THE NATIONAL Shell STEP finals produced a local winner for the second year running. This year Kevin Branch won both the regional round and the final of the Shell Step into The Environment 'most enterprising student of the year'.

Kevin, 21, from Bromborough, represented Business Link's local STEP agency, supported by Cheshire County Council, North and Mid Cheshire TEC and CEWTEC.

Said Kevin: "The opportunity to participate in STEP has been invaluable. It has given me the chance to put everything I have learned so far at Warwick University into practice.

"The experience has also helped me improve my communication skills and given me an insight into what is expected of you in the workplace. I hope it will give me a competitive edge with employers when I begin to apply for jobs."

The STEP scheme places undergraduates with companies for eight week placements during the Summer vacation during which time they complete a designated project for their host.

Kevin assessed ink utilisation and the implication of waste control during his time at a printers in Runcorn, producing impressive savings for the firm.

This is the second year that a student from the local STEP agency has won the national title. Last year's winner, Angela Winnington, of Northwich, was on this year's judging panel.

For further information on STEP, contact Sally Gosmore at Business Link Chester and Ellesmere Port on 348-1163.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.