The impact of training and support interventions on small businesses in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP): Pretoria Region.

Abstract

Small businesses sector around the world is regarded as a catalyst of employment for the largest number of people. To reduce massive unemployment and inequality in the country, the Government of South Africa introduced various initiatives to stimulate and support small businesses, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is one of such initiatives. The enterprise development approach, is one of the delivery mechanisms of the EPWP, which seeks to transfer income to poor households in the short to medium-term. This study therefore critically assess the impact and effectiveness of training and support interventions provided to small businesses through the EPWP. The diagnostic research design approach is used in this study since the study aims to diagnose and evaluate the impact of training and support interventions provided to EPWP Small and Medium Micro Enterprises (SMEs). The study also employs a quantitative research method. Due to the size, availability and ease of access to the participants, the entire population of twenty (20) small businesses supported by the EPWP was sampled. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted. The study demonstrates that the training intervention provided through the EPWP is making positive impact and achieving its intended goals of enhancing business management skills to participants. It also reveals an interesting outcome that the majority of the participants are women. The study also identified some weaknesses in the programme which leads to the recommendation that long-term support mechanisms are essential to ensure sustainability of emerging enterprises.