Bridging Technical Skills and Enterprise: The Role of Engineering Graduates in Small-Scale Industrial Development

Small-scale industries play a crucial role in promoting economic growth, innovation, and employment generation in developing economies. However, engineering graduates often face challenges in translating their technical expertise into sustainable entrepreneurial ventures, limiting their impact on industrial development. This study investigates how engineering graduates bridge technical skills and enterprise creation, with a focus on small-scale industrial development in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey involving 60 engineering graduates engaged in or aspiring to small-scale ventures was conducted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering demographic profiles, technical skills application, entrepreneurial engagement, and key challenges. Analysis using descriptive statistics and thematic interpretation revealed that early-career graduates (aged 26–30) formed the majority, while moderate female participation highlighted growing inclusivity. Findings indicated that 66% of respondents effectively applied technical skills in enterprise settings, yet only 61% consistently engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Major constraints included limited access to finance (75%), infrastructural deficits (58%), and unfavorable policy environments (52%), which significantly hindered the sustainability and scalability of graduate-led enterprises. Despite these barriers, engineering graduates demonstrated strong innovative capacity and technical competence, underscoring their potential to contribute meaningfully to industrial growth. The study concludes that bridging the gap between technical knowledge and enterprise requires entrepreneurship integration into engineering curricula, improved university industry collaboration, and expanded access to supportive infrastructure and financing. These insights provide practical implications for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders in empowering engineering graduates as job creators and industrial innovators.