Manx students are being offered a helping hand by businesses.

The Department for Enterprise has opened applications for its 2019 STEP Programme.

The programme offers undergraduates in their second or penultimate year the opportunity to complete an eight-week project with local businesses, Government and third sector organisations in the island.

STEP matches organisations with undergraduates for paid projects.

The programme is for full time degree students studying at a university or college in the UK or Isle of Man.

It provides experience to undergraduates seeking project-based placements on-island, while helping local businesses improve and complete projects during the summer period.

Benefits include a tax= and NI=free training allowance of £240 per week, workplace experience, personal development, good material for a CV, the chance to work on a genuine organisational project, and in some cases, the possibility of a permanent job offer post-graduation.

Laurence Skelly MHK, the Minister for Enterprise, said: ’In 20 years, the programme has overseen 500 student placements across the island.

’The department hopes to build on this continued success and is calling on all local second or penultimate year students who are looking to obtain valuable workplace skills, to consider enrolling in the programme.

’Nurturing the island’s home-grown talent with programmes such as this is hugely important for encouraging the local workforce of the future to develop their skillset.

’The support from Isle of Man-based organisations has enabled these undergraduates to gain relevant and essential experience, preparing them for full time employment within the workplace on graduating. The department would like to thank First Names Group for its continued support of the STEP Programme.’

The 2018 STEP Programme saw 35 students complete a range of projects including creative, manufacturing, marketing and quality assurance.

The 2018 award for Most Enterprising Student went to Breesha Foxton, who completed a research project for Onchan Commissioners to assess the safety and maintenance requirements of street lighting in the district.

Breesha was consequently offered the opportunity of future work with Onchan Commissioners.

To apply for the STEP Programme visit https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/step

The closing date for applications is April 12.

For further information contact a member of the STEP administration team on [email protected] or 682383.

The STEP programme is sponsored by First Names Group.

The acronym is historic. It used to stand for Shell Technology Enterprise Programme.

Its organisers liked the initials so much they kept them after Shell stopped sponsoring it.