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Develop your skills

<div class="ExternalClassA691DA1AFDE9460095411A361AFB5FF3"><p>Taking charge and developing your own skills, while also looking for support opportunities, is the best way to find a job you love and which suits you.</p></div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">Employment in Cape Town</h2><p>We understand that unemployment is a challenge many young people in Cape Town face. Sometimes finding a job can be difficult even if you have a qualification.Take advantage of any opportunity you get to develop yourself or your skills – you never know where it might take you.</p><h4>Here are some interesting statistics about young people in the workplace:</h4><ul><li>According to the Cape Town Census 2011, 18.37% of Cape Town’s population is between 15 and 24 years old.</li><li>Although school enrolment is high, only about 40% of young people between the ages of 20 and 24 have matric.</li><li>The official unemployment rate of those between 20 and 24 years old is 40.32%.</li><li>Employment in low-skill sectors has contracted in Cape Town, while there is demand for high-skilled workers.</li><li>According to the 2013 Labour Force Survey, almost 61% of young people in Cape Town between the ages of 15 and 24 are not in employment, education or training – also known as “NEETS”.</li></ul><p>At the City, we offer plenty of skills development programmes and work experience opportunities that will help you to get into the job market. Learn about the different ways you can develop your skills below. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Work experience</h2><p>Work experience is a smart way to develop your skills, learn what a job involves, introduce yourself to potential employers and meet people in your industry.</p><h4> You can get work experience through on-the-job training, like:<br></h4><ul><li>apprenticeships;</li><li>learnerships;</li><li>in-service training; and</li><li>graduate internships.</li></ul><p> Jumpstart your career! Learn more about <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Jobs-and-skills-development/Youth-careers/Graduate-internships-apprenticeships-and-learnerships">work experience opportunities at the City</a>.</p> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border"> <i class="info opportunity"><br></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p> <b>An opportunity city:</b> The City’s Urban Sustainability Internship Programme offers new graduates the opportunity to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience in key environmental areas. </p></div></div><p>If you are a graduate, join our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Find-a-job-or-develop-skills/Internships/Apply-for-a-graduate-internship">graduate database</a> so we can contact you for internships and future work opportunities.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> Register for the City’s Job Seekers Database at your <a href="https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/councilhubonline/" target="_blank">nearest subcouncil office</a>. Take your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and ID document, or valid South African work permit. We use this database to hire people for our community-based programmes, as well as specific City and EPWP projects.</p></div></div><h4>For more internship, learnership and apprenticeship opportunities, see the following websites:</h4><ul><li> <a title="Western Cape Government" href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/all-western-cape-government-services" target="_blank">Western Cape Government<i class="icon link-external"></i></a></li><li> <a href="https://www.careerhelp.org.za/" target="_blank">Khetha</a><i class="icon link-external"></i>, the Department of Higher Education and Training’s National Career Development Services portal.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Join a City programme </h2><p>We know that many young people can feel overwhelmed by the challenges in life. We aim to help you develop your skills and fill any education gaps so that you can thrive in your life and the workplace.The City offers many programmes and workshops – including employment and work readiness skills, organisational capacity building, life skills and career guidance – to support young job seekers.</p><p>To learn more about our skills development and training programmes, please follow the City Connect link below.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <strong>Activities and programmes: </strong><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/activities-and-programmes/skills-development-and-training?L1=Skills%20development%20and%20training">Skills development and training programmes</a></p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Volunteering</h2><p>Volunteering helps you grow and learn, looks great on your CV and can help you find a job. It’s also a wonderful way to give back to your community.</p><p>Find out how you can get involved and volunteer by following the City Connect link below:</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <strong>Get involved: </strong><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/get-involved/volunteer?L1=Volunteer">Volunteer</a></p></div></div></span> <h4>What volunteer work is right for me?</h4><ul><li>Choose a project or course you care about so you stay motivated and inspired.</li><li>Make smart decisions: how much free time do you have? Can you volunteer nearby so you don't have to worry about transport?</li><li>Consider a volunteering opportunity in line with your study or career interests – this way you'll learn practical skills and see what the job really involves.</li><li>Use your talents. For example, if you have a flair for acting, you could approach an organisation that arranges drama-based educational programmes for children.</li><li>Approach an organisation in your community and see if they need help.</li><li> Enquire with a <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments">City of Cape Town department</a> about volunteering opportunities.</li><li> You can also email <em> <a href="mailto:get.involved@capetown.gov.za.">get.involved@capetown.gov.za.</a></em></li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Start networking</h2><p>Networking involves meeting with others to share information, advertise your ideas or skills, and support each other professionally. Networking can help you develop your skills, stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry and spot new opportunities. It can be informal – you could share your needs and ideas with people in your community and see who can help – or you can join a more formal networking group for your field.</p><p>If your interest is in business, try <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Jobs-and-skills-development/Youth-careers/Start-a-business">visit a local business incubator</a>.<br></p>

Find out how you can develop your skills and get into the job market.