CoJ initiative will aid economic growth
Job seekers' and innovation desks to be launched
The Department of Economic Development will be launching an initiative which will grow and develop the labour market within the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).
In a recent press release, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development, councillor Leah Knott, said that the department will be launching job seekers’ and innovation desks within each of the City’s regional hubs. “This initiative is in line with the CoJ administration’s commitment to achieve a five per cent economic growth by 2021 and to reduce unemployment. This leading, cutting edge initiative will link job seekers to opportunities – both in the public and private sector,” she said.
She added that the job seekers’ and innovation desks will be entrepreneurial spaces and meeting points for like-minded individuals to engage, collaborate and find solutions to job creation and economic growth.
This follows the first ever Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Symposium which sought ways to improve the current entrepreneurial ecosystems within Johannesburg, in order to stimulate local economy and create jobs. “The entrepreneurship ecosystem symposium brought together government, private sector, educational institutions, NGOs and, most importantly, entrepreneurs for this purpose. During conversations around pioneering the entrepreneurship ecosystem, the city received a number of innovative and practical submissions to the challenges that face entrepreneurs and SMEs operating in Johannesburg,” the MMC said.
The department has, as per its 2017/ 18 financial year deliverables, committed to increase regional economic development and support towards entrepreneurial development,but this approach can only succeed if a stronger alignment between the department and regional offices, as well as collaboration between the city, private sector and small businesses can be achieved.
“The new business model will increase the number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) hubs to two per region, as there is currently one per region and ultimately, the city will have a total of 14 of these facilities by 2021,” the MMC said.
She concluded by saying, “We have also approached two Institutions of Higher Learning, in order to give their learners the opportunity to conceptualise an appropriate name and logo for these desks. The learners providing the successful name and logo will be recognised for their creativity and will for innovation, and at the same time, this approach will provide emerging graphic designers and young professionals with an opportunity to create a unique portfolio.”
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
