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Building Skills for Self-Employment: Basic Training for Microentrepreneurs
A strong majority of existing and potential entrepreneurs who approach microenterprise development programs in the United States are looking for information, inspiration, advice and support before loans or other financial services. Some know exactly what they need; others are taking the first step down a long road of exploration and self discovery. Programs rely on training to respond to both extremes and the many points in-between. Zeroing in on what is commonly referred to as "core" training – the course or series of courses that provides an existing or aspiring entrepreneur with the basic knowledge and skills needed to plan, start or expand a business – this document is part of ongoing research by FIELD to understand what makes training effective. It poses the question, "What features of training content and delivery enhance its effectiveness?" To answer this broad question, the document explores multiple, more specific questions such as:
- How do client characteristics influence training design and delivery? How should training be tailored to respond to different client groups? Are there distinct market niches for different training products? How does the institutional mission guide the training response to different markets?
- What skills do microentrepreneurs really use? Which skills make a difference in achieving positive business outcomes?
- What is the best way to teach these skills?
- Should core training also address clients' non-business readiness issues? What is the best way to do so?
- How much training is enough?
- Is there a training approach, incorporating educational philosophy, training methods and trainer demeanor, that enhances effectiveness?
- How can programs strengthen their capacity to deliver effective training?
This module draws answers to these specific questions from a broad
range of microenterprise organizations, clients and professional
trainers. It distills this practitioner experience into relevant
observations and recommendations.
These observations and recommendations should inform both managers
who develop and monitor training, as well as the front-line trainers
who deliver it. Some of the discussion captures state-of-the-practice,
posing clearly delineated choices about content and format for designers.
This rich and varied experience is illustrated with training tips,
activities and ideas to support and inspire trainers. Not a straightforward
training manual or "how-to" guide, this document attempts
to balance current thinking about best practice with illustrative,
useful examples.
The document is divided into two parts: text and tools. The narrative
text posits "core training" as a set of products that
are tailored to different types of clients. The first section of
the narrative, thus, begins by identifying these client groups and
their distinct training needs. The discussion then tackles training
design from two vantage points – content and delivery. The
content section explores what is taught – including technical
and personal skills – and why. The discussion on delivery examines
how this course content can be conveyed to clients to maximize effectiveness.
The tools section offers sample job descriptions for trainers, training
session outlines that experienced practitioners have found successful,
and resources for building staff training skills.
Volume 2: Building Skills
for Self-Employment: Basic Training for Microentrepreneurs (PDF)
Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Jackie Orwick @ 202-736-1073 c/o The Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW - Suite 700 - Washington, DC 20036
