What is Tribeca and what do they do?
Tribeca is an award-winning communications agency, which started in 1989, specialising in knowledge-based services that help clients motivate, inform and train. It is a micro-sized company, employing four people, and is based in central London. Clients include blue-chip companies and Government departments.
Why did Tribeca need a KTP?
A previous marketing-led KTP with Tribeca revealed that an e-learning service should be added to the company’s portfolio. They wanted to create an innovative approach to this discipline that would fit their client’s needs and so Tribeca decided to work in partnership with leading academics in e-learning and employ an individual who could transfer this knowledge into the company.
How did you get involved in KTP?
It was mostly through University career advice. A couple of my tutors at University also suggested that KTP is a good programme after graduating, so I looked at it amongst other career options. I saw the advert for my role on the KTP website.
What does your job involve?
I am responsible for managing projects for clients based around knowledge information retrieval or e-learning. So, on a day to day basis, this means meeting clients, getting a brief, developing the proposal, pulling together the most suitable team, developing the creative concept, working with the designers, testing the project to final delivery. Each project lasts anywhere from one to three months, and at any one time I am managing two to four projects. I am also responsible for the graphic design in the projects, so I get a really nice mix of project management and creative development.
So, what kind of projects are you working on?
It varies from client to client, but basically the work focuses on developing new communication and training strategies. A client may want to improve their communication channels or they may want to create a different platform for communication and training, which might be a new intranet site, CD Roms, DVDs, internet and so on. The medium we develop could vary also from video, text, graphics animation and audio.
What are the challenges of being a KTP Associate?
Multi-media is a really vibrant industry to work in. The technology is continually developing, so you have to stay on the ball. Every client has a unique problem to solve, so it can be challenging to come up with creative solutions to meet their needs.
What have been the highlights so far?
It has definitely been the professional development you gain through KTP. I am much more skilled and confident in dealing with clients and managing teams. I have learnt a lot about how the industry works and I have also increased my knowledge of new technology and how to use it.
What kind of support do you get from the University?
KTP Associates benefit from having a strong network of support. I have monthly meetings with Bath University (who are the academic partners on the KTP), plus I speak to them via email or phone whenever I need to. It is reassuring to know that when I come across a problem or if I need guidance, I’ve got a whole resource of academics who can support me.
What does it take to be a successful KTP Associate?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Associates should be motivated and curious about the company they are working for. Strong communication skills are important, as is a willingness to learn.
What does the future hold for you?
I finish my KTP in a couple of weeks and I am planning to stay with the company to grow the e-learning services we’ve developed. I’m really thrilled about my future with Tribeca.
Describe your experiences of KTP in three words:
Motivational
Challenging
Exciting
Would you recommend KTP to others?
Absolutely!
About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Established in 1975, KTP is one of the largest graduate recruitment programmes in the UK.
KTP is a three-way partnership between a company that has a specific, strategic project, a University which has the skills relevant to the project and a KTP Associate, a recently qualified person (most Associates are graduates, but qualifying Associates can have an NVQ level four).
Projects vary from one to three years. 76% of Associates are offered a full time position of employment on completion of the KTP project.
Of the 757 Associates registered in KTP projects (2006), 28% are female. KTP projects cover a wide variety of disciplines, from business management, engineering, agriculture, sciences to media and marketing.
To find out more information, visit
www.ktponline.org.uk and navigate to the Graduate’s section.
