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10.3 Training for existing enterprises: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Written by: International Labour Organization

Article Overview: Once in business, women entrepreneurs express a strong need for training in marketing, product quality, financial management and business planning. But access to this business and management training is limited.

10.3 Training for existing enterprises: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Once in business, women entrepreneurs express a strong need for training in
marketing, product quality, financial management and business planning. But access to
this business and management training is limited. During the field visit, key informants
suggested that the major MSE management skill development requirements of women
are in the area of marketing, packaging, financial management, and dealing with
financial institutions. Low awareness, high programme cost, limited customized training,
and the poor reach of training services to women in rural communities are all issues of
concern. The existing training programmes that are provided are referred to as basic, and
key informants expressed a need for programmes specifically tailored to women in
growth firms. Women entrepreneurs feel there is a need for follow-up interventions and
customized programmes, delivered in a “just-in-time learning approach” (short
interventions on specific topics), reaching women in all regions of the country.

Some user-pay training programmes are offered throughout the country, but in most
cases, the cost of this training is an issue for women. Donor-supported NGOs reportedly
offer training at low prices; however, key informants report that trainers often have low
skill levels, especially in business growth strategies. Higher level training offered by
organizations such as the University of Dar es Salaam is seen by many women as too
expensive (the University’s three-day training programme costs US$250). Other
organizations also offer programmes supported by donor funding, but these offerings, in
many instances, are not customized to pre-identified learner needs and are centrally
based in Dar es Salaam. Programmes scheduled over a five-day period are viewed as too
much of a time commitment by most women entrepreneurs and do not usually provide
follow-up support. Overall, key informants reported that women entrepreneurs have a
low awareness of available training opportunities, and that reach to rural communities is
an area of concern.

Related Articles
  1.2 Mission Objectives: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  4.2 The profile of growth-oriented women: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  4.0 The state of women’s enterprises in Tanzania: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  10.0 Training – business management and technical skills: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  8.0 Promotion of women’s entrepreneurship: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Article Tags: business and management, business women, customized training, Dar es Salaam Programmes, financial management, informants, marketing product, rural communities, training programmes, training services, University of Dar es Salaam, women entrepreneurs



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