Statement by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth

The latest figures from Statistics South Africa prove that the City’s efforts to lay a solid foundation for job creation are bearing fruit. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for January-March 2022, Cape Town maintained the lowest unemployment rate on the expanded definition of all metros, at 30%.

This shows that the City is on the right track with its growth coalition partnerships and business-friendly programmes.

Our Jobs Connect Workforce Development platform, for example, is where the City is helping job-seekers to source knowledge, training and employment opportunities while linking businesses with the appropriate individuals that will help them expand their operations.

Then there is the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator Project funded primarily by the City and the National Skills Fund, which aims to facilitate over 3 000 jobs in three years, by providing training and workplace experience in high growth industries for previously unemployed South African youth and women.

To date, 1 400 unemployed and previously disadvantaged individuals have been trained for call centres and every single one of them has been offered permanent employment upon successful completion of their training. This is against a target of 1 100 people, meaning that the project has over-delivered by almost 30%.

Through City programmes such as these, Cape Town has helped South Africa rise to the top of international rankings in the call centre industry. In total, the Cape Town sector created almost 5 500 international jobs in 2021, bringing the overall jobs servicing global clients to over 42 000. Together with domestic-facing clients, more than 69 000 people now work in the sector in Cape Town.

These initiatives were given an additional boost today as Council approved the R713 million Economic Growth budget. With the projects that will be undertaken, we will spur more investment and job opportunities in sectors such as tourism, greentech and marine manufacturing, among others.

Unemployment remains one of our country’s biggest crises. In Cape Town, we see this too. The most vulnerable communities feel it. But we are working hard to create an inclusive economy of hope and confidence. Together, we are creating a better tomorrow.

Source: City Of Cape Town