THE winners of 2012 Step Scheme have been announced.
Co-ordinated by local businessman, Ian Moncrief-Scott, this year has seen the largest single group of Step students and organisation projects to date with 32 placements secured.
The winner of the ‘Most Enterprising Student’ award went to Kevin Burridge, who designed a rice steamer for Strix. The runner up in this category was Joanne Durber, who worked with Quinn Legal on a website design.
The ‘best presentation’ was by Kate Holland, who has been working with Ramsey Cottage Hospital on their website. The runner up in this category was Tom Bateson, whose placement was with the Department of Health training services division.
Matthew Cooper was commended by the judges for his research project with the Communications Commission and Callum Taggart was also commended for his health and safety project with Swagelok.
Step co-ordinator Ian Moncrief Scott said: ‘Helen Cowley and Maree Bashforth, both experienced judges, have asked me to stress just how difficult it was this year to select the award winners due to some exceptional students and the challenges of projects involved.’
‘Each year has seen a steady rise in the calibre of students taking part in the programme and, in particular, I have noticed increasingly high standards of reports and presentations. I would also like add my thanks to the host organisations for their valuable support and commitment to Step.’
Nick Gibbs, of Strix, said: ‘We were once again pleased to support the Step scheme this year.
‘Kevin Burridge, the student allocated to work with us, completed a project to investigate the use of our recently developed steamer technology in to the rice steaming market, which is a new market for us.
‘We are grateful for Kevin’s efforts and plan to continue his work with further taste testing by staff in our Asian offices, where the product might eventually be launched.’
The Department of Health had four Step students on placements over the eight-week academic summer break. They were all engaged on specific projects demonstrating and expanding their research, analysis and reporting skills.
Kate Holland impressed the two independent judges, Helen Cowley and Maree Ashworth, with her knowledge and understanding of the role the internet can play in the access and provision of healthcare services.
Kate delivered a strong, clear five-minute presentation of her project evaluating and providing research based proposals for updating the current website, including a video of the services available at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, which she filmed and edited with her own equipment and software. The video is available here: www.gov.im/health/services/hospitals/ramsey
Improving access to health services is a key component of the department’s strategy for the future of health services. The department’s website now provides the foundation for the e-business programme, which will deliver appropriate high quality public services in an online environment, wherever and whenever this best suits individual needs.
Sophie Miller, who enjoyed her placement at Noble’s Hospital, was assigned a similar project to evaluate the current website and provide research based proposals for updating. The web projects completed by Kate and Sophie, will enhance the current service provision, but most importantly, will provide a true public perception about how online services and support can be further developed.
Tom Bateson, working with the ‘learning team’ at Keyll Darree, designed and developed a database for the 38 mandatory training courses delivered by the learning team. This will allow managers to monitor training needs and compliance with the key performance indicator in their area.
Not only is the database to be piloted for three months in four different areas of the department, but Tom also created a training video and manual.
The way he presented his work on this project to the Step judges won him the runner-up award for ‘best presentation’.
Natalie Coleman teamed up with the salaried primary care dental service, to produce a working system for the maintenance of patients’ paper records including an archive database, which has been adopted and allows the staff quick and easy access to patient details as soon as they contact the service.
Comments