Member Article

Time running out for North East businesses to get in Step

Businesses in the North East are being urged to take advantage of Shell Step’s summer placement scheme, which places university students into small and medium-sized firms all around the UK. Last year over 80 businesses in the North East took part in the Shell Step programme and 96% said it had a positive impact on the future of their business. More than two thirds of businesses involved enjoyed a boost to their profits of at least £1,500 during the placement period alone.

James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, said: “UK undergraduates are an untapped pool of skills, knowledge and enthusiasm, which can be highly valuable to small and medium-sized businesses. For students the scheme offers hands-on work experience that textbooks can’t provide. By matching students’ skills and ambitions with companies’ goals and needs, Shell Step delivers tangible benefits to all involved. I’d urge both students and businesses to consider the significant benefits they could realise from the scheme.”

Now in its 21st year, Shell Step aims to provide a boost for the small business sector by raising its appeal among university leavers. Three quarters of students (75%) who took part in the scheme last year said they were more likely to work for a small or medium-sized firm in future.

To find out how to get involved in the scheme students and businesses can visit www.shellstep.org.uk or contact Lisa Blackie at Entrust on 0191 2444000 or email l.blackie@entrust.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .