| |
|
|
STEP Competition for the Best Electronic Engineer
2002
Tim Berriman receives his certificate
from Graham Pitcher, editor of the industry wide New Electronics magazine.
Tim Berriman, from St Ives who is studying Mechatronics
at Kings College London, was selected to be one of the top five electronic
engineering students in the country wide National Shell Technology Enterprise
Programme (STEP) competition this year. Tim was recognized for his efforts
at Penryn-based Research Instruments Ltd. The business specialises in
making high precision instruments for medical use. Tim designed a device
that uses In-Situ Programming (ISP) to program an ST7 series microcontroller.
The device enables the user to receive files over the Internet to upgrade
RI's software. RI can also use the tool developed by Tim for the
assembly section of the factory as well as by the company's travelling
engineers.
Tim's project results could mean substantially reduced
travelling costs for support engineers and has facilitated widespread
distribution of software.
The photograph shows Tim receiving his certificate from
Graham Pitcher, editor of the industry wide New Electronics magazine.
The presentation was made at Church House Westminster at the annual prestigious
STEP Awards, hosted by Clive Mather, Chairman of Shell UK, along with
the Minister for Small Business, Nigel Griffiths MP.
In Cornwall the STEP Programme is
supported by the European Social Fund, under the Cornwall Objective One
Programme, and is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses and
community organisations gain access to highly motivated and skilled undergraduates
dedicated to tackle a specific project. The Programme helps small business
growth and competitiveness. For the students, it's a chance to gain
valuable work experience and an opportunity for them to use their
own initiative and put theory into practice. Students often realise, as
a consequence of participating in STEP, the benefits of working within
an SME. More importantly, it addresses skills shortages within certain
industries and could work to encourage young engineers to develop a career
within the electronics sector. It opens their eyes to many more career
opportunities and it makes them more employable upon graduation.
For further press information, photos and case studies
please contact David Clewlow on 01872 260044.
|
Editors notes:
STEP is developed and supported by Shell UK since 1986. It is one
of Shell UK's Social Investment Programmes, which supports
innovative schemes in youth enterprise, education and sustainable
development.
Research has shown that students who have completed
a STEP project more than double their chances of getting a job immediately
after graduation. Stuart Fraser & David Storey of the Centre
for Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises, Warwick University Business
School and Paul Westhead of the Department of Entrepreneurship,
University of Stirling, undertook comparisons between students who
had completed STEP in 1994 and those who had not. The students were
of parallel social and geographical backgrounds and ages, and studied
the same degree subjects. Only 20% of non-STEP students were offered
a job immediately on graduation, compared to 49% of those who had
completed a STEP placement.
STEP's annual exit survey for 2001 shows that
the Programme made a real and measurable impact on the performance
of host companies: 63% profited by more than £2,000, while
20% made in excess of £10,000. 50% said that the project had
contributed to introduction of new technologies in their business,
57% stated that the project had had an immediate impact and 79%
believed that the results of the project would have a long term
impact on the company. Exit survey results from 2002 will be available
beginning of October.
STEP Students undertake a range of projects including:
| |
Creating marketing strategies and
promotional materials |
| |
Developing internal communication systems |
|
Creating websites and e-commerce facilities |
|
Analysing and improving production methods |
|
Researching the feasibility of a new product
or service |
|
Environmental audits and waste minimisation |
|
Designing and creating company literature |
|
Researching export opportunities |
|
Automating accounts procedures |
|
Setting up IT systems |
To be eligible for STEP, students should be studying
full-time at UK higher education institution, and be in their
second or penultimate year of study. Businesses that according to
DTI's definition of a SME, have fewer than 250 employees are
eligible to take part in STEP.
STEP Enterprise Ltd is expanding the opportunities
available to both small businesses and undergraduates by offering,
in addition to summer projects, 9-12 month Industrial Placements
and more flexible term-time projects throughout the year.
In Cornwall STEP is supported by the Objective One
Programme via the European Social Fund under the Business, Enterprise,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Measure. The project is a three
year programme to encourage young people in Cornwall to develop
their creativity skills for the benefit of the whole economy of
Cornwall.
The European Social Fund
(ESF)
The European Social Fund (ESF) is helping develop employment by
promoting employability, the business spirit and equal opportunities
and investing in human resources.
|
Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
|
| jason@dclark.co.uk |
|
