STEP Students Mid Term Review

Thirty students from across Scotland are taking part in the Grampian Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) this summer, helping a variety of SMEs across the north east to explore new ideas, develop internal systems and research different markets. STEP is a business support service that helps small businesses gain access to highly motivated and skilled undergraduates, who are dedicated to tackling specific projects over an eight week period. Sponsored by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, Shell and Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise).

Students taking part in the STEP 2005 Programme were involved in a mid-term review, held at the end of July, where they were asked to present an overview of the work they have been involved in, to an audience.

Katy Sutherland, who along with her colleague Jilly Cole is project managing the STEP programme in Grampian again this year, comments, "This year’s project themes are focussed around web design, marketing and ISO 9001, with many of the students playing an instrumental role in assisting their host companies to explore these areas. The results that the students have presented so far have been to an exceptionally high standard and the host companies have responded well to their students efforts. We have seen a variety of SMEs in Grampian get involved in the STEP programme this year, with a number of companies who participated last year determined to host another student this year, as they were so impressed with the work that was carried out for them previously."

Kieran Hall, company director of local IT support company, Aberdeen Business Computing was involved in the STEP programme whilst at university and felt that the programme was instrumental in his desire to start up his own company. 

Kieran says, "I found the STEP programme to be very valuable, it helped greatly with my career development, providing my first opportunity to provide technical support and advice to a local SME. My involvement in starting and running Aberdeen Business Computing is very much a result of the experience that the STEP programme provided.  My own understanding of the programme encouraged me to take on a STEP placement student, as I know that it is worthwhile scheme that is professionally implemented and provides the opportunity to bring innovative and fresh ideas into SMEs."

One of the students involved in the programme has already demonstrated enterprising talents, Marina Brown, an undergraduate studying at Gray’s School of Art runs a handmade cosmetics business as a sideline.

Marina of Dyce, Aberdeen has been placed at Haptogen Ltd, an Aberdeen-based biotechnology company, where she is upgrading the company’s website into a network of sites. Marina says, "As part of my project I have been working closely with the web team at Aberdeen University. I have learned a great deal from them resulting in a greater understanding of the technical aspects of web design, including how to overcome accessibility issues and ensuring that the end product is visually and aesthetically appealing. The skills and knowledge I have gained so far will be very beneficial to me. My art degree involves a lot of design and because I have a greater understanding of the technicalities behind web design, when I am back at art school I will be able to focus more on the look and accessibility of the web design without having to focus all my efforts on learning how to go about the technical aspects of creating a site."

Marina plans to put her new skills into practice for the cosmetics business she runs with nutritionist friend Mary Reid, by upgrading the company website. Marina continues, "We have a website at present but for people to purchase our products, they have to print out a form, fill it in and send it to us. Using the knowledge I have gained from my STEP placement I intend to create a new website to allow people to purchase the products online, with minimum hassle. So, the skills I have gained so far will not only benefit me on my return to university, but it will also assist in the development and progression of our business."

The STEP initiative has been running for the past 19 years, with over fifteen thousand projects being delivered throughout the UK. STEP runs throughout the UK and receives support from various bodies including the business support organisation, Enterprise North East Trust, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire council.

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