Effect of On-the-Job Training on Employee Skill Acquisition in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Edo State, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of on-the-job training (OJT) on employee skill acquisition in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria. Anchored on Human Capital Theory and Social Learning Theory, the study adopted a survey research design. A sample of 384 respondents was drawn from owners, managers, and senior employees of SMEs across the three senatorial districts of Edo State. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression. The findings reveal that on-the-job training has a statistically significant positive effect on employee skill acquisition among SMEs in Edo State. The study concludes that OJT is a strategically significant driver of employee skill development and recommends the formalisation and institutionalisation of structured OJT programmes to strengthen employee competence and enterprise performance.