The STEP Isle of Man 2011 Final took place recently in a packed lecture theatre at the Isle of Man International Business School, setting the scene for sixteen of this year’s twenty three enthusiastic undergraduates to make live and video presentations. Colin Kniveton, Chief Executive Officer, Department of Economic Development welcomed the guests and in his opening speech said: ‘The Department of Economic Development is proud to have been running the STEP programme on the Island since 1999 during which time it has gone from strength to strength. Over the years the projects completed by our students have made positive and significant differences to the organisations concerned, including significant financial benefits. ‘As a direct result of the STEP project, participating companies reported an estimated benefit to the Manx economy of over one hundred thousand pounds in 2010 and over three hundred and forty thousand pounds of increased revenue in 2009. I’m sure you will agree that these figures are impressive and illustrate just how successful and valuable STEP is, not just to the students and host organisations, but also to the Manx economy.’ Experienced judges, Helen Cowley of Paradigm Consultants and Maree Bashforth of Renewable Energy Holdings, who have judged the competition for several years, struggled to identify clear winners of each award. They remarked that this was a most difficult year for them to reach decisions because of the increasingly high standards of both the reports and the presentations. Madam President Hon. Clare Christian MLC announced the winners and presented awards, prizes and certificates. The Judges’ Commendation went to Amelia Lang, studying at the University of Salford, for her stunning Commonwealth Youth Games project for Bridson & Horrox Limited. Mrs Christian said: ‘The STEP programme is a very popular scheme that provides benefits for both students and employers. All the students who have participated in this year’s competition have excelled and the benefits they have delivered to their host companies have been remarkable.’ Best Presentation was awarded to Alexander Nicholson for his e-gaming research project at Celton Manx Limited. History undergraduate, James Sherlock, based at the General Registry, won Best Presentation Runner-Up for his records management project. The top award of Most Enterprising Student Isle of Man 2011 was gained by Gemma Rodger, for her outstanding historic buildings project at the Department of Infrastructure. Finally, Laura Gardner, a geography undergraduate at St Andrews University, scooped the Most Enterprising Student Isle of Man 2011 Runner-Up prize for her energy efficiency project at Colas Holdings. Minister for Economic Development Allan Bell said: ‘I would like to congratulate all the undergraduates who took part in the STEP programme this year on their great efforts and look forward to celebrating further successes with students in the forthcoming year.’ STEP Isle of Man 2011 was coordinated on behalf of the Department of Economic Development by Ian Moncrief-Scott and officially sponsored by Celton Manx Limited. For further information about the scheme please contact Natasha Whittaker, Development Executive, Department of Economic Development on 01624 682383 or email her at Natasha.Whittaker@gov.im. Ends