Applications open for May 2015 intake of Google and IAB SA-backed digital bootcamp

Applications open for May 2015 intake of Google and IAB SA-backed digital bootcamp for 18-to-25-year-olds

Applications are now open for the May 2015 intake of the Google and IAB SA-backed three-month digital bootcamp, Digify ZA, run by youth agency Livity Africa for 18-to-25-year-olds.

Commencing in Johannesburg in May 2015, this will be the fourth group of young people to benefit from the initiative which has seen 100% of graduates being placed in paid jobs or internships in the digital industry following the bootcamp.

Livity Africa Managing Director Gavin Weale says: “What is really unique about this bootcamp is our strong links with leaders in the digital industry. Digify is just the stepping stone these talented young people need to start their careers in the rapidly growing digital industry.”

“As an industry, we need to fill a gap of at least a quarter of the current workforce (IT Web, 2011) and, so far, Digify has directly connected leading brands and agencies like Native VML, Retroviral, FoxP2, Casson Media, Aqua Agency,  iClinic, MTN, Vicinity Media, Hitch Digital, Publicis Machine and the African Leadership Academy with next generation digital talent.”

Google South Africa Country Marketing Manager Elizma Nolte says: “Google is funding the initiative as well as providing Google experts to ensure the young people receive up-to-date training with Search, AdWords, Analytics and YouTube. Initiatives like Digify are crucial for ensuring we have pipeline of diverse young talent to sustain South Africa’s ever growing digital industry,” says Elizma.

“As well as learning technical and professional skills, Digifyers have the opportunity to work on real live briefs from brands and agencies, equipping them with relevant skills to start their careers in an agency or brand environment. Previous participants have created campaign ideas for Red Bull, Kit Kat, Nescafé, MTN, Nandos and Mountain Dew, British Council, Red Marketing, SEO Tips Spot, Sandton City, Chilladiddo and Shanduka,” says Gavin.

Owethu Makhathini graduated from Digify in November 2014 and currently works for Retroviral. “Digify has been a great experience for me. Learning about the digital world in a fun, interactive way changed my perspective on skills development. Digify encouraged us to explore our ideas and test our creativity by putting us in the same room as industry leaders. I have been using the tools and insights gained from Digify at my new job and I am so much better for it,” says Owethu.

“If you are an agency or brand who would like to place Digify graduates in your company, provide an innovative speaker for our weekly industry talks or submit a real live brief for our talented young team to respond to, please contact Hlengiwe Simelane at [email protected] or 011 028 7487,” says Gavin.

For more information and to apply for Digify, visit www.digifyza.co.za before Monday 27 April 2015 and you must be available to start in May 2015.