Applications are now open for the second intake of the Google and IAB SA-backed three-month digital bootcamp, Digify, run by youth agency Livity Africa for 18 to 25 year olds.
Starting in Johannesburg in September 2014, 15 young people will have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the first round of Digify graduates who this week have started new careers in the country’s top digital agencies and organisations including Native VML, Retroviral, FoxP2, Casson Media, Aqua Agency, iClinic, EdCon and African Doctors.
“South Africa needs to fill at least a quarter of the current workforce with digital professionals, and Digify aims to help address this shortage by creating a consistent pipeline of capable and employable young talent into brands and agencies,” says Livity Africa managing director, Gavin Weale. “We’ve been pioneering vocational internships focused on sourcing young talent for 14 years in the UK and SA, but Digify is a unique new strand that is responding directly to a clear and present industry need for digital talent from diverse backgrounds.”
“Led by Google and industry experts, Digify participants receive intensive training in digital campaigns, social media and content creation, as well as key Google modules including Search, AdWords, YouTube and Analytics. They also have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders as well as working directly with brands and agencies on live briefs.”
“We aim to place all graduates in paid entry level jobs or internships in the digital industry and we’re proud to say that all of our first Digify graduates were offered paid job or internship opportunities,” says Weale.
Google provides funding, training and mentorship for the Digify programme as part of a local initiative to build digital talent in South Africa.
“Collectively the South African digital industry has supported this programme as we all face a similar dilemma – a serious lack of diverse young digital talent. The Digify programme is an exciting prospect for the industry and I recommend brands and agencies looking for young talent to look to place Digify graduates in your team” says IAB SA chairman, Jarred Cinman.
To apply, and for more information about Digify, visit www.digifyza.co.za and @livityafrica #DigifyZA. Applications close 25 August 2014. If you are an agency or brand who would like to get involved or place Digify graduates, please contact Hlengiwe Simelane at hlengiwe@livityafrica.com or 079 994 0340.
