University programme makes students more employable

Manufacturing might offer some of the UK’s best paid jobs, but how can someone improve their chances of being recruited into one? Having the right skills is arguably top of the list. Whilst university is a great way to build up knowledge – but what about experience?

This was the question troubling, budding entrepreneur, Tom Dawes; and in his quest to prepare himself for greatness, he discovered Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). Funded by the government’s Technology Strategy Board, the KTPs facilitate partnerships between academic institutions (and their students) and external companies. The aim is to encourage rewarding and ongoing collaborations with innovative businesses, which lack specific skills and expertise in-house, to help their company develop – which is where the students come in.

After completing an Honours degree in manufacturing engineering at the University of Liverpool, Tom joined a two-year KTP to improve production planning and supply chain management at a modest-sized aerospace company, whilst studying for a PhD. It meant he could gain experience in business whilst retaining the support available from the University.

“What is great about doing a KTP”, says Tom, “is that I was able to look at tomorrow’s technology through the university. I could experience real life issues whilst also developing myself. There was a lot of investment in me and I was given the right tools to deliver on them.”


The right fit

“The placement was in a sector that was quite sexy,” he concedes. “But, if you’re considering joining a KTP, then you’ve got to be selfish about your choice. You’ve got to ask yourself ‘is it the role I want to have?’ ‘Is the sector I want?’

“I saw doing a KTP as the best way to find my niche,” Tom remembers. In fact, thanks to his KTP grounding, Tom was able set up on his own and now runs Aerogistics Group Ltd a group of aerospace companies providing low-cost, supply chain integration.

“A company can always recruit good graduates, but they don’t come with that extra external support the university gives you. This is a structured programme with clear deliverables so it does differentiate itself from graduate recruitment.”

“It is right for people who want to take on responsibility for themselves,” says Tom. You are thrown in at the deep-end, but given opportunities you don’t get in larger companies. It’s good for people who want to set up on their own, because it builds confidence. One thing is for sure,” laughs Tom: “it’s not for anyone who wants an easy life.”

Did you know?

According to Knowledge Transfer Partnership figures, 52% of companies had an increase in the overall value of the business whilst 62% had an increase in sales.

Figures suggest that those companies involved in a KTP scheme showed an increase in annual profit of over £290k.

Aerogistics Group Ltd is a group of aerospace companies providing low cost supply chain integration as well as process integration through the King & Fowler treatment facilities. The group adds value by managing the risk and complexity of low cost multi-commodity supply chains and integrating the surface treatments and testing.