Livity Africa has called on digital agencies, brands and companies to support the second instalment of Digify - the Google and IAB SA-backed digital boot camp.
The youth agency says after successfully placing all graduates of the inaugural three-month boot camp into some of the country's top agencies and companies, including Native VML, Retroviral, FoxP2, Casson Media, Aqua Agency, iClinic, EdCon and African Doctors, Livity Africa is looking for organisations, agencies and brands to take part in Digify, which was launched in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, this month.
Livity Africa MD Gavin Weale says 85% of companies surveyed by IAB SA felt colleges and universities do not adequately prepare students with the skills they need to succeed on the job. "The industry is calling out for young digital talent with the skills required by South Africa's growing digital industry. By getting industry directly involved with the boot camp, led by Google and IAB SA, we know the graduates have the skills and knowledge the industry demands.
"Companies can get involved with Digify by providing an innovative speaker for our weekly industry talks or by submitting real live briefs for our talented young team to respond to. Agencies such as Native VML and Network BBDO, as well as brands like Red Bull, all benefited from fresh campaign ideas from the first Digify group."
Weale says the Digify programme aims to provide a pipeline of diverse young digital talent for the industry, "which is why we are offering you the opportunity to employ our next round of Digify graduates from mid-December 2014".
"The graduates have an understanding of agency processes and the digital media landscape, plus practical experience working on live briefs and running digital campaigns. They have also received training directly from Google on Ad Words, YouTube, Search and Analytics," says Weale.
Google provides funding, training and mentorship for the Digify programme as part of a local initiative to build digital talent. "South Africa's digital industry is growing by 30% to 40% per year; however, we still need to fill a gap of at least a quarter of the current workforce with digital professionals. Digify aims to help address this shortage by creating a consistent pipeline of capable and employable young talent into the industry," says Google South Africa country marketing manager Elizma Nolte.
Entities that would like to get involved or place Digify graduates can contact Hlengiwe Simelane at hlengiwe@livityafrica.com or 011 028 7487. For more information about Digify, visit www.digifyza.co.za.
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