A Study on the Relationship between Skills Gap and Return on Training Investment in Technology-Based SMEs

Under resource constraints, technology-based SMEs are highly sensitive to the return on training investment. This study analyzes the impact of different training strategies on employee performance, focusing on the relationship between skills gap and training effectiveness. Based on skills assessment, training records, and performance appraisal data of 2,784 technical personnel in a technology-based SME, a skills gap index was constructed, and two types of investment methods were distinguished: general training and job-oriented training. A multiple regression model was used to analyze the relationship between training duration and performance changes. The results show that implementing job-oriented training for employees with skills gaps in the upper quartile resulted in an average performance score improvement of 0.21 standard deviations, while the improvement from general training was less than 0.06. The research results provide a quantitative basis for SMEs to optimize the allocation of training resources.