Jan is a Machine Learning Engineer Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate with Lyons Davidson Solicitors and UWE Bristol. A KTP is a UK-wide, 3-way partnership between a business, a university and talented graduate, and aims to help businesses improve competitiveness and productivity, whilst also boosting the career prospects of the Associate.
Based in Bristol, Lyons Davidson is a national law firm providing legal services to businesses and individuals. Innovation has been fundamental to their success, and they have developed their own technology including an online client portal and client document application. Lyons Davidson are a responsible business with certification for the quality of their approach to the impact on the environment, the security of their systems and the investment they make in their people. They strive to deliver a service and outcome that meets their clients’ needs.
This 24-month KTP aims to create a new AI/Machine Learning system, which will predict likely claim settlement value, to help advise customers on compensation offers. Almost a year into the project, UWE KTP team asked Jan about his experience so far.
Jan tells us that he is passionate about AI and Machine Learning, and he utilised these ideas during his studies. He chose to join KTP because he wanted to be part of an innovative project developing automation tools for a highly regarded law firm. He enjoys problem-solving and the intriguing challenges he faces in the job.
Jan commented on the positive aspects within his role. “Firstly, it offers extensive learning opportunities in AI, Data Science, and Data Analytics. The combined influence of academic knowledge and team support, guides me towards effective approaches and methods, while the project itself helps to consolidate, test, and verify my understanding. Secondly, interacting with people who have similar experiences to mine, reminding me that we all make mistakes, which significantly reduces stress.”
When asked about the experience of working as a KTP Associate, Jan stated that “the unique aspect of being an associate lies in simultaneously working for both a company and a university. It’s a special position that allows one to witness and learn from both academic and industry approaches, to problem-solving and find a balanced solution that fits both perspectives.”
Jan also explained his personal challenge as an Associate. “As the leader, I had to trust my ideas and take initiative, rather than waiting for advice from the academic and industry sides. In essence, gaining confidence was the key to overcoming this barrier.”
Lastly, we asked Jan whether he would recommend the KTP Associate role, and he replied that he would strongly recommend it, “KTP demonstrates that everyone starts from a similar place, and the skills you’ve acquired during your studies provide a solid foundation for further professional development.” KTP offers a unique opportunity to gain invaluable industry experience, enhancing skills and employability, and comes with a dedicated training budget, allowing graduates to access additional learning resources and professional development opportunities.
