The ILO’s Future of Work podcast features a discussion about the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) program, an entrepreneurship training program developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The program aims to support potential and existing entrepreneurs in creating and managing small businesses, with a focus on those in marginalized communities who may find it difficult to find formal work opportunities.
SIYB offers well-structured training that covers essential aspects of running a business, from planning and setting up to financial management and marketing. The program is conducted in a practical and interactive manner, using real-life examples that are applicable to concrete business scenarios. The materials are designed to be adaptable to various contexts, allowing for flexible implementation in different countries and regions. The strength of the program is also attributed to its international network of trainers, with more than 500 master trainers and 55,000 certified trainers in over 100 countries.
Ngoakwana Selekaan, a SIYB graduate and entrepreneur from South Africa, shares her experience with the program. She explains that she was inspired to become an entrepreneur by her mother, who was also a businesswoman. Ngoakwana is now into food and beverage, with a small shop selling bunny chows, baking scones and biscuits, a ginger juice brand, a catering company, and livestock farming. She employs several people and credits SIYB training for helping her manage her finances and identify which parts of her business were not profitable.
Luisa Iachan, an ILO expert responsible for inclusive markets and promoting entrepreneurship, discusses the success of SIYB and its focus on inclusiveness. The program places a strong emphasis on ensuring that the materials are accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women, youth, and marginalized communities. The educational content of the program provides concrete examples and case studies that reflect specific realities and challenges that these groups face. Depending on the context, specific resources and tools are developed to meet the needs of these groups, such as the SIYB level one, which was developed to train individuals with low levels of literacy.
SIYB continuously updates materials and develops new relevant models to keep up with emerging business trends and challenges. In 2018, the program introduced the green business booklet, which helps entrepreneurs adopt environmentally friendly business practices. In 2020, eLearning models were developed to facilitate online learning for participants during the pandemic. In 2022, the digitalizer business was developed to help entrepreneurs benefit from the wide dissemination of digital technology.
The ILO entrepreneurship team has also integrated SIYB as part of a broader approach to promoting entrepreneurship, linked to the development of inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems. This approach combines entrepreneurship training initiatives with strengthening of other areas of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, such as policy, culture, markets, finance, and other support services.
Ngoakwana’s top tips for someone thinking of starting their own business are to start with what they have, believe in their dreams, never give up, know their why, have a vision, and always make sure they learn something every day towards their business. She recommends taking up any opportunity for training, such as SIYB, to help expand their business further.
