The Department of Economic Development (DED) invites students and organisations to take part in the 2011 Step Scheme. Step is a unique programme which places undergraduate students with small and medium sized organisations to work on specific projects for eight weeks during the summer break. DED has administered Step on the Isle of Man for the last nine years during which time more than a hundred and fifty organisations have benefited from the work of talented undergraduates. Organisations benefit from undergraduates who are able to work with minimal supervision to act as an extra pair of hands or bring forward a project which has been put on hold due to time constraints. Undergraduates are able to conduct research, analyse information, think objectively and report results clearly, as well as, provide physical and practical solutions. Undergraduates gain work experience in an organisational environment on a project that can make a real difference. Gaining workplace skills at an early opportunity can give Step students an edge over their peers in the job market. Enrolment is simple and the benefits are plentiful, including a weekly tax and NI free training allowance, the chance to work on a genuine business project, and in some cases, the possibility of a permanent job offer post-graduation. Students receive ?210 per week which is funded by the participating organisations. Previous Step placements show that host organisations have enjoyed operational improvements substantially greater than the modest sponsorship amount involved. Mrs Clare Christian, Department Member with responsibility for the Step Scheme said: “The Step Scheme provides local organisations the opportunity to secure the commercial benefit of an enthusiastic undergraduate to deliver a project during the summer. The Department has received excellent feedback from 2010 participants with undergraduates delivering valuable contributions to organisational change leading to genuine cost savings and productivity improvements. I am confident that this year will also be successful.” The projects culminate in a local competition where undergraduates present their project to a panel of judges to compete for the prestigious title of ‘Most Enterprising Student’. If you are a local second year or penultimate year undergraduate and would like further information on this exciting opportunity application forms must be submitted by 18th March 2011 and are available through the DED website: www.gov.im/ded/employment/stepscheme.xml. If you are an organisations interested in taking part in the Step Scheme and offering a project please contact the Development Executive on 682383 or stepscheme@gov.im. ENDS