Training for growth: how can education providers assist in the development of small businesses?

It would be difficult to find a college or university business school that is not currently offering a training programme for small business. Yet despite the enthusiasm with which providers have entered the market, the take‐up rates remain low. Examines the underlying reasons why this might be so and discusses the findings of a detailed survey of 400 small businesses residing in the county of Devon. Shows that education providers are out of touch with the market and, moreover, have a very negative image which must be overcome before small business training can be utilized to its full potential. Calls for greater co‐operation between institutional providers and local Training and EnterpriseCouncils to ensure that this situation is rectified.