Cape Town: The Economic Growth Directorate has highlighted their commitment to support various avenues, wherever possible. They aim at assisting youth to access economic opportunities. Thousands of youths have already benefitted from sector-specific programmes run by Special Purpose Vehicles, supported by the City of Cape Town, over recent years.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos stated that the economic growth mission of the City of Cape Town is three-fold. It must have real impact, it must be sustainable and it must reach the Capetonians who need it the most.
According to Vos, with their sector-specific programmes alongside a suite of enterprise development initiatives, they have enabled several industries to expand and help thousands of businesses to survive and thrive. They have also supported tens of thousands of young Capetonians to access real work opportunities.
In working closely with Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) within identified high growth industries, skilled workforce pipelines have been built, driving youth into jobs in contact centres, green technology manufacturing, IT, design and others. The City funds these SPVs to promote Cape Town as the preferred destination for investors across these industries while at the same time ensuring that residents access the necessary sought-after skills needed to meet the demand.
Notably, the SPVs are BlueCape, CapeBPO, Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster, Craft+Design Institute, GreenCape, The Greater Tygerberg Partnership, UVU Africa, and Western Cape Economic Development Partnership. These industry growth programmes are initiatives by the Economic Growth Directorate to boost small businesses and entrepreneurs with skills development and networking opportunities.
Business Hub
Alderman James Vos said that the Business Hub team manages a schedule of carefully selected workshops designed to empower entrepreneurs with practical capabilities needed across industries. Recent training sessions include themes of marketing, contract management and supplier networking sessions.
Last year, over 5800 businesses undertook training delivered via the Hub. The Hub further supports youth development through the Junior Business Advisor Programme where university graduates are trained through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) over a three-year period, by gaining practical experience and providing frontline support to businesses.
In total, the programme has benefitted 28 beneficiaries since its 2021 inception, with many participants using it as a springboard to further enhance their careers. Such programmes are a mechanism to address one of the biggest features of youth unemployment that of companies being wary of hiring inexperienced people.
Jobs Connect Programme
Vos added to his statement and said that lowering the cost barrier to the labour market was also an important factor to shorten the unemployment queue.
A 2023 survey from Youth Capital found that respondents spent an average of almost R1500 on transport, data and applications. The Jobs Connect programme helps reduce that burden through a streamlined, user-friendly and cost-effective system.
Since going live in early 2021, approx. 170,000 people have accessed Jobs Connect and used it to build their employment profiles. Jobs Connect includes in-depth numeracy and literacy assessments and detailed guidance to help users develop their CVs that they use for work applications on multiple platforms.
With these interventions, the City is targeting youth unemployment from different angles and at different economic entry points, and yes, it is working. Cape Town has consistently maintained its status as the metro with the lowest unemployment rate.
All thanks to no small part to the initiatives cited above, built on a foundation of stable, good governance. Youth unemployment is the most important priority that must be tackled by all tiers of government together with the private sector. Young South Africans literally cannot afford to wait any longer.