The Department of Economic Development is encouraging Isle of Man based organisations to join the 2017 STEP programme. The programme offers local students the opportunity to undertake a work-based project within local organisations across the summer holidays.
Sponsored by Standard Bank, the STEP project has seen 260 work-based projects undertaken across 10 years.
Lawrie Hooper MHK, Department member with responsibility for the STEP project commented:
‘The STEP Programme has proven to be hugely successful for both the business and students over the past decade. The experience gained from this project is invaluable to undergraduates looking to put their studies into practice and it has also proved extremely helpful for local businesses who have benefited from the help and results of the projects carried out.’
Previous work-placements have included positions within a variety of local businesses and government departments with past projects including creative, manufacturing, marketing and quality assurance. The 2016 Award for Most Enterprising Student went to Niamh Matthews, whose project explored the provenance, marketing and branding of Isle of Man produce. Niamh’s logo design has also recently been used for the creation of an Isle of Man Provenance label.
Chris Till, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank, added:
‘We are proud to once again be sponsoring the STEP Programme for 2017. Our involvement over the past few years has been hugely beneficial to both Standard Bank and the undergraduates who have taken part, and I’m sure other organisations involved in the Programme would agree that the students bring much more than just their hard work and enthusiasm to the company throughout the summer holidays.’
Ian Felmeri, Engineering Manager at DLP Limited which hosted a student project in 2016, commented:
‘The STEP scheme provides great benefits for both parties, the student gains useful experience in a working environment and the employer gets valuable work done on a project of their choosing with defined deliverables.’
Local businessman, Ian Moncrief-Scott, will be coordinating this year’s placement, following his involvement in the Programme for a number of years.
Applications to become a host business for 2017 close on 30 June 2017 and student applications for the scheme close on 7 April 17. For further enquiries about becoming a host business for the STEP Programme contact Ian Moncrief-Scott on 664883 or email ims@manx.net
