Medilink News February Issue 2014 | Page 5

Engagement with the academic community was crucial in the foundation and ongoing success of Medilink. Yorkshire is home to a number of leading academic institutions and through Medilink, members can utilise these relationships and engage in partnerships with Universities across the region. Below you will find examples of how you can practically engage with them. Medilink has strong links with Universities across the region, including Bradford, York, Hull, Sheffield and Leeds Many of the regions Universities support local SMEs wishing to offer student and graduate internships through Internship Programmes. These schemes enable local organisations to offer paid projects to undergraduates. Key criteria for a KTP project: Innovative, Impact for the company, Partner strategic and financial, a skills gap within the company- new skills transferred, Challenge for the Associate and University Internships provide an ideal opportunity for Universities to engage with local businesses. Businesses benefit as they get a proactive and enthusiastic individual who can bring a new perspective or drive a new idea forward. Contact the Business Development Manager of your local University to find how a KTP could work for your company. For example, the Careers Centre at Leeds has subsidies available for SMEs and charities wishing to participate in this programme. Contact your local University to find out about internship opportunities. The Government-backed Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme enables businesses to tackle a specific challenge by embedding key skills and knowledge. A KTP is a three way collaborative partnership between the company, the academic team and a recent graduate. Part funded by Government and supported by the academic team, the graduate delivers a strategic and business focussed project for the company. It is this combination that makes a KTP so effective, with the average partnership delivering more than £240,000 of increased profits before tax. The region’s Universities have an excellent track record for KTPs - for example Sheffield Hallam University has participated in more than 150 over the past 25 years. By delivering a solution to strategic problem within the company partner the KTP programme helps embed new specialist skills and knowledge within the organisation. Projects can be from 6 months to 3 years in length. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES The Careers Centre can also advertise placement year and graduate roles and offers a range of events and fairs throughout the year which employers can attend to engage with students. ACADEMIC PARTNERS JOIN MEDILINK... Being a member of Medilink makes you a part of the largest Healthcare and related Life Sciences association in the UK, giving you access to expert support, sector leading services and events that will help your organisation grow. • • Your own dedicated Client Relationship Manager Access to new funding opportunities and support on bids • Access to an extensive network of Healthcare Technology businesses, clinicians and academics • Your company profile on the Medilink Y&H website • Discounted services, including PR & Marketing, International, Innovation and Events For more information about membership and joining Medilink, contact: [email protected] 05