Tell SMEs that upskilling is worth the cost

The writer was correct to say that “Cost, not skills, may weigh more on the minds of firms” (Dec 20). As I have observed during my training, only multinational and government-linked companies send their employees for extra training.

Most local small and medium enterprises believe that except for sales, other departments are a cost sink. So they pay top dollar to hire salespeople with the best sales records.

But many of them find it hard to retain or satisfy customers because their other departments are not sufficiently equipped, skilful or up to date with the latest methodology or technologies to keep up the service level.

The Government’s foremost task is to correct this SME mindset before launching more training initiatives.