Employers’ and employees’ attitudes towards training and skill development in SMEs

Abstract

From the beginning I have had the main goal of determining the attitudes and perceptions of employers and employees towards SMEs training in the local scenario. This was also contrasted with past and present EU projects across EU countries. These projects were aimed at different age groups according to their specific needs. The study was carried out primarily on a main sample of 159 employees working within the Gozitan SME framework as well as on two employers, one employer owns a medium-sized enterprise and the other owns a micro-sized enterprise. The research design used quantitative and qualitative research tools starting with a semistructured interview that was conducted with an ETC representative. Then, a preliminary questionnaire was carried out. Subsequently, a revised questionnaire was used with the study’s main sample, that is with the two SMEs employees. A semi-structured interview followed with the respective employers and a shorter interview was conducted with 20 self-employed. This study portrays the slice-of-life examples depicting real people in their actual contexts. They expressed the wish to remain anonymous in order to protect their privacy. The conclusions as to the findings and the relevant recommendations which were reached are based on the analysis of the feedback received through the use of the study’s research tools. Distinct variables emerge which converge to make the sample particular as regards attitudes, perceptions and motivation towards SME training. This sample of the population is also the sum of past educational and work experience and these too are taken into consideration.