The document summarizes an interim report on the MEGS-KT Research Project. It outlines the project's aims to address skills shortages and business development needs in the renewable energy sector through collaboration between SMEs and higher education. Methods used include literature reviews, interviews, surveys, and workshops. Initial findings revealed a lack of research on SME needs, difficulties engaging SMEs, and concerns about sharing commercial information. However, there was also positive support from academics and government. Next steps include further workshops and linking findings to training programs to overcome barriers to SME growth in renewable energy.

1. MEGS-KT Research Project
Interim Reporting
October 2012

2. Contents
• Context
• Aims
• Methods
• Results (achievements to note and initial
technical development)
• Barriers, limitations and the next stage
(WP3, WP4)
• Transferability, sustainability, social impact
and other benefits

3. MEGS-KT - Aims
• Skills shortage in the renewable energy sector.
• Business development needs in the energy sector
to support the growth of low carbon communities
• An opportunity for innovative collaboration SMEs
with the HEI sector

4. Objectives
• Construct a visual representation that describes the
social nature of the SME community.
• Explore and evaluate the potential of specific social
network-based facilities and the role of networks in
knowledge identification and transfer within the SME
community.
• Develop an exemplar for an e-learning environment

5. Mixed Methods
• Literature review
• Interviews with professionals from the industry
• Distributed paper questionnaires and online surveys
• Visual methods
• Ethnographic methods/ work shadowing
• Collaborative workshops and “co-design” activities (WP3 and WP4)

6. Resources
• 10 paper filled questionnaires
• 18 online surveys
• 16 transcribed interviews
• 1 work-shadowing days
• 4 planned Service Design / “co-design”
collaborative workshops

8. Question 1
What would you say are the main difficulties to
overcome in your role at the present time?

9. Question 2
What are the most important work related
questions in your mind right now?

10. Question 3
What information are you lacking to support
your business growth?

11. Question 4
Are you networked/ networking?

12. Insights
SMEs do not have defined roles like larger companies.
SMEs have little time to research and improve their businesses
No-one understands the Green Deal (May 2012)?
SMEs cannot communicate well their needs, when asked.
In the current climate there is a lack of work/ of projects (architects lack
projects, construction companies lack projects).
Bureaucratic methods for getting accredited discourages
peoples/companies from accreditation (subsequent lack of jobs, loss of
tenders).
Many people are interested in the DIY section of the sector.
The construction industry is poor in terms of QA.
With the Green Deal approaching there is a need for up-skilling the retro-fit
industry.
Low carbon and renewable energy technologies need to be marketed to
the average client.

13. Summary Barriers and Limitations
• Little previous research to explore the
needs of SMEs in the sector (no literature)
• Hard to engage SMEs
• Professional bodies/networks limiting
access to SMEs by “outsiders”.
• Concerns about sharing commercial
information from SMEs – “I prefer not to
say”

14. Positives
• Positive support from academics,
professionals, Government bodies
• Interest from many different sectors –
academics.
• Engagement with key figures working in
the field.

15. Each of the speakers represents a factor
identified in the research, which aims both to
uncover the barriers to the growth of these
companies and to provide a training solution.
Robin Nicholson is an architect and has
worked closely with Government and policy
makers heading Think Tanks about
sustainable buildings and urban
infrastructure. He will be exploring the
barriers to business growth from an urban
and policy perspective.
Russell Smith will be telling his story about
setting up his own award winning company in
this field and why he had to take the
approach he did to meet the needs of
householders.
Terry McGiven will be talking about
innovative training opportunities he has set
up with European Commission funds for
companies in London at the Institute for
Sustainability
John Davis a highly inspirational speaker
will be talking about the Green Deal.

16. Technical developments
Mandy Kings’ Presentation

17. Transferability
• Links to the Institute for Sustainability
FLASH programme and other new
initiatives.

18. Sustainability
• Link with the Midlands Energy Graduate
School.