The Department of Economic Development has begun recruitment for the 2017 STEP Programme. The programme offers local undergraduates in their penultimate year the opportunity to complete an eight week project within local businesses, Government Departments and organisations including the third sector on the Isle of Man.
Sponsored by Standard Bank (Isle of Man) Limited, the 2016 STEP Programme saw 29 students complete a range of projects across a number of the Island’s sectors including creative, manufacturing, marketing and quality assurance.
MHK Laurence Skelly, Minister for the Department of Economic Development commented:
‘The STEP Programme has offered many students invaluable experience over the last decade. Nurturing the Island’s home grown talent with schemes such as this is hugely important for encouraging the local workforce of the future to develop their skillset. The support from Isle of Man based businesses has enabled these undergraduates to gain relevant and essential experience, preparing them for full time employment within the workplace on graduating.’
At the end of the eight week projects, all STEP students are invited to showcase their results and findings with awards presented to the ‘Most Enterprising Student’, and also for the best presentation on the day. The 2016 Award for Most Enterprising Student went to Niamh Matthews, whose project explored the provenance, marketing and branding of Isle of Man produce.
Local students (studying on Island and in the UK) are invited to apply for the 2017 STEP Programme. Students who participate in the programme benefit from tax and National Insurance-free training allowance of ?210 per week for the work placement experience.
Applications for the STEP Programme close on Friday 17th March 2017. For more information about the scheme please contact a member of the STEP administration team on stepscheme.ded@gov.im or call 01624 682383.
Photo - Laurence Skelly (Department of Economic Development Minister) and the 2016 STEP Winners, taken at the 2016 STEP Final Awards in August.
