| City-supported Day of a Thousand Opportunities opens doors to Cape Town’s booming call centre industry | City-supported Day of a Thousand Opportunities opens doors to Cape Town’s booming call centre industry | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div>This week the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, joined the City’s Special Purpose Vehicle, CapeBPO, for the Day of a Thousand Opportunities where unemployed Capetonian youth were empowered with employment skills and access to careers in the call centre industry.</div><div><br></div> | <p>More than 2 000 individuals were given the chance to interact with 12 business process outsourcing (BPO) operators, offering them the opportunity for interviews and the potential to access skill development programmes and permanent job openings. <br></p><p>The initiative is a collaboration between CapeBPO, the City, the Western Cape Provincial Government and private sector partners. <br></p><p>'The stellar success of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in Cape Town stands as a testament to our collective efforts to expand investment and job opportunities in key high-growth industries. In the international arena, over 8 000 new entry level jobs were created in 2023. <br></p><p>'Moreover, the BPO sector stands as a pillar of foreign direct investment, injecting a staggering R2,8 billion into the city, based on the new jobs alone. This substantial influx of capital not only fuels economic growth but also underscores the vital role of call centres in driving sustainable development and prosperity,' said Alderman Vos.<br></p><p>CapeBPO CEO, Clayton Williams, said the initiative served as a beacon of hope for young people desperately looking for work. <br></p><p>'By providing them with opportunities to gain valuable employment skills and access to meaningful careers, we strive to bridge the gap between youth unemployment and economic opportunities. Through the unwavering support of our esteemed partners, including local government bodies and private sector stakeholders, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. Together, we recognise the importance of investing in the potential of every individual, irrespective of their background or circumstances,' said Williams.<br></p><p>Through CapeBPO, the City has driven several programmes that have helped thousands of previously unemployed Capetonians to find work in the sector. In SmileFM's recent campaign to help 10 000 Capetonians find jobs before Christmas 2023, the bulk of the opportunities created – 9 147 – were in call centres across the metro and came via CapeBPO.<br></p><p>In November last year, Alderman Vos cut the ribbon at the BPO Sunday School in Athlone where youth in and around Athlone, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain can receive training for work in the BPO sector. </p><p><span></span></p><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"></figure><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/City-supported.JPG" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:880px;" /><br><p></p><p>'The critical factor in helping Capetonians access these opportunities is that there is an ever growing demand by global companies to set up shop in Cape Town. In the coming months, there will be several more major call centres opening in the metro. That is in large part because of the investment promotion we have done to highlight Cape Town's appeal to the BPO industry. <br></p><p>For more information about CapeBPO's skills development programmes and how to get involved, contact them at <a href="mailto:info@capebpo.org.za">info@capebpo.org.za</a>. <br></p> | 2024-02-10T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#43f9be79-642f-432a-836e-48cb986b3302;L0|#043f9be79-642f-432a-836e-48cb986b3302|economic development facilitation;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | City of Cape Town, Media Office | 0 |
