Digital literacy course empowers City’s unemployed youth
05 March 2021
The City of Cape Town has upskilled 73 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers with essential Information Science and Technology skills through its Smartcape Cadet initiative. The City recognised these candidates today at the Smartcape Cadet closing ceremony. Read more below:
The Smartcape Cadet skills development programme has empowered these EPWP workers with the necessary digital literacy skills needed to access the information and opportunities that the internet and computer programs provide.
The City has trained 73 participants over the past month who are now certified in basic literacy and facilitation. They have been employed by the City of Cape Town through the Expanded Public Works Programme for an 18-month period and will now be stationed at the Smartcape kiosks at various City libraries. They will be facilitating the Smartcape services offered to the public at the kiosks.
The Smartcape Cadet skills development programme focuses on skills in computer and digital literacy; customer service; administration and communication. The Smartcape cadets are represented in all Subcouncils across the City, including areas such as Mfuleni; Macassar; Sir Lowry’s Pass; Atlantis; Delft and Dunoon. Once registered, participants are placed in the library closest to their residence.
Qualifying participants for this programme were required to have a matric certificate and be between the ages of 18 and 35.
‘The Smartcape Cadet skills development programme has always been one of the most practical and effective initiatives available to unemployed youth in Cape Town. Here residents receive an opportunity to equip themselves with the digital literacy skills our society requires in order to access most information and opportunities available to them. The free internet service we offer suddenly becomes a valuable tool in their lives. This has a knock on effect with other residents in their community as these appointed Smartcape Cadets then guide and assist those needing help at our community libraries’, said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Sharon Cottle.
The City’s aim with its digital literacy initiatives is to bridge the digital divide in our communities. Some of the focus areas of this skills development programme include basic computer skills; internet searches; online job hunting skills and online applications for educational institutions; scholarships and bursaries.
Given that they are now equipped with the necessary facilitation skills, the Smartcape Cadets will be assisting library patrons with accessing Wi-fi, using useful e-resources such as Press Reader and Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, searching for information, and creating online folders for them to access their research.
Through SmartCape, residents are also able to apply for an apprenticeship or a job at the City, register for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), apply for an informal trading permit, or report a fault or service request.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
