The Career Assessment Development Education & Training (CADET) scheme, funded by the Services Seta and supported by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, was implemented by Calling the Cape and companies in the call centre industry to ensure a steady supply of skilled staff as the industry grows, as well as to create employment opportunities for previously unemployed learners.

There has been significant new investment into Cape Town in the past two years and there is huge demand for skilled and experienced call centre workers, says Calling the Cape executive director, Luke Mills. The industry has recognised that we need to keep renewing the supply of skilled people to sustain that growth in future. We also need to ensure that we are creating jobs for those who need them most, so it is fantastic news that we will be able to accommodate at least 300 learners next year.

This year the scheme combined four weeks of a seven-week accredited training programme at NQF2 Level, followed by several months of in-service training with one of 15 companies participating in the scheme. The in-service training led directly to full-time employment for at least 51 of the learners, and another 23 are waiting for contracts to be finalised with their host companies, leading to an overall success rate of 89%.

Nothandi Magodla of Magodla and Associates, who is responsible for helping the remaining 15 learners find jobs, says she is confident that most will be placed by the end of this month. It has been a great success, she says.

Mapule Mtshakazana, named the schemes Top Performer at the graduation ceremony held in late August, worked as a cleaner and tea lady before being accepted into the Cadet scheme. Now employed full time at the City of Cape Towns technical operations centre, which hosted the second part of her training, she aspires to a management position in the industry.

One of her prizes is a R4 200 bursary from the International Colleges Group, which she will use for part-time studies towards a second-level qualification next year. Other prizes included R1 000 cash, two seats for the national SACCCOM awards to be held later this year, and a nights stay for two at the hotel where the awards will be held.

Calling the Cape has now opened applications for the third round of the Cadet scheme. Anybody interested in applying for the scheme should contact Calling the Cape via e-mail to , fax their CVs to or visit the Web site at www.callingthecape.org.za.