Small Business Service
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College-Business Partnerships (CBP)
The pilot phase of CBP
that ran through the UK is now closed to new proposals.
A main phase may be announced in due course following evaluation
of the pilot.
However, the scheme has recently been relaunched in Wales
as College and Businesses in Partnership. Further information
is obtainable from the following TCD Consultants covering
Wales:
CBP is a UK wide DTI scheme that follows the same principles
as TCS, but, focuses on Further Education Colleges (instead
of universities) in partnership with small and medium sized
enterprises (SMEs). It involves people recently qualified
at NVQ level 4 or equivalent undertaking a year long project
as an Associate in an SME involving technology that is both
relevant and appropriate to the business. Each CBP Project
is part-supported by a DTI grant to the FE Partner with
additional contributions from the company.
So far 72 completed Projects Reports have been received
from the 107 CBP Projects that were established. Early indication
suggest that there are significant benefits for colleges,
companies and Associates involved. Companies are reporting
a contribution to increased profits resulting from finding
new markets, increased sales and improved quality/operations.
Colleges report that course material now incorporates more
industrial focus and relevant business experience, while,
36 Associates have accepted a permanent position in their
host company on completion of their Projects.
For further information, the contact in DTI's Technology
and Knowledge Transfer Team is:
Elizabeth Dumbrell
Management Best Practice Directorate
Department of Trade and Industry
Bay 4112
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel: 020 7215 3871 Fax: 020 7215 3933
E-mail: elizabeth.dumbrell@dti.gsi.gov.uk
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