Latest news : Shell STEP now open to recent graduates

In a direct response to the challenging economic climate and the impact this is having on the availability of jobs for recent graduates, we are delighted to announce the broadening out of the Shell Step programme to allow recent graduates to take part.

In March, the CBI and Universities UK launched Future Fit, a DIUS-sponsored report highlighting the importance of work experience and we were pleased to see the very positive comments about the programme. Every summer Shell Step places over 600 students into small and medium-sized businesses to undertake constructive work experience of real benefit to the host business.

Until now the programme has targeted only second and penultimate year undergraduates. The widening of eligibility to include recent graduates is our response to the requirements of recent graduates (and their potential future employers) for practical and demonstrable work experience, especially in this challenging economic climate.

We have looked closely at how we might be able to positively influence the current difficult situation for recent graduates and I am delighted that we can put the full weight of our existing programme infrastructure and network of committed local partners right across the UK to addressing this situation. Broadening out the programme is a natural, and we hope welcome step and we look forward to working with Universities and our partners to create as many opportunities as possible for constructive and useful work experience this summer.

The project-focused placements commence at the start of July and usually last between eight and twelve weeks. With a national infrastructure and network of committed local partners right across the UK, the programme is well placed to offer a significant and increasing number of opportunities for graduates in the years to come, alongside the current target of 600 undergraduate placements.

We are delighted to hear that the UK's leading undergraduate placement programme is being broadened out to include recent graduates. We recognise that small businesses are the engine drivers of the UK economy and it is fantastic news that more of them will now be able to tap into the enterprise and initiative of the UK's most talented recent graduates. Heather Collier, Director of the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE)

Programme note:

By recent graduates we mean:

• those that have graduated from a UK university in, or since, 2008; or
• those that are about to graduate from a UK university in 2009.

The programme offer and experience for graduate candidates will be the same as for undergraduates, namely a constructive project based placement in an SME for 8-12 weeks. They will benefit from the same induction, review and mentoring process and be given the same support material. They will attend a local awards day, write a project report and make a presentation just like the undergraduate candidates. And they will receive a Shell STEP programme certificate at the end of their placement, recognising their participation and achievements. For more information visit the Shell STEP  website.

Phil Donnelly, Managing Director, Step Enterprise Limited