The electronics sector is a vast and diverse sector which, is not only significant in it's own right, but also plays a significant role in most other markets as a competitive differentiator. Building a network of companies in this sector means connecting companies from across the UK.
Recognising that regions across the UK have differing cluster and market strengths, and therefore different priorities, the Electronics KTN aims to build partnerships to enable each region to deliver local agendas that meet local member needs, as well as promoting the regions members throughout the UK and internationally.
The Electronics KTN therefore intends to form a Regional EKTN within each RDA and Devolved Administration.
Each Regional KTNs will receive a budget from the Electronics KTN, and will have autonomy to deliver an agreed number of regional networking events, seminars or programmes, that will compliment the priorities within its region, for its community within the electronics sector.
The Regional KTN will be expected to recruit participating members for the EKTN, and to promote and deliver the services of the Electronics KTN within its region. As the Electronics KTNs goal is to engage those companies not traditionally networked (i.e. over and above those companies who today engage in trade associations), recruitment targets will be set for the region based upon participating companies who are not members of the UK Electronics Alliance (as of February 2007).
The budget for these activities will be agreed between each region, and will be directly related to the number of member companies that the region recruits as participating members, in either the regional or national programmes (events or seminars).
Participation means engaging in either seminars or events (online or otherwise), and / or agreeing to register their company details onto the Electronics KTN capability directory.
Registration to the Electronics KTN on its own does not qualify as participation in itself, but must be followed up by engagement with the network as described above, to be included as a participating member.
The rationale for “participating members” is to ensure that a vibrant, connected network is established that is learning through network interactions.