Education and Training Needs of the Ethnic Entrepreneur in Australia

Abstract

This paper is one of the outcomes of an empirical study of 209 ethnic entrepreneurs in Sydney investigating the ethnic business creation process. In the paper, the education and training needs of ethnic entrepreneurs are identified and analysed with respect to a number of issues affecting ethnic business, such as educational qualifications, English-speaking skills, areas of business knowledge, cultural, linguistic and technical skills, areas in which the entrepreneurs find it difficult to acquire knowledge, and their preferred method of receiving training and expert advice. This study confirms the view that entrepreneurship education makes a significant difference in the performance of entrepreneurs, with entrepreneurs expressing a need for further training and education in specific business issues.