Cape Town BPO boom creates 10,000+ jobs, boosts South Africa economy
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — Cape Town’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector has added 10,427 new jobs in the past financial year, marking a major economic win for the city.
Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, credits strategic workforce training and public-private partnerships for the sector’s rapid expansion.
Strategic workforce development drives BPO growth
Much of Cape Town’s BPO achievements come from training people for careers in the industry through the CapeBPO Academy.
Alderman Vos pointed out that the city is focused on training to make sure there are plenty of skilled workers to support global businesses in the region.
According to CapeBPO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Clayton Williams, working together with the government has helped the industry achieve steady growth by involving many people in its career development.
Public-private collaboration key to sustained success
CapeBPO has greatly contributed to matching the government’s plans with what is expected from the private sector.
It was the support and money from the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town that helped Williams’ training and development programs. The ability of the sector to recruit young people has helped a lot, making it easy for them to get work after finishing school or college.
Ahead, he pointed out that to continue growing, investments should be made in skills and infrastructure on a regular basis.
BPO sector rivals tourism as economic powerhouse
The BPO industry has become one of Cape Town’s largest economic contributors, matching the ZAR 24 billion (US$1.3 billion) annual impact of tourism.
Vos noted that the sector’s expansion is fueled by Cape Town’s reputation as a business-friendly city with a talented, empathetic workforce. He pointed out that solution-driven talent and empathy give local employees a competitive edge in customer service roles.
Also, the BPO expansion is making an important difference in people’s everyday lives by hiring young unemployed individuals who live in Cape Town. He mentioned that BPO centers were full of young workers who felt confident and were grateful for the jobs.
The city’s effort to prepare its workforce keeps Cape Town in front as the best site for BPO providers as the world’s demand increases. With 10,427 jobs added in just one year, the city’s model could serve as a blueprint for other regions seeking economic revitalization.
