mPowa, a one-stop-information app for youth services

This June, mLab is launching a brand-new app that puts youth employment information into the hands of job seekers. The app is called, mPowa and is a member of the SA Youth Network, a Presidential Youth Employment Intervention. It will be officially introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Youth Day event on 16 June 2021.  

With mPowa users can easily find real-time information on employment related workshops, courses, calls for applications, etc., in their vicinity. With this app job seekers won’t miss out on, for example, a soft skills workshop, a seminar on how to conduct an interview, a course in coding or other events that may be happening there and then in their area.  It also offers information on youth centres, colleges, free Wi-Fi spots, internet cafes and other resources that can help young people overcome the logistic obstacles they face when chasing that dream job.  With mPowa, SA’s youth are now empowered to create their own pathways to a secure future.   

The app is not only for those who wish to find employment but also for the young entrepreneurial mind. Whether they have been building a business for years, are nurturing a recent start-up or simply have a great business idea, the app will connect them with a plethora of resources such as financial assistance or mentorship programmes such as one of mLab’s own start-up accelerator programmes. 

Many students feel uncertain about the best way to compile a resume. How should it look? What should be included and what should be omitted? mPowa’s powerful resume-building feature facilitates this very important step in the job seeking process. It walks students through the process and compiles an attractive resume that can be sent to potential employers straight from the app.

“The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention truly aims to clear a path for our youth to fulfill their potential”, says mLab CEO, Nicki Koorbanally, “and there are terrific programmes out there that are really yielding results. With this app we aim to inform, connect and empower the youth by giving them easy, relevant and reliable access to these services”.

Programmes, services and other resources listed on the app are verified and reviewed by users to ensure quality and relevant search results. mPowa draws from a database of more than 40 000 data points and is constantly being expanded.  The app is friendly to use and is available for download from Google Play or the Apple app store.