For many trainees, the transition to work is particularly difficult and stressful.  Despite preparing and rehearsing through learning programmes, the reality of working life can be daunting, and graduates often find it hard to adjust and settle into a new lifestyle.

Without support, there is evidence that as many as 60% lose confidence in themselves, fall back into unemployment and regress into previous lifestyles. 

Our innovative alumni network 'InTouch' aims to track and support trainees who leave us at the end of their programme, and to provide an ongoing resource to those that need it most. 

InTouch will use high levels of personal contact to coach graduates, provide support and advice and to intervene quickly and effectively as and when potential problems arise. It has its own website information resource and will use SMS (text messaging) technology as an effective way of keeping in touch - most of our graduates have mobile phones.

As well as offering timely support, InTouch gathers intelligence on successes and gives graduates the opportunity to 'give something back', act as role models and provide invaluable experience and encouragement to current trainees. 

We are particularly grateful to Deutsche Bank who, with Cisco Systems, are funding the project for three years.