Credit Suisse India rolls out Real Returns programme

Credit Suisse, the global financial services company, has launched the sixth edition of its global Real Returns programme in India. This initiative encourages skilled finance, tech and operations professionals on a career break to return to the active workforce.

The programme has witnessed 18 skilled professionals being inducted this year. This is a way for Credit Suisse to provide an opportunity to skilled talent to smoothly transition into the workplace and take their careers forward after a break of at least two years.

India is the Bank’s first location in Asia Pacific to roll out the programme and has successfully enrolled more than 100 professionals. Over 80 per cent of the participants will move into full-time employment with Credit Suisse offices in Mumbai and Pune, post completion of the programme.

The programme includes a 16-week paid assignment that allows candidates to work on projects that match their skills and expertise with a support network of like-minded professionals. On completion of the programme, participants are evaluated and helped into permanent roles within the Bank.

Mickey Doshi, country CEO, India, Credit Suisse, considers career breaks as “a reflection of diverse experiences and circumstances in life” and believes that Credit Suisse, can “only gain from the diversity of our teams, and therefore, diversity & inclusion are a strategic business imperative for us”.

The programme not only helps candidates re-enter the workplace, but also empowers them with the necessary training, mentorship and professional network-building to ready them to take on permanent roles within the Bank.

The programme trains the participants to get back into the ever-evolving financial services industry. It encourages them to develop their technology, presentation and networking skills. The participants are assigned a mentor who supports and guides them in re-establishing their career.

John Burns, head of India technology and senior franchise officer, Pune & Powai, Credit Suisse, added: “Real Returns has consistently provided much-needed support to returners at whatever stage they’re at, transcending their diverse backgrounds, ages and levels of experience and enabling them to bridge learning gaps and harness their true potential.”

The Real Returns programme is also proof that the Bank supports women’s representation and advancement at work. It has consistently led to an increased participation of women with mid-career breaks in the workplace, giving them an opportunity to return to work, while enabling Credit Suisse to capture new talent.

First introduced in the UK and the US in 2014, the Real Returns programme was launched in Switzerland in 2015 and India in 2016. It has positively impacted the careers of over 480 professionals, globally.