INTEGRATION's projects in Small Enterprise Development seek to address two levels simultaneously. On the one level, projects strengthen support institutions so that they can in turn provide technical support and consultancy services to their members. On the second level, the projects seek to empower the entrepreneur through human resource development and vocational training schemes.

Entrepreneurship development

Using proven interactive training approaches for entrepreneurship development, we enable and encourage potential small and micro entrepreneurs to be autonomous. Our training courses, which include training of trainers and linkages with local financing institutions, are usually offered in conjunction with local partner institutions, thus enabling long-term sustainability.

An integrated approach to skills development

Our projects follow an integrated approach to skills development, wherein project beneficiaries are exposed to the advantages of team work and the challenges of dealing with different situations, in addition to the acquisition of occupational skills. Towards this end, we encourage the development of partnerships between the education sector and the workplace, which can help promote the skills necessary for employment, and contribute to greater gender and economic parity.

INTEGRATION''s experience in this area spans the following projects and geographic locations:

• Advisory & training programme in Sri Lanka (1994-2003) for private, public and non-governmental organisations that they can in turn help private entrepreneurs to begin new businesses or expand existing ones.
• Development of a Design Centre to improve quality and competitiveness for crafts and small businesses in Colombia (2001-2004).
• Skills training for employment promotion in Zambia (1999-2004), combining vocational training and further training with consultancy, access to credit and institution building.
• Support to AGEXPRONT, an export association in Guatemala (1993-2000), by providing consultancy to exporters and organising promotional activities in Germany.
• Basic employment and skills training programme in low cost housing in South Africa (2000-2003) by providing both vocational training and entrepreneurship development.