-graduate qualifications based on learning achieved during their KTP projects. In addition, 50 recruits holding higher degrees registered for further post-graduate work.
Together with the external training and development, Associates also benefit from the close support and guidance the Knowledge Base partner provides throughout the duration of the KTP, which
includes a dedicated Academic Supervisor. The Associate also benefits from a local KTP Office and regional/ national KTP management.
So, what about life after KTP? According to the KTP Annual Report (2006/2007) 78% of Associates indicated that they were offered employment with their host company and 79% of the offers were accepted. Of the remaining, many Associates went on to achieve high profile posts, using the skills and experiences learnt during the KTP.
If you would like further information on the benefits Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can offer, and to view the current list of KTP vacancies, visit http://www.kptonline.org.uk