An analysis of business skills and training needs essential for business success in plastic manufacturing industries in developing nations: A case study of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

Businesses need to maintain a high level of performance in order to remain competitive and effective. One of the key factors to achieving this is having a well skilled workforce and a competitive management. It is very easy to get experienced managers but not easy to get workers who have relevant technical knowledge; hence there is a need to evaluate the workforce and recommend that those falling short should be sent for training. Focusing on the plastic manufacturing industries in developing countries, specifically in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, it is clear that the management also needs to possess relevant managerial skills. This study aims to find out how training may help in equipping the labour force that is hugely unskilled and how it could benefit the organisation in a developing country. The study used 90 questionnaires that were sent out to plastic manufacturers around the province, to be completed by managers. The result of the study showed that there was improvement as indicated in the company’s growth due to training received especially by the non-skilled workers. It is concluded that there is a need for training in business skills and other skills to keep the organisation competitive, especially in a technologically changing world. Key words: Training needs, business skills, technical skills, business success, plastic manufacturing.