Who benefits from training: big guy or small fry?

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to measure the effectiveness of training schemes and levy utilization in terms of cognitive gain and skills changes through increased knowledge and skills intensity to improve job performance among large companies and SMEs in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed questionnaires as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaire was used to gather relevant information on the effectiveness of training schemes and levy utilization among companies registered under Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF).

Findings

The result of this study illustrates that the training schemes have been found to be effective in increasing the employees' knowledge and skills, as well as improving the companies' performance. SMEs' performance was better off than the large companies' after receiving the training scheme.

Research limitations/implications

Encouraging SMEs to provide training has been problematic owing to the absence of empirical data to support a causal relationship between training and business success. The present study reduces this knowledge by providing empirical data on the positive outcomes experienced by SMEs participated in various training schemes.

Originality/value

This study was conducted on prominent government‐funded training schemes in Malaysia. No previous study has been conducted on these government‐funded training schemes.

Citation

Hashim, J. and Wok, S. (2013), "Who benefits from training: big guy or small fry?", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281311315856