Have you thought about taking on a Shell Step undergraduate to help you with a challenging project?

Shell Step is looking for small and medium sized businesses to take part in the 2009 programme.

Shell Step places talented undergraduates in small and medium sized enterprises, community and social enterprises (typically less than 250 employees) for eight weeks over the summer, to undertake specific projects driven by the needs of the host company - giving you fast and affordable access to knowledge which will impact positively on the performance of your business.

The unique and highly successful programme gives businesses a chance to focus on any variety of tasks that they previously have not been able to find the time or resources to complete. Using highly motivated undergraduates to work with them, companies can save themselves valuable time and money, whilst getting a fresh and unique perspective to those problematic or specialist projects.

There are no real restrictions to the type of project that a student can be set. Projects can range between setting up IT systems, design and implementation of websites, analysis of production methods to the designing of company literature and the formulation of marketing plans.

The benefits the programme brings to businesses speak for themselves. One success story from 2008 is Thomas Slide who was studying Modern History and Politics at Southampton University, took part in the Shell Step undergraduate placement programme. Working at Owls Hall Farm Environmental, based at Blackmore End in Braintree, Thomas spent 8 weeks developing comprehensive mapping procedures for all areas of the business. His key objectives were to highlight possible areas for streamlining and to promote greater collaboration between members of staff.

Craig Finbow, Managing Director of Owls Hall Environmental Ltd said: “This is the fourth year Owls Hall Environmental Ltd have taken part in the programme and once again we are delighted with the results. Thomas has been an asset to our organisation and achieved volumes in the time he has been with us. We will most definitely continue to work with him in the future and we look forward to taking part in the Shell Step programme next year”

A Shell Step placement student is paid a training allowance of £210 per week. Every undergraduate will have completed 2 years of a typical 3-year degree course at a UK university. The cost to companies is £1,955 plus VAT.

If you would like to contact your local agent to discuss the real business benefits and surprisingly low costs involved, or anything else related to Shell Step, please contact Glynis Argue.

Website: www.shellstep.org.uk

Tel No: 01268 591436 or 07811 195282

Email: glynis.argue@exdra.co.uk