University News Last updated 24 February 2009
A double-decker bus that is showcasing how students can fast-track their careers by helping businesses develop a competitive edge will be pulling into Birmingham city centre.
The government programme Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is calling all students to hop aboard the GradBus when it visits Millennium Point, Birmingham, on the 26 February 2009.
Hosted by Birmingham City University, with support from Aston University and the University of Birmingham, the GradBus - a double-decker red bus - will provide information on how KTP can fast-track careers and offer excellent development opportunities for ambitious students.
KTP is one of Europe's leading graduate recruitment programmes, and is designed to help graduates manage challenging and strategic projects for companies, while being supported by a dedicated university.
A KTP partnership helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity.
John Kirk, Head of Business Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer at Birmingham City University, said:
"Birmingham has a long and successful history of knowledge transfer. In the last ten years alone the city has carried out nearly 170 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - covering a wide range of projects such as architecture, jewellery design, and high performance cars.
"The GradBus is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the city's three, prestigious universities to support KTP. We know that KTP works. It's a guaranteed formula for success and we want the students of Birmingham to know it too. So, if you're looking for a job which combines 10% of your time on training and development, an £18,000 - 25,000 starting salary, and project ownership, come along on to Millennium Point on February 26th to find out how this is possible."
At the GradBus event, students will be able to meet and chat to people who've worked on a KTP project, including David Hammond. His KTP, with the University of Birmingham designed a road surface sensor system for predicting weather conditions likely to affect the safety of public transport. He said of his KTP,
‘"Many graduates struggle to find a job after finishing their studies, but KTP really helps you stand out from the crowd."
As well as providing information about KTP, visitors to the GradBus will also gain important information about the jobs market, techniques on how to prepare for an interview and advice on how to write a killer CV.
Martin May, KTP Manager for Aston University said:
"In the current economy, many graduates are worried about whether they'll be able to find a good job after their studies. But KTP is going from strength to strength - last year the programme recruited for nearly 400 graduate places - and with the Government announcing that it's planning to double the number of KTPs over the next few years - now is an excellent time to look seriously at KTP."
Commenting on Birmingham's business economy and KTP, John Kirk said:
"Birmingham is a thriving industry for businesses, but in these difficult economies, it's more important than ever that the city looks for ways to future-proof its survival. For over 30 years KTP has successfully helped thousands of companies to design new products, improve processes, introduce new systems, discover new markets and thrive. We would actively encourage any business who is serious about being competitive to get in touch with their local KTP centre."
The GradBus will be at the Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham on Thursday 26 February from 10am - 5pm. Free shuttle buses will be provided to and from City North Campus the venue, and free car parking will be available at Millennium Point. For more information, please visit www.ktponline.org.uk/gradbus
For businesses looking to find out more about KTP, please visit http://www.ktponline.org.uk/
For more information about GradBus go to http://www.gradplus.com/gradbus/.