ENTERPRISING university students have been taking a step up the career ladder during their summer break.

Twelve students spent eight weeks working for companies across Herefordshire and Worcestershire as part of the Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP).

They were rewarded for their efforts with certificates last week at the STEP Awards, held at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce in Worcester.

Overall winner in the two counties was Neil Baldwin, from Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, who is studying business economics at Durham University.

Mr Baldwin's project was to investigate, review and document all current business processes within the customer operation section of Worcester-based energy supplier Bizz Energy.

Director of marketing at the Warndon-based firm, Sussanne Chambers, said Mr Baldwin had been "absolutely amazing".

"He worked equally well without supervision - which is unusual for one so young - and he had an incredibly strong work ethic which meant he just got on with the job. The quality of work he produced was absolutely superb," she added.

Mr Baldwin, who has been offered a job with Bizz Energy when he graduates next year, said he had really enjoyed his "invaluable" experience at the company.

"Bizz Energy has a flat management structure that empowers everybody to be creative and innovative," said the 20-year-old.

Second-prize winner in the STEP Awards was Samantha Marston-Paterson, of Moreton on Lugg, near Hereford.

Miss Marston-Paterson's project, at Solutions, in Ross-on-Wye, was to create a database of key contacts in social services departments within particular catchment areas.

Third prize, went to Alice Dunton, from Longhope, in Gloucestershire, who also worked at Solutions in Ross-on-Wye. Miss Dunton's project was to implement an IT project to provide a 'bespoke' e-mail system.

STEP co-ordinator at the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Helun Sandifort, said the work experience gained by the students would serve them well in the work force.

"It's often difficult for students to get a job after leaving university when they don't have work experience," she said.

"The STEP participants will leave the programme being able to demonstrate to employers that they have the skills and experience required by the post-academic world."

"The companies involved have benefited from having a student tackle a project that may otherwise have had to wait until resources were available," she said.

"A student often brings a fresh approach to the company and can work solely on the set project for eight weeks."

Other students who entered the STEP awards were Chris Ford, Natalie Whistance, Cathryn Franklin, Helen Bray, Kelly Locke, Kevin Mutton, Luke Stratton, Paul Umpelby and Simon Dukes.