ABSTRACT
With the increasing complexities in the economy, the special need for fostering micro and small entrepreneurs through proper training and education has been felt. On the one hand, it is important to impart to them technical skills and the associated tacit knowledge (for performing production activities) and some articulated knowledge (part of which is scientific knowledge), required for comprehending the overall system of production in general. On the other hand, in order to run business proficiently, they require to be imparted with modern managerial and organizational skills involving, inter alia, marketing, sourcing materials, financing, and tying up and negotiating with other organizations. The existing system of entrepreneurship training or vocational education in India has mostly been grossly inadequate to meet all these requirements. At the same time, neglecting the traditional system of trainee apprenticeship under master craftsmen compounded the problem. Consequently, high mortality among micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has become a major concern. Appropriate policies can combine the traditional apprentice system with the modern training and vocational system that would impart tacit knowledge, articulated knowledge, technical skill and the managerial skill required for an efficient own-account entrepreneur.
