Making small and medium-sized enterprises more competitive through upskilling and reskilling

The policy brief argues that SME competitiveness depends on making upskilling and reskilling a strategic business priority rather than an ad hoc activity. SMEs face specific constraints, including limited finances, weak HR capacity, lack of tailored training, difficulties assessing skills needs, and uncertain returns on training investment. The brief highlights the importance of skills intelligence, sector-focused foresight, and training needs analysis to identify relevant current and future skills. It calls for connected skills ecosystems involving SMEs, business intermediaries, training providers, research institutions, civil society and policymakers. Action should focus on practical, timely, tailored training, peer learning, mentoring and accessible financial incentives.