Youth Month: Learn How Jobs Connect Helps Young Capetonians Find Work
By James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town.
As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, calls upon young Capetonians to seize the opportunities offered by the City’s flagship workforce development programme, Jobs Connect.
“Youth Month is a time to reflect on the challenges our young people face and to take actionable steps towards their empowerment,” says Alderman Vos. “Jobs Connect was established to bridge the gap between job seekers and employment opportunities, making the job search process more accessible and cost-effective.”
Understanding Jobs Connect
Jobs Connect is a free, data-free (for MTN and Vodacom-users) platform designed to connect job seekers with potential employers. Recognising the financial burdens associated with job hunting – such as transportation costs, printing CVs, and internet access – the City launched this initiative to alleviate these challenges. Since its inception, over 147,750+ Capetonians have registered on the platform, accessing a wide range of employment and training opportunities.
Achievements to Date
The impact of Jobs Connect is clear:
- 4,485 individuals have secured entry-level work placements
- 4,555 individuals have benefited from educational, learnership, and apprenticeship placements
- 3,200 voluntary and graduate placements have been facilitated
- 495 individuals with disabilities have been placed in meaningful work opportunities
“These figures highlight the programme’s success in creating tangible employment pathways for our residents,” notes Alderman Vos.
A Call to Action
Alderman Vos emphasises the importance of youth participation:
“We aim to reduce the unemployment queue in Cape Town, and Jobs Connect is a pivotal tool in achieving that goal. I encourage all young people to register on the platform and take advantage of the opportunities available.”
How to Get Involved
Young Capetonians can register on Jobs Connect by visiting jobsconnect.leelyn.co.za. The platform offers a streamlined process to connect with employers, access learnerships, and build skills for the future.
“Let’s make Youth Month not just a time of remembrance, but a period of proactive engagement,” concludes Alderman Vos. “Together, we can build a future where every young person in Cape Town has the opportunity to thrive.”
