Share This Article
With a national youth unemployment rate of 34,9%, the City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Directorate is hosting a series of career expos in the next month, bringing prospective employers to young job seekers’ doorsteps. Read more below:
The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Directorate today launched its careers expo roadshow to try and open doors for unemployed youth.
The expos are part of the City’s Transversal Youth Development Strategy, which includes personal development through life skills training, with a focus on unlocking economic opportunities.
‘Stats SA recently informed us that the national youth unemployment rate is just under 35%. There are a number of reasons for this, including lack of access to information and opportunities, young people who are simply not work-ready, and the fact that so many young people drop out of school without completing matric. We are addressing these very complicated issues on a number of fronts and the expos are about taking opportunities to our young people and opening their eyes and minds to what is out there for them if they’re prepared to work hard,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Social Development and Early Childhood Development, Councillor Suzette Little.
The expos will aim to prepare young people for the workplace, but also to broaden their job and career prospects by providing information on the various employment opportunities available to them and how to access those opportunities. The focus is on youth aged between 14 and 25 as they are leaving school and entering the workplace. Support will also be provided to those wanting to start their own businesses.
Exhibitors like the South African Police Service, the South African Navy and representatives from the banking industry, FET colleges, universities, specialised art, hotel and business schools, recruitment companies, SETAs and other organisations will be attending the expos to improve access for the young people who need it most. At the expo young people will also be able to complete an aptitude test to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Similar events will be held in all of the Social Development Department’s districts in the coming month. Details of the upcoming events are outline below.
| District | Date | Venue | Time |
| Khayelitsha | 3 March 2016 | Solomon Tshuku Hall, Site C | 09:00 – 15:00 |
| 4 March 2016 | Andile Msizi Hall in Site B | 09:00 – 15:00 | |
| Western | 4 March 2016 | Dunoon Hall, Dunoon | 09:30 – 16:00 |
| Eastern | 11 March 2016 | Kleinvlei Community Centre | 08:30 – 14:30 |
| Southern | 15 March 2016 | De Wet Hall, Ottery | 08:30 – 14:30 |
| Tygerberg | 18 March 2016 | The Hague Recreational Hall | 08:30 – 14:30 |
| Mitchells Plain | 18 March 2016 | Spine Road High School, Mitchells Plain | 08:00 – 16:00 |
| 19 March 2016 | 08:00 – 13:00 | ||
| Klipfontein | 1 April 2016 | Rylands Civic Centre | 08:30 – 14:30 |
With the roll-out of this project to other areas, the City intends to help broaden the horizons of the youth, particularly those at risk.
‘Youth unemployment is a major challenge and by engaging with residents through this platform, we are empowering them to change their lives despite what their circumstances are, encouraging them to shape their own destiny. What sets these career expos apart is that we’re literally taking all of the resources to the youth, with everything in one place.
‘There are many such events annually, but not every child is in a position to get to an open day at, for example, a tertiary institution or the navy, so they miss out on opportunities. We are connecting them to the right people, but ultimately it is up to the individual to make the best of this opportunity,’ added Councillor Little