Today marked the official launch of the “Getting YOU to Work” initiative by Alan Winde, the Premier of the Western Cape, and Ricardo Mackenzie, the Provincial Minister of Mobility. This pilot program, facilitated in collaboration with Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS), aims to provide free transportation to jobseekers for interviews.
In a concerted effort with the private sector, this jobseeker transport voucher initiative seeks to eliminate transportation obstacles, opening up job opportunities for the unemployed. Eligible interview candidates receive free travel vouchers from registered employers, valid on any GABS bus during weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm.
Premier Winde and Minister Mackenzie personally joined the inaugural group of jobseekers utilizing the “Getting YOU to Work” voucher, attending an interview in Athlone.
Latita Memani, a 20-year-old student from Cape Town and one of the candidates, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I managed to get to the interview today without spending money and without borrowing money from my parents. All in all, this jobseeker voucher is a very good idea that will help a lot of youth to get employed, become independent, and be successful in life.”
Emphasizing the significance of the project, Premier Alan Winde highlighted its alignment with the WCG’s Growth 4 Jobs Strategy. He stated, “Getting YOU to Work is part of our commitment to growing the economy, creating jobs, and addressing the current 20% unemployment rate. We have engaged with jobseekers to understand their challenges, and transportation costs emerged as a major hurdle, especially for those residing far from economic hubs.”
Premier Winde encouraged entrepreneurs and businesses to register as participating employers, stating, “By making the travel voucher available to jobseekers, employers can have their pick of the very best candidates that the Western Cape has to offer.”
Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie stressed the financial challenges faced by unemployed jobseekers and the role of the free travel voucher in overcoming this barrier. The “Getting YOU to Work” initiative, initially piloted in Cape Town, offers 12 free trips within the voucher, assisting jobseekers in their quest for employment.
Jobseekers with interviews scheduled with participating employers can benefit from this program. Employers interested in participating can register on the online portal or visit the official website (https://www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/to-work) for more details. For information on GABS routes and services, individuals can contact 0800 65 64 63 (toll-free) or visit the GABS website at www.gabs.co.za.
