A Computer Science student who developed a new online customer ordering system, and an Economics and Management student, whose design project saved a local road haulage company £120,000, have received prestigious STEP Scheme Local Awards in a ceremony hosted by the Research and Enterprise Development Centre at the University of Bristol.
The STEP scheme sends second and penultimate year undergraduate students on eight-week summer project placements in small businesses, aiming to demonstrate to them the major contributions talented students can bring to such organisations.
Seventeen students from local universities took part in the scheme and, last night, presented their projects to a panel of judges consisting of the scheme’s sponsors.
Dan Garland, a Computer Science student from the University of Bristol, won the £250 First Prize for a project in which he developed a new online customer ordering system for Mathias & Sons Ltd, suppliers of work-wear for industry. Dan’s project focused on enhancing the company’s existing online presentation to potential customers, while also evaluating their current ordering systems and developing a new uniform management system able to handle incoming product orders online. Dan will be entered into the regional final taking place in October.
Shelley McKendry, an Economics & Management student also from the University of Bristol, won the £150 Runner-Up Prize for a project in which she planned and implemented new delivery routes for West House Transport Ltd, saving the company £120,000.
Certificates were awarded to all the students who took part in the scheme.
Ros Darby, Business Support Manager from the Research and Enterprise Development Centre said: “The University of Bristol is proud to be associated with this STEP event. The standards of presentations were very high with all students showing energy and enthusiasm. STEP is invaluable in helping students develop the business and interpersonal skills essential for their future careers”.
The event was organised by BRAVE Enterprise Agency and sponsored by HSBC, Business West, Jurys Hotel, KPMG, ShellUK Ltd, Small Business Services and TL Visuals.
STEP (Small Technology Enterprise Programme) is the UK’s leading provider of business and technical projects, linking the wealth of talent in the student population with the small business sector.
STEP began in 1986 as a Shell UK initiative with support from the Durham Business School. The scheme is co-ordinated throughout the UK by a specialist team contracted to Shell UK, and is delivered at a local level by a national network of over 90 agencies. The programme currently places some 1,500 students nationwide with a focus on the advancement of technology and companies who do not traditionally recruit graduates.