Student placement programmes boost in-house resources

I have been prompted to write to you having read ‘A glimpse of the future’ (Business Insight, DW 11 September). Penetrating overseas markets requires either a lot of effort or a lot of luck – or a combination of both.

For those consultancies that take the first route, but have too little time, too few resources and a shortage of skills, may I flag up the Shell Step Programme as providing a possible solution?

This provides a student for eight weeks to work in any part of your business. You can specify the skills you need, like languages. It is certainly worth tasking a student to progress your overseas ventures, particularly when you may qualify for matched funding.

Trevor Flannery, Sales and marketing director, Storm Brand Design, by e-mail