Training and competence development in the SME sector : the Hungarian case

The lack of systematic knowledge on the SMEs training practices could be explained by the lack of financial resources and the low-motivation of managers to invest in skill development. This is the so-called "competence paradox", according to which firms investing in their employees' competence development simultaneously increase the risk that these employees will leave the company. Contrary to the traditional quantitative, survey based approach on SMEs training practices, this analysis intends to better understand such kind of non formalised practice of learning in the company practice, using the empirical experiences of case studies in three selected sector. One of the most important methodological messages of this research project is that the "right mix" of both quantitative and qualitative research techniques is able to describe the variety of competence development and training in the SMEs.