Local businesses step up to success
Small and medium-sized businesses across the West Country are being offered the opportunity to sign up some of the UK’s brightest and most enterprising undergraduates to help kick-start or manage specific business projects throughout the summer months, thanks to the Shell Step scheme.
Shell Step, which is being organised by BRAVE Enterprise in Bristol, North Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, seeks to match the skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of talented undergraduates with businesses who need help with specific issues or projects for which they don’t have the time or resources.
During eight week placements in July and August, students can help with projects such as setting up IT or accountancy systems, designing and implementing websites, researching new products or markets, improving or setting up systems, creating marketing strategies, designing promotional literature or product innovation and development.
The programme aims to help independent businesses ranging from sole traders to those with less than 250 employees, develop their potential by completing important projects within realistic timescales and at an affordable price. At the same time, students enjoy the opportunity of working on stimulating projects which can add to their skills and prepare them for the workplace after graduation.
Last year 95 per cent of the businesses that took part in the scheme said their expectations were met or exceeded and 95 per cent said the work of their student placements would have a positive impact on their future business performance.
Shell Step Co-ordinator Bill Hammill, who is based at BRAVE explains: “Shell Step students have volunteered eight weeks of their time over the summer, during which they can give their full attention to problems or challenges that businesses do not have the time or resources to focus on in-house.
“Talented undergraduates often bring a fresh approach and boundless enthusiasm to projects and can deliver amazing results for host companies, often saving time or money or outlining new business opportunities.”
BRAVE promises support and mentoring throughout the project for both the host business and the undergraduate. “We help match the profiles and skills of students - who are in their second and penultimate years of study - to the needs of the business and provide a shortlist of candidates for interview, run induction days, monitor progress throughout the project and offer help and guidance as required.” says Bill.
“We can even help businesses to identify the issues facing their organisation and translate them into definable and structured projects which can be undertaken by students.”
At the end of the project, students’ achievements are judged in a local competition to find “the most enterprising students” with winners and their host companies going on to compete in the regional finals and ultimately, if successful, in the Shell Step UK final.
Students are paid a weekly training allowance throughout the project, which is free of National Insurance and Income Tax contributions. The average cost of employing an undergraduate full-time on an eight week project will be around £1,750 plus VAT, which is invoiced by BRAVE.
Businesses who would like to register for the Shell Step programme or who would like more information should contact Bill Hammill on 0117 944 5330 or 07708 054473. Or visit the Shell Step website.
Shell Step was created by Shell UK in 1986 and the company continues to support the programme UK-wide.
CASE STUDY
Matt Clarke (pictured), a 21 year-old Modern Languages student, spent last summer, working for Bristol-based Kings Heavy Haulage, helping to design and implement a new quote system. He quickly finished his initial project so took on the challenge of improving relationships with existing clients and designing materials to attract new customers. His work helped to increase sales by over £62,000 compared to the previous year. His efforts were recognised by the local STEP judging panel, who sent him through to the UK final of the scheme's annual search for the 'UK's most Enterprising Student'.