STEP (Shell Technology Enterprise Programme) is a dynamic work
experience programme, which places ambitious undergraduates
in small to medium sized businesses across the country. The
scheme aims to provide undergraduates with invaluable experience
and also enables businesses to directly benefit from the recruitment
of bright, intelligent and talented individuals. In conjunction
with their placements, the students enter a nationwide competition
where an overall winner is named the UK’s Most Enterprising
Student.
This year the STEP final for Surrey, Berkshire and Wiltshire
was a hotly contested affair, with 15 enterprising undergraduates
having completed a diverse range of projects over the summer.
“2004 has clearly been a great year for STEP,”
explains Sandy Wilson, Chief Executive at 
Consulting Ltd and judge on the day. “We are all
very impressed with the students’ achievements. It’s
really quite overwhelming when you consider how much of an
impact they have had on businesses in the area.”
After eight weeks of hard work, the local final was held
at Reading University on 26 August. Over the past 18 years
the STEP programme has gone from strength to strength, co-ordinating
an ever-increasing number of successful projects. This year
was no exception and the guest judges Sandy Wilson and Steve
Huntridge had a difficult task on their hands. As the day
drew to a close, however, two winners were announced. The
prize for Surrey was awarded to University of Nottingham student
David Oakes and Manprit Gill from Aston University was the
winner for Berkshire and Wiltshire.
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| Steve Huntridge, Manprit Gill, David Oakes,
Sandy Wilson |
“It feels great,” explained David who
was delighted with the result. “I think everyone
did really well. I’m surprised to have won!”
“As soon as I found out about STEP I knew that
I couldn’t miss out on such a great opportunity,”
adds Manprit. “Winning it is a great surprise!”
Both David and Manprit undertook challenging projects that
have brought enormous benefits to their host companies. “It’s
incredible to have had such an impact on a business,”
explains Manprit, who played a crucial role in launching the
web site www.disabledaccessories.com
(designed to make purchasing specialist supplies easier and
cheaper for the disabled) as an e-commerce business. “Students
won’t find this kind of experience anywhere else and
it definitely can’t be taught in a lecture theatre.”
David undertook his placement with RadiusOnline,
helping the company to establish itself internationally, maintaining
its web sites and devising proposals for using the company’s
technology in different industries. “For me it was
like having a job and being on work experience at the same
time,” he explains. “You really get the
best of both worlds and by working for a small business rather
than a large corporation you’re able to see the whole
picture and not just one aspect of it.”
STEP aims to enlighten small business managers to the huge
impact that an undergraduate can have on their business. Since
the programme was launched in 1986, STEP has delivered in
excess of 20,000 projects throughout the UK. For more information
and to find out how a STEP student could benefit your business
visit www.step.org.uk
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