City’s Jobs Connect programme partners with big businesses to create opportunities

STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS

The City’s flagship workforce development programme, Jobs Connect, has reached a milestone by successfully partnering with several big businesses to create training and employment opportunities for Capetonians.

Jobs Connect took off last year after I tasked the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department to create a user-friendly platform that reduced the cost barriers to finding employment. This is because, according to studies, simply searching for employment can cost up to R1 000.

Since its launch in April 2021, Jobs Connect, which is facilitated by Leelyn Management, has recruited and assessed almost 66 000 people, with more than 8 000 of them receiving work readiness training and 5 241 being placed in jobs.

I’m proud to share that this includes initiatives with major corporations to train and employ Capetonians.

One such programme is that with Old Mutual, where unemployed graduates are trained to service their communities with insurance plans. Candidates go through formal in-house training, followed by regulatory exams where after they receive accreditation with the Financial Services Regulatory authority.

Another is that of IBM, the global IT conglomerate, which has recruited young people through Jobs Connect to be trained in computer technology and then receive job placements within the company. Trainees also receive a stipend while in the training.

Brands such as Pep, Grand West Casino and Ackermans also now routinely use the platform to recruit staff.

While it is not up to government institutions to create employment, it is our duty to lay the foundations that allow for inclusive economic growth that spans across the metro. With Jobs Connect, the City is helping job seekers to source knowledge, training and employment opportunities, and linking businesses with the appropriate individuals that will help them expand their operations.

How does it work?

Job-seekers register their details on the online Jobs Connect platform and complete a literacy and numeracy assessment, the results of which are added to a digital CV.

The entire process is paperless but users can print out their CVs and assessment results.

For business owners looking for talent, they can also register as an employer by contacting Kurt Joshua at kurtj@leelyn.co.za.

Interested job-seekers can also get registered at one of the various Jobs Connect activations that take place across Cape Town. Upcoming activations are scheduled for Philippi on 20 October, Athlone on 25 October, and Kraaifontein on 4 November.