Youth agency Livity Africa has partnered with the Interactive Advertising Bureau of SA and Google SA to launch a three-month digital skills training programme for Johannesburg youth.

The “digital boot camp” – also dubbed Digify – starts later this month and aims to train people between the ages of 18 to 25 on digital campaigns, social media skills and content creation, as well as Google modules including Search, Ad Words, YouTube and Analytics.

Gavin Weale, MD of Livity Africa, says the programme aims to address SA’s digital skills shortage “by creating a consistent pipeline of capable and employable young talent into brands and agencies”.

“We are calling on agencies and brands to get involved with the programme by taking part in the Digify workshops, providing real-life briefs or by offering internships or junior roles to Digify graduates,” he adds.

According to Livity Africa, professional skills coaching will also be offered to Digify trainees to ensure they are “job-smart and work-ready”.

“Trainees will have access to further support during their first eight weeks of employment, should they need to overcome any issues they may encounter during their integration into the formal workplace,” says the agency in a statement.

Agencies or brands looking to take part in the boot camp can contact Thato Noinyane at Livity Africa.