Cape Town is offering new opportunities for its young citizens by training 1,000 young Capetonians in the booming call center industry, a sector that is experiencing remarkable growth in recent years. The City-funded Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Afterschools programme, administered by CapeBPO, the City’s Special Purpose Vehicle in this industry, aims to address the critical issue of youth unemployment in South Africa.
Community-based call center training
The training takes place at the Futur-ED learning center in Athlone, and the programme targets unemployed youths and Grade 11 and 12 school-goers from surrounding areas like Athlone, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and Mitchells Plain. The primary objective of this project is to offer access to a community-based call center, where learners can receive first-hand exposure to the industry and the myriad opportunities it presents.
Tackling unemployment crisis
Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, emphasizes the significance of such programs in tackling the unemployment crisis. “By opening a door for young Capetonians to an industry that has witnessed stellar growth and is still going to see a great deal more,” he said, adding that the City is actively working on creating a brighter future for its citizens.
High demand for CX delivery point
In the 2023 Ryan Strategic Advisory Front Office BPO Omnibus Survey, executive respondents in North America singled out South Africa as their most favored offshore customer experience (CX) delivery point. Cape Town, in particular, enjoys a surge in demand among corporations in the sector, so much so that CapeBPO now claims that every individual who completes a skills programme is guaranteed a job placement.
Proactive approach to promoting the metro area to investors
This surge in demand is the result of the City’s proactive approach to promoting the metro area to investors. By showcasing tangible commitments towards training Capetonians through the Afterschools programme and the Cape Skills and Employment Accelerator, the City is able to attract more investors.
Expansion of Afterschools programme
Moving forward, Alderman Vos outlined the plan to expand the Afterschools programme, aiming to train an additional 1,000 young people in the coming months. “Each business development, job, and upskilled person is an investment in Cape Town that helps more young people start their careers and provide for themselves and their families,” he said.
Building a stronger and more inclusive economy
Through these projects and programmes, Cape Town is laying the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive economy that supports its citizens and firmly establishes the city as the easiest place in Africa to do business. As the call center industry continues to flourish, young Capetonians can now look forward to a future filled with immense potential and exciting career opportunities.
