Murray Swart | 21 August 2023
The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department (SD&ECD) introduced the youth-focused Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI) CT in 2021 with the aim of creating opportunities for young people to improve their skills base and participate in learning programmes so as to have a better chance to be employed.
The youth development programme is made possible by the SD&ECD department’s Expanded Public Works Programme and currently has 46 youth ambassadors participating in the programme. The READI CT is a three-year programme that will come to an end in June 2024.
The EPWP programme caters for various training opportunities by assisting participants with personal development and exposure to the work environment. The programme also allows participants to gain valuable experience when they are placed at various community-based organisations.
Currently, six ambassadors are permanently employed at the City, and one has taken up a student contract.
Youth ambassadors are an important example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
The youth ambassadors have been able to implement grassroots community development initiatives through the new skills that they have acquired through the programme and are able to not only grow themselves as individuals but also the broader communities that they reside in.
‘The development and skills training programme not only strengthens interpersonal skills but also boosts confidence and the ability to communicate effectively,’ said the mayoral committee member for communityservices and health, Patricia Van der Ross.
‘The programme is an investment in the development of the metro’s youth and the ambassadors can now assist other youth to understand how to access the many services provided by the City of Cape Town. I would like to congratulate the participants who are still actively involved in the programme and who have the opportunity to learn, grow and make a success of the opportunities provided.’
‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’.