City interventions help youth access real economic opportunities
In light of Youth Month, the Economic Growth Directorate has highlighted their commitment to supporting various avenues, where possible, aimed at assisting youth to access economic opportunities. Thousands of youth have already benefitted from sector-specific programmes run by Special Purpose Vehicles, supported by the City, over recent years.
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos, said the City’s economic growth mission is three-fold.
‘It must have real impact, it must be sustainable and it must reach the Capetonians who need it most. With our sector-specific programmes alongside a suite of enterprise development initiatives, not only have we enabled several industries to expand, and helped thousands of businesses to survive and thrive, we’ve also supported tens of thousands of young Capetonians to access real work opportunities,’ said Alderman Vos.
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 residents access the necessary sought-after skills needed to meet demand,’ said Alderman Vos.
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.
Notable City-supported programmes in the last year include:
- Over 460 youth upskilled by UVU Africa across digital and biotech pathways. Through UVU Bio, participants graduated from programmes in Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, Clinical Research (GCP), Quality Control and Quality Assurance, and Good Manufacturing Practice, strengthening Cape Town’s growing health innovation and biomanufacturing workforce.
- Through UVU Africa’s CAPACITI, learners completed programmes in Full Stack Development, IT Technical Support, Cloud Computing (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud), and Artificial Intelligence. Over 1 150 micro-credentials and 443 industry-recognised certifications were issued, equipping graduates with in-demand, employer-aligned skills.
- The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) reached over 5 000 entrepreneurs through its capacity-building programme, with a strong shift toward digital learning.
- With funding from organisations including CoCT, GreenCape facilitated a massive R7 billion estimated investment declaration, creating an estimated 1 550 jobs. Cape Town’s presence on the global green economy scene is worth bearing in mind when considering that the industry, currently worth over US$5 trillion and poised to surpass US$7 trillion in value by 2030 (according to the World Economic Forum).
- CapeBPO’s programmes such as the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator and BPO CX Schools have brought in thousands of local youth to the contact centre industry. Over 100 000 people now work in the industry, spread across domestic and international customers, more than double the number of employees in the province 10 years ago.
What is even more encouraging is the fact that figures show that the largest share of employees in international BPO centres live in Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Langa (7,5%), Athlone (6,6%), Hanover Park (4,9%), Delft (4,2%), Elsies River (3,7%), Grassy Park (3,5%), Kraaifontein (3,5%) and Manenberg (3,2%). This shows that City-backed efforts to connect Capetonians in vulnerable communities with opportunities are bearing fruit,’ said Alderman Vos.
In tandem with 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
‘Our 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, more than 5 800 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, gaining practical experience by 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 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,’ said Alderman Vos.
Jobs Connect Programme
‘Lowering the cost barrier to the labour market was also an important factor to shortening the unemployment queue,’ said Alderman Vos.
‘A 2023 survey from Youth Capital found that respondents spent an average of almost R1 500 on transport, data and applications. Our Jobs Connect programme helps reduce that burden through a streamlined, user-friendly and cost-effective system. Since going live in early 2021, 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 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 it is working. Cape Town has consistently maintained its status as the metro with the lowest unemployment rate. This is thanks in 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,’ said Alderman Vos.
Contact details
Business Hub: Email: business.support@capetown.gov.za; phone – +27 (0)21 417 4043
