The City of Cape Town has announced that it is increasing its efforts to support the startup and enterprise sector to spur on job growth and creation in the Mother City.
City of Cape Town reinforces commitment to job creation and growth
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James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for Economic opportunities and tourism shared that the city is focused on continuing its effort to support economic growth and job creation especially after the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
“An integral aspect of our plans is the continued support and funding for our Special Business Partners (SBPs). From call centres to craft and design, information technology to green technology, from boats to aviation, these SBPs are at the coalface in communities, recruiting thousands of people for jobs and training in Cape Town’s high growth sectors.”
The commitment to these sectors is due to the overall results showcased by the City of Cape Town previously working with what they label as ‘ground specific sectors’ resulting in overall visible growth in the job sector.
“This kind of multi-sector, partnered approach to economic growth might not be standard practice for local governments in South Africa but here’s the thing: it’s working. In fact, it’s an approach that city development experts around the world say is necessary for economic growth,” adds Vos.
According to reports issued by the City of Cape Town, since the implementation of its multiple efforts and investment of over R233-million, it has resulted in 27 137 jobs and additional training of 11 025 individuals.
Programme focus
The City has reported that it will continue to support the following programmes to help bolster employment opportunities:
- The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative will provide youth with in-demand technical skills and soft workplace skills all packaged in a digital literacy programme. In addition, this programme provides job-ready coaching to its participants and later connects them with employment opportunities with the initiative’s corporate partners
- The BlueCape, a Special Business Partner of the City of Cape Town – which trains youth in marine manufacturing and marketing of Cape Town’s boat-building industry.
- CiTi’s Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn which trains local entrepreneurs in basic tech
- The Cape Craft and Design Insitute, an institute that offers development and workplace experience for unemployed individuals within the local textile manufacturing sector.
- Call centre training programmes for unemployed individuals
- SiliconCape will continue to host a startup and upskill masterclass catered to the tech sector. Within this initiative selected participants are mentored by experienced business leaders.
Read more: City of Cape Town calls for Women in Business programme applicants
Featured image: Rohan Reddy via Unsplash
