Students help businesses to 'Step' up the pace. �Wenta, in its capacity as the Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire agent for Shell Step, last week held the local area awards for participants. Out of students representing 19 host companies, 16 were competing for the title of ‘Most Enterprising Student’. The event took place at the University of Hertfordshire’s Hatfield campus and was sponsored by both the University and Bedfordshire County Council. Both the winner and runner-up go on to battle for the title within the Eastern Region and if successful, will progress to the National Finals in London.

Shell Step is a national scheme that every year places hundreds of highly motivated students with small and medium-sized firms throughout the UK to undertake business projects during their summer breaks. The programme gives businesses the opportunity to add significant value to their bottom line. In 2007 a quarter of students added more than �15,000 worth of value to their host company’s business, while two thirds added at least �5,000. Projects are tailored to companies’ specific needs, so can help small businesses to plug their skills gaps.

For the university students that participate the programme offers them the opportunity to experience the 'real world' outside of their studies. This year's students came from a diverse range of further education courses, ranging from Accounting, Economics and Maths to Graphic Design Computer science and Design and Illustration. At the end of their projects they were each assessed by an independent panel of judges, and were rated on a number of criteria including a written report, a verbal presentation and an appraisal from their employer. Special emphasis is given within the Shell Step programme to personal development and to the advancement of technology within the workplace. Six organisations across Bedfordshire took advantage of this invaluable scheme placing ten students. Projects varied considerably from marketing and database development to human resources and website development.

The eventual winner of the ‘Most Enterprising Student’ was Rosalind Mortimore, whose project required her to undertake research and develop a new information database for Bedford based business Verifile. Located at the Bedford i-Lab Verifile is the UK’s leading provider of CV verification and background screening services. The project involved research relating to combating fraud globally. Commenting on his student, Eyal Ben Cohen, Managing Director said “I am extremely impressed with Rosalind and her achievements. Many have doubted whether this project would ever fly and if we really needed to spend time and money on it. Rosalind has proved to everyone that it was worthwhile and the database she has created is priceless for our company. Once launched I have no doubt it will prove itself.”

Runner-up was Hannah James, working for Luton based Elster Metering Ltd. Her environmental research project was such a success that the company is currently considering sponsoring Hannah to carry out a Phd on completion of her final year at University. Both Rosalind and Hannah will now take part in the Regional Finals, held at the end of September in Nottingham.

Peter Cabon, Shell Step Project Manager for Wenta, was delighted with the success of this year’s programme. Commenting on the local finals he said, “The quality of presentations rises every year and this year was better than ever before. From talking to students participating in the programme, they all agreed that taking part in Shell Step had greatly influenced their approach to their future career search. More importantly, it had made them aware of the varying career options available to them within SME’s.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Shell Step scheme should call Wenta on 0845 371 0891.