Training for work in the informal micro-enterprise sector: fresh evidence from sub-Sahara Africa

The concept 'informal micro-enterprises' (IMEs) refers to non-agricultural, self-employment activities and enterprises that: operate on a tiny scale in terms of labour employed and capital invested; use simple labour-intensive technologies that are often out-dated; are based on traditional forms of organisation such as the family; and have weak positions in the markets they operate in. This study examines: how vocational and other skills needed for work are acquired by the owners and workers of IMEs in a number of African countries; their need for enhanced and different skills; and emerging new approaches to transfer skills and knowledge to IME operators. It concludes that 'there is an immediate and crucial need to impart relevant skills to (prospective) informal entrepreneurs and workers' if IMEs are to meet the challenges of globalisation and trade liberalisation and provide employment to hundreds of thousands of new workers each year. This requires both a good understanding of the type of skills and knowledge needed in the sector and the development of training approaches that reflect the segmentation of the sector and build upon the existing training systems. The contents are: Executive summary; Introduction; Informal micro-enterprises in sub-Sahara Africa; Brief overview of education and training in sub-Sahara Africa; Public training providers and the IME sector; Private training providers and the IME sector; NGOs and ISAs and training for the IME sector; Informal apprenticeship training; Summary and conclusions. Show less