The following study was undertaken as a result of the clear recognition of two factors: one involving a strong presence, the other a gaping absence. There is present in the developing world today a deep recognition that training provision can be improved if it is developed in conjunction with enterprise needs. There is also present a growing number of enterprises, of many types and sizes, which are entering more directly into the field of training provision, either as customers of public or private training institutions, or as hosts of their own in-house skills development.

At the same time, an absence was clearly identified: a gap in research on enterprise-based training or at least an opportunity to bring together the many experiences that have recently been made.

This article starts with some general remarks about the growth in the commodities sector in both Africa and Asia. It then addresses the phenomenon of technical and vocational education and training, before going on to the support it has received from enterprises, government and development agencies.