Programmes run from July to August and are open to students of any discipline in the penultimate year of their course. The scheme was developed in 1986 by Shell and Durham University Business School and is funded by Shell UK Ltd, the DTI, Training and Enterprise Councils, Local Enterprise Companies, the Training and Employment Agency and Business Links. There are over 100 STEP agencies nationwide and they play a pivotal role, assessing the eligibility of students and recruiting companies. Before placements start, agencies hold an induction day to make students aware of what to expect in a small business environment and give guidance on the necessary skills of report writing and presentation.
Progress is monitored via a mid-way review and discussion session.
The company also completes an evaluation of the placement for inclusion in the student's report. Students receive a minimum training allowance of 100 a week. Jonathan Hayes, for example, studying physics at Bristol University, was placed by Business Link Southern Derbyshire with Bretby Gammatech Ltd to design and build a prototype handheld probe to measure coal quality. This was to be pushed directly into a coal pile, giving quick and easy readings. The instrument John has built will allow us to access other markets.