Training and job opportunities for women

We at the Western Cape Government are committed to empowering women and helping them reach their maximum potential. One way of doing this is by improving their lives through career opportunities and training.

As we commemorate Women’s Month, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements and progress of women and the important role they have played and continue to play in South Africa's society.

Breaking through the glass ceiling 

The Department of Transport and Public Works empowers and educates women through various programmes and projects and celebrate women who excel in these often male-dominated fields such as engineering, transport economics, city and regional planning and construction. 

Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme 

The annual Masakh’iSizwe bursary programme prioritises women, youth, students with disabilities and learners from rural communities when awarding bursaries. If you’re considering a career in one of these fields and looking for financial assistance, find out how the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme can help you.

Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) 

Our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) helps unemployed people aged 16 to 35 through skills programmes and work experience by giving them access to temporary work.

• Infrastructure sector - led by the Department of Transport and Public Works, together with the departments of Human Settlements, Health and Education, as well as municipalities. Work opportunities within this sector focus more on labour-related activities - for example maintenance programmes.
   
• Non-state sector - led by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and includes the Department of Social Development and municipalities. IDT also provides funding to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and provide regular part-time work with regular incomes.
   
• Environmental and culture sector - led by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, together with the departments of Agriculture, Cultural Affairs and Sport, and Tourism, as well as municipalities. This sector creates jobs through alien vegetation clearing projects, wetland rehabilitation programmes, waste management and community tourism projects.
   
• Social sector - led by the Department of Social Development, together with the departments of Community Safety, Education and Health, as well as municipalities. The sector focuses on increasing the quality of home-based care and early childhood development programmes, both of which require large amounts of dedication.

If you’re looking for a temporary job and willing to learn a new skill, contact the EPWP office to find out how you can apply.

Traffic Officer training 

Gene Louw Traffic College has been training traffic officers since 1989 and offers various courses including a 12-month accredited basic officer training programme in Brackenfell, Cape Town. If you’re interested to learn more about the programmes on offer, contact the traffic college for more information. 

A future in healthcare

The Western Cape Department of Health offers a limited number of bursaries for full-time study each year. You can find more information about the bursaries on the Western Cape Government Health Bursaries page.

Farmer support and agricultural training 

Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute offers various training programmes in the agricultural sector including the following qualifications:

• B.Agric degree (M +3 years).
• Higher Certificate in Agriculture (M + 2 years).
• Diploma in Agriculture (1 year – 2-year Higher Certificate as prerequisite).
• Diploma in Extension (1 year– 2-year Higher Certificate as prerequisite).
• Diploma in Cellar Technology (1 year– 2-year Higher Certificate as prerequisite).
• Equine Studies (M + 2 years).
• Non accredited short courses.
• Learnerships (Minimum of 10 months).

Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute offers a learnership that's registered by AgriSETA and accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The programme offers you an occupational qualification. The approach includes classroom-based theoretical learning, practical and workplace experience. The Learnership Programme is offered at no cost to the student and funded by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture – the only cost for the student is transport to and from the training centre.

More women are considering agriculture as a career possibility. If you're interested in a career in agriculture, you can get more information and contact details at Structured Agricultural Education and Training or at the Department of Agriculture.

Uplifting female entrepreneurs