Last month the City of Cape Town’s Subcuncil 21, which includes areas such as Vrygrond, Kalkfontein, Happy Valley, Driftsands, Los Angeles and Green Fields, created job opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The monthly job seeker’s report for ward allocation and projects for the wards in Subcouncil 21 was submitted to the Subcouncil meeting on 15 June 2016. A total of 500 temporary jobs were created within wards 11, 14, 17, 19 and 108. 

The Expanded Public Works Programme seeks to alleviate poverty, provide economic relief and unlock opportunities through temporary work opportunities. It is implemented under four sectors: the environment and culture, social, infrastructure and economic sectors.

 

According to the Subcouncil Chairperson, Cllr Steven Vuba, not only does the City create an enabling environment where residents can participate in the job market, but also affords them the opportunity to advance their skills that will hopefully put them in a better position to find permanent employment.

 

 

In addition to the above, the Subcouncil has embarked on a EPWP awareness drive to inform residents about the programme and to allow those already registered to update their details. So far, more than 8 900 forms have been distributed in the various wards and 5 112 completed forms have been received.

 

A group of close to 60 workers are visiting households to distribute pamphlets and assist interested residents to register for EPWP work opportunities. This will afford them the chance to apply for a temporary job at various City of Cape Town departments.

 

The awareness campaign and registration drive started two weeks ago and the closing date for registering on the EPWP database is the end of the month. Residents who have missed this opportunity can still go to Subcouncil 21and fill in the job seeker application form.

 

Officials from the subcouncil collate all of the information and capture the data on the central data list.

 

‘This programme shows the City’s commitment to partnering with communities and contributing towards an environment where residents can become part of the job market and acquire new skills so as to give them better opportunities in life,’ said Cllr Vuba.