KTPs must stay, say businesses
Midlands business leaders are calling for the knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) programme to be retained as its cancellation could damage the regional economy. A special report in the November issue of Midlands Business Insider has found widespread support for KTPs.
The partnerships are part of a government subsidised scheme that allows a company to employ a postgraduate and to work closely with a university on a specific business development project.
Whilst no specific threat has been made to the future of KTPs, there is a fear that impending cuts in funding for government-backed projects could have an impact.
Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick, said: “Businesses now know that to survive they must keep improving their knowledge.”
However, he argues that businesses should not rely on government funding before starting a KTP. “If I need training I’ll pay for it myself. You have to be prepared to do things on your own rather than waiting for the government to help,” he said.
