Some Issues of Micro and Small Enterprises in Wolaita Soddo Town of SNNPR, Ethiopia and Implication for Technical and Vocational Education and Skills Training: Leather Sector in Extra Emphasis

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education & skills Training (TVET) and Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) are so significant sectors in socio-economic development journey of a country. This Article was aimed at investigating empirically the challenges that Micro and Small Enterprises facing and the extent of business development services provided by TVET College with extra emphasis of Leather based MSEs in Wolayta Soddo town. Both quantitative and qualitative study methods were employed through questionnaire, observation, interview and secondary data reviewing. To this end, 36 respondents from selected MSESs were participated through in open and close ended patterns of the questionnaire. Whereas, 5 respondents from relevant sector government offices were involved in interview sessions. Moreover, MSEs marketing and production centers have been observed. Furtherly, secondary data collected from various sources were reviewed.  Thus, some untapped opportunities for MSEs indicated and extra due attention suggested for leather sector as it is clear that Ethiopia has a clear comparative advantage in raw skin and hides production even if this comparative advantage is not yet turned into a competitive advantage in the global market. Some major constraints of the sectors like market constraint, finance constraint, land constraint and input constraint have been discussed. Most importantly, pre-job and in-job skill training areas were recommended to continuously capacitate MSE operators through TVET curriculum and existing structure.

Keywords: Wolayta Soddo, Leather sector, MSEs, TVET, advises/training service