Utilisation of science and technology graduates by the small and medium‐sized enterprise sector

States it is widely recognised that, despite excellent higher education research and training expertise, the UK is generally weak in transferring this knowledge into marketable products (House of Lords, 1997). In particular, there is serious under‐utilisation of science and technology graduates by the increasingly important small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. The aim of this paper is to explore the potential for absorbing the “know‐how” of science and technology graduates into the SME sector. Special consideration will be given to the attitudes of these graduates towards SME employment, while business start‐ups as alternative career options are also explored. The data are derived from a survey of 250 Manchester‐based science and technology students. The paper concludes with relevant policy recommendations.