STEP Scheme

The Students

STEP Scheme Every year, STEP recruits the UK’s brightest and most enterprising undergraduates and matches them with the specific needs of small organisations to undertake a skill-centric project to improve the business. This is an invaluable and exciting opportunity open to all final and penultimate year undergraduates that could make a real difference to your future career prospects.

Taking part in the programme offers you many benefits including;

The chance to apply the theory you have learnt on your degree course with the chance to learn new workplace skills
The scheme is an excellent addition to your CV as it is widely recognised that students who are participate in the scheme are more likely to obtain work once they graduate
£210 per week for 8 – 12 weeks and the possibility of reasonable travel expenses

The scheme begins recruiting new students in January each year so if you are interested in enrolling on the scheme, please complete an application form below and return to: STEP, Department of Economic Development, Business Development Agency, 1st Floor, St Georges Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EX.

The Organisations

STEP most enterprising award 2012 If you would like your organisation to benefit from a STEP student summer project and you can take an issue facing your organisation and turn it into a definable and structured project, then we would like to hear from you.

From all the Manx undergraduates who have registered, STEP will select the most suitable candidate with the profile you need to undertake the project, which you have identified. Projects typically take place over eight weeks in the summer (July & August), but can be shortened or extended to meet project demands, if required.

What projects can be undertaken?

There are virtually no restrictions on the type of project an organisation can choose, but examples include:

Setting up IT and/or accountancy systems
Design and implementation of websites
Marketing plans
Setting up of systems e.g. ISO 9000, ISO 14001, IIP, H &S etc.
Design of company literature
Analysis of production methods
Environmental audits and follow-up work
Design of new product concepts

...and more.

Which organisations can take part?

STEP best presentation award 2012 All organisations can experience the benefits of a STEP student.

In order for a STEP project to be successful it is also necessary to have:

a set project for an undergraduate to undertake;
a suitable place for the student to work;
appropriate supervisory and management arrangements.

Access to Knowledge

STEP is designed to help small organisations to develop by kick-starting and managing a project that can be achieved within a realistic timescale and at an affordable price.

Individual interviews are arranged to help you to select the student you want to undertake your project.
Contracts, which include Health and Safety issues, are then issued for acceptance by both the organisation and the student.
Immediately before starting, or at the start of the project, your STEP student will attend a pre-project induction day provided by your STEP Agency to prepare them for his/her project.
The local STEP Agency will invoice you for the training allowance and then pay your student weekly.
A review session provided by the STEP Agency is carried out midway through the project when all local students are provided with any additional support needed to complete their project.
At the end of the project, students produce reports of their work and present their achievements to a panel of judges. The winner of the local competition and the host organisation will be invited to attend the high profile Regional and, possibly, National STEP finals.

How much will it cost?

Students receive a weekly training allowance of £210 per week, which is free of National Insurance and Income Tax contributions. Therefore, the average cost to your organisation for an undergraduate working full-time on an eight-week project will be £1,680+VAT.

What happens next?

Once you have applied,

you will be contacted by your local STEP agency, which will discuss your business needs in more detail before agreeing on a feasible project to be undertaken by a STEP student.
STEP will then match your requirements and the range of skills and expertise available within the database of registered students.

How to Apply

If you are a student and wish to apply please complete an application form below and return to: STEP, Department of Economic Development, Business Development Agency, 1st Floor, St Georges Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EX.

If you are an interested organisation or for further information please contact a member of the STEP Administration Team at the Department of Economic Development by e-mail stepscheme@gov.im or telephone 01624 682383.

Downloadable Documents