Premier, Mobility Minister launch free transport voucher for jobseekers

Today, Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, and Provincial Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, officially launched the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) Getting YOU to Work - a pilot initiative offering jobseekers free travel to interviews using Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS).
 
The jobseeker transport voucher is being piloted in partnership with the private sector, to remove transport barriers and enable access to job opportunities for unemployed jobseekers. The free travel voucher is offered to interview candidates by registered employers. The vouchers can be used on any GABS bus, on weekdays from 8am to 4pm.
 
During the launch, Premier Winde and Minister Mackenzie joined the very first jobseekers to make use of the Getting YOU to Work voucher, as they attended an interview in Athlone.
 
One of the candidates, Latita Memani, a 20-year old student from Cape Town said, “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.”
 
Premier Alan Winde emphasised the importance of this project, saying, “Getting YOU to Work is part of the WCG’s Growth 4 Jobs Strategy. We are doing everything we can to grow the economy, create jobs and tackle unemployment, which currently stands at 20%[1]. We have spoken to people who do not have work so that we understand the challenges they face and where the provincial government can support them.”
 
Premier Winde continued, “One of the biggest hurdles reported is the cost of transport, especially for those who live far away from economic hubs.  I am thrilled that this initiative will provide tangible support to the many people who are actively looking for work. I encourage entrepreneurs and businesses to register to become a participating employer. 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.”
 
The Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said, “Unemployed jobseekers simply don’t have money for transport, which makes it a significant struggle to look for work and attend interviews. The free travel voucher that we launched today removes this initial barrier, with 12 free trips included in the voucher, helping jobseekers find the work they so desperately need.”
 
Getting YOU to Work is being piloted in Cape Town and is available to jobseekers who have secured an interview with a participating employer. Employers who would like to sign up to participate can register on the online portal or visit our website (https://www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/to-work) for more information. For information about GABS routes and how to use the service, contact 0800 65 64 63 (toll free) or visit the GABS website on www.gabs.co.za.