SMALL and medium-sized businesses have less than a month to apply to take part in the Shell Step scheme, which matchmakes them with bright young students on summer work placements.

Last year, 48 per cent of Step students added more than £5,000- worth of value to their host business, while 17 per cent have added more than £30,000.

This year’s pool of talent includes graduates and undergraduates from a wide range of backgrounds including marketing, product design, engineering, business studies and IT. Placements are individually tailored to the businesses’ needs and students’ skill and career ambitions to bring tangible benefits to both parties.

The deadline for applications is July 6, and further details are available at shellstep.org.uk