Short Bio:
Betsy Ings holds a Diploma in Occupationally Directed Education and Training Development and a Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management. She is an ILO Master Trainer in Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), Social Enterprise Development, Advocacy, and Sustainable and Resilient Enterprises (SURE), as well as a *certified IFC Business Edge Trainer and Assessor. With more than two decades of experience, Betsy has worked across every level of enterprise and skills development—from designing national training strategies to coaching entrepreneurs on the ground. She has extensive expertise in training of trainers, mentorship, capacity building, policy advocacy, and enterprise incubation, with a strong focus on women entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and community development. She is the Founder of Siyaloba Training Academy NPC (1999), which has trained more than 36,000 women and fishers, and the Managing Member of e-WD, a social enterprise driving education, advocacy, and women’s economic empowerment. Her career has also included leadership and governance roles as a Board Member of the National Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa, TETA, EOCAF, and SASMIA, and she serves as trustee of the Jayce Fishing Trust and the Ings Family Trust. Betsy has led programmes in partnership with the ILO, UN Women, government departments, chambers of commerce, sector authorities, and multinational corporations, ensuring alignment across business, policy, and community priorities. She has successfully mentored and coached hundreds of SMMEs, helping many to transition into sustainable, competitive enterprises that collectively employ thousands. She has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Businesswomen’s Association National Business Achievers Award (2008/2009), the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Meritorious Service Award (2010), the Business Partners Certificate of Recognition (2011), and the International WVL SADC Award for Gender Equality (2021). Recent Track Record: • UN Women Implementing Partner: Coaching and training of 200 women entrepreneurs through the MACWE Programme (2023–2024). • ILO SIYB Training of Trainers: Trained 20 business mentors and coaches for NYDA (2023). • UN Women & ILO: Training of 20 SIYB Trainers and mentoring of 2,000 women entrepreneurs across four provinces (2020–2024). • ILO SURE Programme: Sustainability and resilience training for 18 enterprises with Durban Chamber of Commerce (2021–2022). • Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber & ECDC: SME mentoring and business management coaching for over 210 enterprises (2016–2022). • ILO & Coca-Cola Abafazi Programme: Trained more than 12,000 emerging and social entrepreneurs nationally (2010–2016). • ILO & WESSA: Social enterprise development with educators and youth through Eco-Schools and Women in Water initiatives (2012–2015). • National Facilitator & Keynote Speaker: Women entrepreneurship and leadership forums (2010–present).
