Faizel Bawa's mental disability means nothing when it comes to his drive - and he's proved that by getting the first "real" job offer of an astonishing group of young people working hard to find employment.

And those driving the project to secure mainstream jobs for people like Bawa with mild and moderate mental disabilities are as excited as he is.

"It's the beginning of something very exciting," said job coach Shamila Ownhouse, who has trained about 40 people through the Siyanceda Youth Services Project in skills including gardening, cleaning and caregiving for children and the aged.

A partnership between Cape Mental Health's Training Workshops Unlimited, and the government's Umsobomvu Youth Fund, the project is proving it is possible to secure jobs for disabled youths.

Cheshire Homes in Penlyn has offered Bawa his first job, which, the smile on his face says, he is extremely excited about. But Bawa's drive doesn't stop there.

"One day I want to run my own gardening business," he said, neatly putting the finishing touches to a clean-up of the Silvertown creche grounds where he has been doing practical training.

"Faizel is a real gentleman and such a pleasure to have here. He's turned our garden into a beautiful place," said creche principal Florence Reynolds.

Ownhouse, a job coach in Athlone and Retreat, said they trained youngsters in job and lifestyle skills so they would be able to cope with supervision, public transport and the money they would start earning.

Phase 1 started in April last year, and although Ownhouse at first believed students would only start working after two years, there's great celebration over Bawa's job offer.

Next she is turning her attention to Shane Steer, 32, who proudly holds up his new driver's licence, which he knows will open up even more work possibilities.

Steer is training as a cleaner, and is determined to work in a day hospital, "mopping, polishing and pushing a trolley".

But he's saving up money for a car anyway, and Ownhouse says it won't be too long before he has enough to get himself on the road.

The Siyanceda students come from Athlone, Retreat, Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha, and are "the cream of the crop", according to Ownhouse.

All must be in a position to travel daily to the workshop by themselves, and must be a trainee for at least a year.

The first trainees are undergoing advanced life and works skills training, and getting additional work experience at community organisations.