Member Article

Knowledge partnerships pay off Redcar housing group

Redcar housing group Coast & Country have tackled a number of IT challenges and grown their workforce thanks to a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

Graduates Deborah Matthews and Andrew Hughes joined the firm to work on an IT project via Teesside University a KTP, and have since gone on to secure full time jobs.

Deborah, whose degree is in computer studies, said: “I joined Coast & Country via Teesside University’s KTP to help them with some major IT changes such as the introduction of service desks and single points of contact.

“But my role changed and developed throughout the year, and when a job came up, I was successful in getting it.

“Andrew then joined us to take over the KTP project – supervised by myself - which moved into the important field of document management systems and data protection for the company.”

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are part-funded by the Government, led by the Technology Strategy Board. They are flexible in length from 18 months to three years, depending on the needs of the business involved.

Andrew’s work on the Coast & Country project led him to a new job with Middlesbrough-based Fabrick Housing Group.

He said: “I joined the KTP after doing a Master’s degree in computing science – I heard about the scheme and saw the Coast & Country role advertised on the Teesside University website.

“One of the huge benefits of KTP is that it’s for the mutual benefit of the company and the person taking part – it’s all about personal development.”

Teesside University KTP associates are supported by an academic mentor throughout their project, and also benefit from training courses.

Andrew said: “I found the academic contact extremely helpful – it’s great to get expert advice and a new perspective when you need it, particularly in a business analyst role like mine.

“I also enjoyed mingling with other KTP associates at the networking events which are held around the country.”

Both would recommend Teesside University’s KTPs to students who have completed their studies.

Andrew said: “It’s a great way to work with a company while receiving extra training and valuable further support from a university.”

Geoff Archer, Teesside University’s Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation Manager, added: “In KTP, a recent graduate works on a strategic project jointly supervised by the University and the business.

“The business is able to access skills and expertise to help their company develop, while the graduate benefits from working on a significant project in a business, gaining experience while getting support from the University.

“We’re delighted when we hear about successes such as Deborah’s and Andrew’s,” he said.

“In this case, Coast and Country has benefited from some expert IT help while our KTP associates have used and extended their own skills.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .