The City of Cape Town plans to clean up its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) job seekers’ database and track down those who haven’t updated their details in more than a year, as required.
There are more than 400 000 names on the database. The clean-up is being done in phases and involves phoning and SMSing thousands of job seekers.
The City says scores of job seekers have responded to the SMS campaign by reporting to their sub-council offices to update their details.
The next phase of the clean-up will involve going door-to-door to track down some 120 000 individuals whose phones went to voicemail or whose numbers are no longer active.
“By doing this exercise, we are bringing dormant individuals back into contention for work opportunities, but we’re also able to remove people from the database who may have found employment elsewhere, moved to another town or suburb, or who may have died,” said Mayco member for social development and early childhood development, Suzette Little.
The City is also revising its job seeker policy, which outlines qualifying criteria.
“I am very excited at the prospect of possibly opening up the database to the private sector and other government departments. Should this be incorporated into the revised policy, employers will have access to potential employees who have already been screened for basics such as skill level and identity checks.
“But then we have to ensure that our database is up to date to improve the odds of job seekers finding employment and improving their family’s prospects,” said Ms Little.
Job seekers are encouraged to visit their sub-council office and update their details to assist with the finalisation of the database audit.
Liewe Heksie flies into the Baxter