Undergraduates from the Isle of Man are being encouraged to apply for the 2018 STEP Programme.
The STEP Programme is run by the Department for Enterprise (DfE) and places undergraduates with small and medium sized organisations for eight weeks during their summer break where they undertake specific projects relating to the business.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for Enterprise commented:
‘We have received fantastic feedback from students over the years and would like to thank local organisations for supporting the programme which has enabled students to undertake useful and relevant projects for the host businesses. The STEP Programme has proven to be an invaluable opportunity for students to gain work based experience before they embark on their careers post-graduation.’
At the end of their placement the students attend an event to showcase the results of their projects while competing for the prestigious title of Most Enterprising Student – along with a host of other awards and prizes.
The 2017 STEP Programme saw a record 45 students complete a range of projects including creative, manufacturing, marketing and quality assurance. The 2017 award for Most Enterprising Student went to Jak Morris who completed a research project for Strix Ltd to calculate the amount of silver used within different control products and recommend improvements.
Local second or penultimate year students, who are undertaking a full time degree at a University or College in the UK or the Isle of Man and are keen to obtain some valuable workplace skills are encouraged to consider enrolling in the Programme.
Benefits of the Programme include a tax and NI free training allowance of £240 per week, workplace experience, personal development, a great enhancement to a CV, the chance to work on a genuine organisational project, and in some cases, the possibility of a permanent job offer post-graduation.
Application forms are available through the Department for Enterprise website.
For further information please contact a member of the STEP administration team on 01624 682383.
