Progress South Central Progress South Central: The Lifelong Learning Network for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey

Seminar on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

LEAD ORGANISATION

Progress South Central

ADDITIONAL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED

University of Reading; Oxford Brookes University

PROJECT SUMMARY

Progress South Central delivered a seminar on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) in colleges to representatives from partner colleges. The seminar took place at the University of Reading on 23 July 2010.

Anne Hartnell, KTP Regional Adviser, gave a presentation on 'Knowledge Transfer Partnerships in FE & HE'. This gave an overview of the two types of KTP and the benefits of KTP, and included an FE Case Study showing how one FE college had benefited from partnership with a software development house. Anna Price of the University of Reading's Knowledge Transfer Centre spoke about the practicalities of administering KTPs.

IMPACT

The seminar was attended by nine representatives of Progress South Central's partner colleges. Colleges represented were Abingdon & Witney College, Amersham & Wycombe College, Aylesbury College, Brockenhurst College, Brooklands College and Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. The attendees benefited from gaining an insight into KTPs and the opportunities that they offer.

It was agreed that the college representatives present would discuss KTPs and their potential with management in their respective colleges, although it was noted that further assistance from Anne Hartnell as KTP Regional Adviser might be necessary where there were gaps in understanding. It was noted that KTP Advisers were available to provide support to colleges in all aspects of KTP.

The existing strong employer engagement links within colleges and the mutual environment of trust could be utilised in investigating potential areas of business/education development that would be ideal KTP projects. Subsequent involvement of an HEI partner would then be likely.

Progress South Central offered assistance with the knowledge and expertise needed to submit proposals, including potential proposals to the KTP Technology Strategy Board for a new KTP Administrative Centre.

© copyright Progress South Central 2012