Knowledge transfer fails to move firms

Organisers of a seminar to help food and drink companies raise skills levels have been left frustrated after being forced to cancel the event due to lack of interest from manufacturers.

The Institute of Consumer Sciences (ICS) planned to hold the seminar on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) at the end of March. But, despite a good response from universities, 18 of which agreed to attend, the ICS was unable to secure any interest from food firms.

"I cannot believe that with the industry claiming there is a shortage of good, new talent, KTPs are not of interest," said the ICS chair, Dianne Page. "It is hugely frustrating when we try to bring industry and academia together for their own good and it just falls flat on its face."

KTPs match a recently qualified individual, known as an associate, with a university or college and with a business wanting to boost output or complete a project.

Claire Seaman, senior lecturer and KTP manager at Queen Margaret's University College in Edinburgh, was due to speak at the seminar with the associate Ashley Unis, who completed a KTP project at Mrs Unis Spicy Foods, developing a new range and business and marketing strategies.

Seaman said firms were failing to exploit KTPs. "This would have been a great chance for them to learn more about it."

Paula Widdowson, commercial director of the food and drink skills council Improve, suggested the poor response was more to do with lack of time than lack of interest: "Skill shortages are high up on everybody's agenda."