Roofscape in partnership with the South West College has been successful in securing a grant of over £70,000 to help improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills in Building Information Modelling (BIM) that reside within the UK knowledge base. This Technology Strategy Board grant, known as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) will see strategic growth of Roofscape roof and wall cladding, from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, through R&D investment in its Technology department.
Each KTP employs one or more high calibre associates (recently qualified graduates) for a project lasting one to three years, transferring the knowledge the company is seeking into the business. Each associate works in the company on a project which is core to the strategic development of the business. Through contact with businesses, the knowledge base partner (in this case the South West College) is also provided with a relevant and improved understanding of the challenges companies face, and their business requirements and operations.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a UK-wide programme run and managed on behalf of 17 government funding organisations by the Technology Strategy Board. Each Partnership is part funded by Government with the balance of the costs coming from the company partner. Associates are jointly supervised by a senior member of the business and an academic or technical specialist from the partnering knowledge base organisation.
Speaking after the announcement of the award, Fergal Tuffy of the College’s InnoTech Centre said, "Within the South West College we are continuing to support industry in the South West Region in moving to the next level through high-tech research and development. KTPs are one of Europe’s leading graduate recruitment programmes. High calibre graduates are employed to work on specific projects of strategic importance to companies whilst being supported by an academic partner."
The KTP associate is working with Fiona Brazill, Department of Technology, who is the project Supervisor and Lead Academic responsible for the transfer of knowledge and technology between the South West College and Roofscape in the area of BIM. This programme provides an exciting opportunity for a talented graduate to gain valuable experience in a thriving company. It allows South West College to continue to develop curriculum; at present Fiona delivers a level 4 NOCN accredited BIM course through the HATCH programme. The College will continue to develop further CPD courses for businesses and higher education students in response to the construction industry move to BIM and knowledge gained from this project.
Managing Director of Roofscape, Michael Coyle, commented, "We are market leaders in the design, supply and installation of high quality roof and wall cladding for commercial educational and retail buildings. This KTP will allow us to work with our industry partners through Building Information Modelling and expand our design service capability."
Michael also felt that this would allow the company to grow even further and enhance its services. He said, "This partnership has sourced and appointed a KTP graduate. Eoin O’Shea will be based in our company for the next 2 years. In that period we are looking to grow Roofscape further by streamlining existing design services, targeting new markets and expanding our integrated CAD model into building information model capabilities."
This Partnership received financial support from the KTP programme, which aims to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base. KTP is funded by the Technology Strategy Board along with the other government funding organisations.
To find out more about the KTP programme or advancing your innovative ideas, contact Fergal Tuffy at the InnoTech Centre via www.theinnotechcentre.com or telephone 028 8225 5223.
To find out more about CPD on Building Information Modelling contact Fiona Brazill at fiona.brazill@swc.ac.uk.