The Shell technology enterprise programme: student outcomes

Assesses the contribution of the 1994 Shell technology enterprise programme (STEP) which subsidised the employment of students in SMEs in the UK. A key issue is whether STEP students participating in the 1994 programme reported significantly superior benefits to those of students that never participated in the programme (i.e. non-STEP students). Outcomes associated with the programme were assessed over a 36-month period between 1994 and 1997. The programme had no statistically significant impact on the ability of students to obtain full-time employment positions. Similarly, the programme was not found to be statistically significantly associated with the ability of graduates to obtain full-time jobs in small firms. However, STEP students expressed a statistically significantly more "positive" attitude than non-STEP students towards self-employment or starting their own business. Conclusions and implications for policy makers and practitioners are detailed.