A SCHEME matching graduates with firms needing help for major projects has paid off for two IT workers.

Former graduates Deborah Matthews and Andrew Hughes have joined housing providers Coast and County and Fabrick after being supported by Teesside University.

The university delivers knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP), which are part-funded by the Government and place workers into roles to cover specific needs.

Ms Matthews, a computer studies graduate, joined Coast and Country, based near Redcar, to work on an IT project through KTP before applying for a full-time role, with Mr Hughes now working for Middlesbrough-based Fabrick Housing Group.

She said: “I joined Coast and Country to help them with some major IT changes, including the introduction of service desks and single points of contact.

“But my role changed and developed throughout the year, and when a job came up, I was successful in getting it.

“Andrew joined us to take over the KTP project, supervised by myself, which moved into the field of document management systems and data protection.”

Mr Hughes said: “One of the huge benefits of KTP is that it’s for the mutual benefit of the company and the person taking part.

“It’s a great way to work with a company while receiving extra training and valuable further support from a university.”

Geoff Archer, Teesside University’s knowledge transfer and commercialisation manager, added: “We’re delighted when we hear about successes such as Deborah and Andrew.”