Step Up

Step-Up, which was first developed in the North-West of the province, has received international accreditation as a scheme that has, to date, supported almost 400 students from areas where, historically, university enrolment has been low. 

The students are encouraged to take science subjects at a post 16 level before moving on to higher education.

So far, the scheme has helped 96% of its participants move on to University and complete courses in Physiotherapy, Molecular Bioscience and Radiography to name just a few. The 2006/2007 school year is the first time that the scheme has expanded into Belfast and we were keen to stay involved having been a partner in the North West. On Friday 15 September 2006 we welcomed our first batch of students from St Joseph’s College, Belfast to our laboratory and Wastewater Treatment Works at Dunmurry.  As an industry partner we support the students in seeing that science extends far beyond the classroom.

Dr Damian O’Kane, of the University of Ulster who designed the programme said:

‘The success of the programme in the North-West over the past seven years has been outstanding. It has been achieved through the hard work of so many individuals and organisations. It is appropriate that this example of best practice will now migrate to Belfast and provide enhanced opportunities for many more young people.”

As industry partner, our role in Step-Up is to provide hands on, practical experience to the students, allowing them to see for themselves how the lessons they learn in the classroom transfer to the workplace. The students undertake experiments in the lab such as testing water samples for alkalinity to monitor water quality. They are also treated to a tour of the wastewater treatment works to see for themselves exactly what the process entails. Our Scientific Officers remain on hand for the students to contact if they have any questions.