In 2004 APSO recognized the need for a unified body which would represent all of the industry associations and approached all of the industry captains in this regard. In 2005 CAPES was formally constituted, with APSO as a founding member. CAPES is generally recognised as the undisputed representative body for employers of a-typical employees and private employment agencies in South Africa.  CAPES facilitates interaction with all stakeholders at the highest level on behalf of its Association Members.

CAPES is generally recognised as the undisputed representative body for employers of a-typical employees and private employment agencies in South Africa.  CAPES facilitates interaction with all stakeholders at the highest level on behalf of its Association Members. 

CAPES is proud to have as its Association Members:

As a confederation CAPES represents the interests of almost 1000 registered Private Employment Agencies in South Africa placing more than 300 000 daily average temporary employees into the South African labour market.  
CAPES is a proud member of Business Unity of South Africa under the Unisectoral Chamber and engages actively in the standing committees pertaining to Social Policy, Economic Policy and Transformation Policy. 

CAPES’ membership includes large and small, transformed and transforming, listed and private employment agencies.

Given the complexities of globalisation, the need for business in South Africa to be competitive, the drive to decrease unemployment and poverty, as well as to develop skills, Private Employment Agencies have a vital role to play and will continue to engage stakeholders in Business, Government, Labour and Society in order to achieve these and related objectives. 

The Association Members currently engage in either statutory regulation via Bargaining Council Agreements or sector-specific statutes (e.g. the Nursing Act) or self-regulation via Codes of Ethics.