The Department of Economic Development is seeking undergraduates to participate in the 2014 STEP scheme, which places final and penultimate year undergraduates with local companies to undertake work on skill-centric projects, for eight weeks, during their summer break. Typically, around 30 projects per year are undertaken.

Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK commented:

‘The Department is committed to helping young people reach their potential and help find the right career for them. Participating in the STEP scheme enables undergraduates to apply the learning from their degree course and complement that with new workplace skills which can be valuable when they go on to seek employment.

‘Vision2020 has identified that we will require more skilled workers over the next few years to help drive economic growth so schemes like this are an important way for our local students to start engaging with the world of work.’

Students participating in the programme will receive a tax and National Insurance free training allowance of ?210 per week as well as the opportunity to work on a genuine business project. 

The closing date for student applications is 9th April 2014. Projects from local organisations can be submitted up until early June 2014. Application forms can be found at http://www.gov.im/categories/working-in-the-isle-of-man/step-scheme/.

Any undergraduate or local organisation requiring information on STEP should contact Sam Birchall at the Department of Economic Development by telephone on (01624) 682383 or by email at Sam.Birchall@gov.im.