Training needs of small business

Master of EducationResearch in the area of Small Business has regularly pointed to the high failure rate, especially for those businesses in their early years of operation. These studies frequently recommend the need for more training of the small business owner/manager. If training is to be successful it must address a need which has been observed. To enable the training of the small business owner/manager to be more effective their needs must be ascertained. This study examines a sample of small business owner/managers and their attitudes to and requirements for training. Small business owner/managers were questioned about their present and desired levels of knowledge, skills and attitudes relating to small business management. By making a comparison of the desired levels with present levels the most commonly occurring gaps in owner/managers' knowledge, skills and attitudes were identified. These have been defined as training needs of this group. These needs are further categorised according to the profiles of the owners. From the survey results training needs have been identified and target groups highlighted for improved marketing of courses by the various providers of small business training