THE PARADOX OF TRAINING IN THE SMALL BUSINESS SECTOR OF TANZANIA ECONOMY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61538/jipe.v6i1.250Abstract
 From the late 1970s onwards policy-makers, academics and analysts in Tanzania have increasingly focused attention upon the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The potential growth of this sector has progressively came to be seen as the solution to Tanzania‟s 'relative' economic decline. By the 1980s, however, it appeared that Tanzania labour force was relatively poorly educated and trained. In order to overcome the retarding effects of the 'Tanzania disease', priority has to be given to raising the level of vocational education and training, both quantitatively and qualitatively.    Skills needs and shortages specific to the small business sector are analyzed from a number of different perspectives, including those of owner/managers, employees and policy-makers. The data obtained from respondents are summarized in. Preliminary results and a discussion of owner/managers' attitudes to, and actual provision of, training are presented in the context of the traditional Tanzania 'training culture'. The author concludes that although owner/manager attitudes to vocational education and training are largely positive, its actual provision fails significantly to keep pace with the perceived needs of small firms. It is argued that Tanzania lacks a coherent training policy and the resulting failure to fund and provide transferable skills training can only deepen the competitive disadvantage faced by small businesses, in both the domestic and international markets. ÂReferences
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