Vocational training for self-employment - learning from enterprise development best practice

John Grierson

Vocational training in developing countries is now at least as much about enterprise development and self-employment as it is about its traditional role of preparation for employment. There is, however,
little evidence that the hard-earned lessons of enterprise development are being effectively incorporated into the process of vocational training reform. This article presents an approach to supporting
the enterprise transformation within vocational training for self-employment. Key influences are identified, and particular attention is given to the growing body of enterprise development best practice.
These elements are used to formulate a 'Conceptual framework for vocational training for self-employment'. This regards the training process as being in three stages- selection, training and self-employment-each
of which should be orientated towards enterprise formation: selecting only those with potential for self-employment, conducting training as far as possible in the workplace, and stimulating enterprise networks
to support new startups. All of these principles have implications in terms of cost, relevance and equity and these are discussed in a table of 'Planning and assessment guidelines'.