Influence of Entrepreneurial Training on Business Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises Among Youth Driven Initiatives in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The economy of a nation depends on Small and Medium enterprises. However, SMES have been said to report high rates of failures with many of the enterprises dying at an infant stage. Among other reasons for the SMES’ failure is the lack of entrepreneurial training. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the influence of entrepreneurial training on business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to analyze how creativity influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives in Nairobi County, to establish how training programs influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives in Nairobi County and lastly to assess how mode of delivery influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives in Nairobi County. This research employs descriptive research design whereby data collected was presented without the researcher influencing the findings in any way. The research targeted youth owned SMES in Nairobi County. The research targeted owners, managers and employees of the SMES. Target population was 7494 and a sample size of 364 was taken by using the Morgan and Krejcie sampling Table. The research applied multi-stage sampling technique to sample its respondents. Questionnaires were used for data collection. The research utilized descriptive analysis for each of the questions asked in the questionnaires presenting their reliability, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics was also applied to establish the correlations of the dependent and independent variables. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS software and MS Excel. Research findings will enable the stakeholders involve in the SMES industry to identify the challenges facing the industry so that they can develop mechanisms of tackling the said challenges. The study concludes that creativity influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives; that training programs influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives; that mode of delivery influences business growth of SMES among youth driven initiatives. The study recommended that The Ministry of Youth Affairs and sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Education should develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum on entrepreneurship education and training which should be integrated at all levels from nursery to university, so as to build a strong entrepreneurial culture early enough in our youths. The researcher suggested that since the study was conducted in Nairobi County, a similar research should be carried out in other areas