Abstract:
The study sought to assess the contribution of entrepreneurship training on performance
of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in Arusha City. The study was conducted in five
Wards of Arusha City namely; Lemara, Unga Limited, Elerai, Sakina and and Sekei. The
study adopted the descriptive survey design. A total of 68 questionnaires were distributed
and 62 were filled and returned. The study concluded that respondents had a positive
perception on the essential of training among the SMEs. Respondents strongly agreed
that entrepreneurship training is important in business performance. The study concluded
that there were various challenges facing the SMEs training including inadequate capital,
ineffective of training programmes, inability to leave business to attend training
programmes, inability to adopt to new technology, entrepreneurs’ overconfidence arising
from past success, inadequate follow-up after training and negative perception on training
among entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it was concluded that there is a need to solve the
challenges facing entrepreneurship training among the SMEs. This was due to the fact
that training was seen to be useful to the SMEs. Due to the fact that the entrepreneurship
training was perceived important among the SMEs, the study recommended that it should
be done regularly so as to equip SMEs with all necessary business skills. The study
recommended that there is a need to address the challenges facing entrepreneurship
training among SMEs. The government through SIDO and other stakeholders should put
more efforts on entrepreneurship training. It was also recommended that make follow-up
after training is important to make sure that the skills acquired among SMEs are well
utilized. Finally. The study recommended that conducting regular and participatory training
should be emphasized to make the entrepreneurship training effective
