ILO: Productivity and working conditions in SMEs: A course for policy-makers

Around the globe SMEs are the main providers of employment but show significantly lower levels of productivity than large enterprises. In SMEs low productivity often coexists with poor working conditions, low market share, a low skilled workforce and ineffective management practices.

This training course enhances the skills of policy makers and practitioners to assess and design policies to improve productivity and working conditions in SMEs. Participants in this training course will:

Interpret productivity data and trends at the
macro, meso and micro level using different
types of productivity measurement methods;

• Analyse the relationship between productivity, growth, and employment;
• Identify some of the linkages between productivity and working conditions in SMEs;
• Gain an improved understanding of the role of universalist policy measures and SME policies in enhancing SME productivity and working conditions;
• Analyse policy options and generate policy recommendations to improve SME productivity and working conditions.

The course hopes to inspire policy makers and practitioners to adopt a systemic approach to SME productivity that encompasses an effective combination of macro- and meso-level policies, the creation of a conducive business environment, the strengthening of SME support institutions together with interventions at the enterprise level. Special attention will be given to strategies to promote productivity at the firm level and ways to scale-up firm level productivity programmes. The course will be delivered by ILO, OECD and ITC-ILO specialists.

Who should attend?

The training course is specifically designed for policy makers and practitioners involved in the design and implementation of policies and related interventions affecting the productivity and working conditions of SMEs, such as decision makers and managers representing:

• Governments
• Workers’ and Employers’ Organizations
• Productivity organizations
• SME agencies

Enrolment deadline: 10 February 2017