Undergraduate students have been recognised for their STEP Programme summer projects at this year’s STEP Final Awards.
Run by the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Standard Bank, the Programme is now in its 19th year. This year has seen students signing up to a record number of projects in order to help develop their career opportunities and work experience.
Students presented their work to a panel of judges, hosts and peers before the winners were decided for each of the awards available. The award for Most Enterprising Student 2017 went to Jak Morris for his project on calculating the amount of silver used within different Strix control products, including collating test results and identifying correlations between endurance life and the amount of silver used.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Economic Development, presented the awards and commented:
‘Congratulations to the students of this year’s STEP Programme. I am impressed every year by the volume of effort and potential the students show through their projects and it’s great to hear positive feedback coming back from the Industry hosts. The 2017 STEP awards have showcased the great quality of our upcoming workforce and the continuing support from local industry.’
This year, the STEP Programme saw 45 students undertake projects at 23 organisations from within the public and private sector.
5 other winners were also awarded:
Alfie Leach - Most Enterprising Student Runner-up
Adam Cowin – Best Presentation
Fay Wilcox – Best Presentation Runner-up
Ben Awkal – Judges’ Commendation
Roisin Thornton – Judges’ Commendation
Chris Till, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank Isle of Man, commented:
‘Having sponsored the STEP Programme for 3 years now, we view it as a valuable contribution by the bank to the development of the young people of the Isle of Man and it is great to see the programme grow into what it is today. We are proud to support the STEP project and I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who took part. It is by developing and strengthening links between young people and business that we will attract the next generation of leaders and secure the future of the island. We took part in the programme by providing a placement for a student to undertake a specific project in the bank and their contribution is hugely appreciated.’
Ian Moncrief-Scott, co-ordinator of the STEP Programme on the Isle of Man, added:
‘Thank you to all those involved this year in what has been the biggest STEP Programme so far. It’s great to see that there is still a strong interest from both organisations and students. We hope that next year’s Programme will be even bigger and better!’
To find out more about the STEP Programme, or enquire about becoming a host for the 2018 STEP Programme contact Ian Moncrief-Scott on 01624 664883 or email ims@manx.net.
