Beyond subsidising training costs : policies to increase training provision in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

This report aims to contribute to better understanding of policies which can effectively support MSMEs in increasing their training provision. It also works towards a new approach for reviewing these policies. First, it investigates the causes of the 'MSME training gap'. Second, it develops a novel taxonomy of policies supporting MSMEs to increase their training provision. Third, it analyses a broad range of policy instruments aiming at mitigating the MSME training gap, implemented across the EU-27 and the UK with roots in different fields of policy-making. Fourth, it provides insights into the effectiveness of the policies supporting increased MSME training provision. It proposes the novel concept of 'support arrangement' - which refers to all forms of support available to MSMEs located in a given sector/region - and explores the support arrangements in selected skill ecosystems and skill formation systems. The report concludes with suggestions for policy-making and further research.