The City of Cape Town has expanded a youth technical skills programme aimed at improving employability and creating pathways into long-term economic participation for unemployed youth.
City of Cape Town has expanded its Installation, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) Programme in partnership with the National Business Initiative to equip unemployed youth with practical technical skills and workplace experience.
The initiative forms part of the City’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and is currently supporting 250 young people through accredited training and on-the-job experience across various municipal departments.
The programme, implemented by the City’s Economic Growth Directorate and Urban Waste Management EPWP department, focuses on preparing participants for employment opportunities in technical sectors while strengthening township economic development.
Following a successful pilot phase during the 2023/24 financial year, where 31 learners were trained and placed in general repairer roles, the initiative has now been significantly expanded.
Encouragingly, 18 participants from the pilot phase have already secured permanent employment within the City and private sector companies.
Participants are selected through the City’s Jobseekers Database and the National Business Initiative, with training support including accredited courses, toolkits and protective clothing.
Learners gain practical exposure within departments including Water and Sanitation, Recreation and Parks, Urban Mobility and Human Settlements.
The programme primarily supports young people from previously disadvantaged communities and includes strong participation from women.
Participants assist artisans with maintenance and repair work linked to plumbing, carpentry and electrical support functions while also receiving entrepreneurship development and workplace readiness training.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg, said the initiative is about more than temporary employment opportunities.
“This programme is about more than just short-term work opportunities. It is about building practical skills, opening pathways into the job market, and supporting enterprise development within township economies,” he said.
Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said the programme reflects growing demand for youth employment and skills development opportunities.
“The fact that we are expanding this opportunity from 31 youth to 250 highlights the need for these programmes and the hunger in communities for job training and associated opportunities,” he said.
The City says it hopes to continue expanding the programme in future as part of broader efforts to improve youth employability and stimulate local economies.
