Report OL168 Open Learning for the Self Employed

A significant feature of the development of the economy in the last decade has been the increase in the number, and growth, of small businesses. There is some evidence that difficulties which confront small businesses arise through a lack of training of their owner / managers, especially in the start up phase.

The individuals who take the plunge to set up their own business, or are already running a small business, work very long hours and find it difficult to find time to study. The grant support systems bypass them because their businesses are too small to qualify, or the support that is available is inconvenient in terms of time and place. They cannot spare the time to attend conventional training courses. Furthermore they also need a wide range of knowledge and skills as the owner / manager often has to be personnel officer, marketing manager and accountant all rolled into one.

The owner / manager will have sought professional advice from one source or another, and a substantial proportion will have used the advice and counselling services provided by the nationwide network of Enterprise Agencies. It was considered that the provision of suitable training for small businesses, by and through the same organisation that provides advice and support, could be an answer to the problem.

An important factor, relevant to an Open and Flexible Learning approach to training for this group, is the high motivation they bring to the task of learning. They realise that self development is crucial to their commercial survival.

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This page last updated 31 January 1999.