One of the greatest challenges facing South Africa and the "independent states" of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei over the next decade will be job creation and the development of the skills of the people. This is particularly true of Ciskei with its rapid population growth, unemployment, shortage of skilled manpower and over abundance of unskilled labour. Small business and, in particular, retailing with its relatively low entry requirements, can play a significant role in the creation of jobs. Small business, and small business retailing in particular, suffers, however, from a high failure rate resulting in a waste of financial and human resources which a developing nation like Ciskei can ill afford. The training of people involved in small business retailing is, therefore, of great importance. There is no unanimity of opinion, however, as to what training models or approaches are most appropriate. The purpose of this study was, thus, to design a training model, develop an andragogic training programme for Ciskeian small retailers based upon the model
and test it. In accordance with the model developed, the nature of the retailers performance problem was established, the job of the small retailer was analysed, the training needs of retailers were identified, performance standards were set, the course curriculum was developed, training strategies and styles were selected, the necessary training resources were obtained and the training programme was implemented. A pilot training programme was run in 1987 and then the amended programme was
run for two years. The results of the training were measured in terms of: -the delegates reaction to the training programme -what the delegates learnt -changes in the business as perceived by regular customers -reaction of the delegates to the training programme one year later -case studies and survival rates Statistically significant positive results were obtained in all aspects evaluated. It
can, therefore, be concluded that the andragogic training model for Ciskeian retailers resulted in a positive reaction of delegates to the training, an improvement in the retailer's knowledge of retailing, positive changes in the businesses as perceived by regular customer and improved survival rates of these small retail businesses.