Tom Garwood, 20, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield, beat eleven other students in the region, to claim the Midlands title.

He is now one of 12 students, out of an original 4,000 students, who will be competing at the national Shell STEP finals on 21 October 2008.

Shell STEP is a national organisation which places second and penultimate year undergraduates within small and medium sized companies to deliver business projects and gain valuable work experience. In the Midlands region it is hosted by the Enterprise Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. The awards recognise the achievement and celebrate the success of students who have been completing projects for an organisation.

In July, Tom was assigned to Sheffield-based Daver Steels, a company which provides Steel fabrications to the construction industry. His placement lasted for eight weeks, but he was asked to continue for another three weeks, before he left to start his third year in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University.

Tom's achievements include introducing new quality standards that have increased sales potential and positioned the company to meet legislation. He also improved the control of processes and provided a better understanding of the company's position.

Daver Steels is now six months ahead of its competitors in being able to apply for the new quality mark, it is more productive, and it is on track to increase its profits from £4 million to £6 million during its next trading period. Tom has already been asked if he would like to return to Daver Steels next summer.

Tom has found Shell STEP extremely rewarding and is now looking forward to the national finals. He said:

"The Shell STEP programme was a fantastic experience and I would recommend it to any undergraduate. I learnt so many great skills that I know I will use for the rest of my career. I was thrilled to be given so much responsibility and to see that the project I ran for the company made a huge difference."

Peter Hayes, Director of the Enterprise Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, said:

"We're delighted for Tom in making it to the finals. Shell STEP is an excellent opportunity for companies and students alike. It provides crucial work experience as well as demonstrating how a well placed student can offer companies a very valuable resource, helping them to gain a competitive edge. In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever that universities work hand in hand with companies in the regions and Shell STEP shows just how well that can work."

The winner of the National Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 21.



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