Information for KTP associates

A KTP Associate (Associate) is an integral part of a KTP. They play a key role in managing and implementing strategic development in the partner organisation and transferring knowledge between the partner organisation and the knowledge base and vice versa. Associates own their project and are supported by experienced staff from the organisation and the university. Typical challenges encountered as an Associate, depending on your qualifications, include designing and introducing new or improved products or processes, re-organising production facilities, introducing improved quality systems and technology, or developing and implementing marketing strategies to break into new markets.

There is no such thing as a typical KTP Associate. Currently, the average age of a KTP associate is 32, but they really do range in age, and they come from over 60 nationalities, including the UK, India, Nigeria, Iran and Pakistan. 31% of KTP Associates are female, therefore there is still a way to go in improving the gender balance. 

Many associates (56%) are offered employment at the partner organisation at the end of the KTP, which demonstrates how integral they become in the organisation and how impactful their work has been. As a result, being a KTP Associate is extremely beneficial for career progression.

Starting a new role can be very demanding. In recognition of this fact and to ensure that KTP Associates do not feel overwhelmed, the support offered and provided to KTP Associates is significant. 

Very often KTP Associate positions are aimed at recent graduates, which means many candidates apply with no previous project management experience. If you are successful in an application then you will be supported throughout the KTP by your Company Supervisor, your Academic Supervisor, the KTP Team at the University and also the partnership’s KT Adviser from Innovate UK Business Connect, who will act as a sounding board and mentor to you.

As you may have read, the KTP Scheme has been in existence for nearly 50 years, during this time some generic and frequently observed training requirements for Associates have been noted and these are addressed through two one-week residential training modules along with some on-line learning. The training programme is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to complete your project successfully. You will cover a range of topics that will help you to manage the project itself, manage people and improve your interpersonal skills, as well as providing a commercial context to what you are doing. These skills will not only help you with your current project but will also be invaluable in your future career.

Alongside the Associate training modules, Associates are also provided with an annual budget of £2,000 to spend on training and development activities agreed with their Supervisors, and are encouraged to use up to 10% of their time on these. So conference attendance, training courses, networking events, professional memberships etc. can all be accessed by Associates. 

You can find all the details of currently advertised KTP Associate positions on the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships website. All KTPs partnered with the University of York will be advertised on the University’s job vacancy web page.

Prospects - experts in Graduate Careers

Knowledge Transfer Network's information on KTP for graduates

Up to date details of available KTP Associate positions