On 14 June 2017 the National Skills Authority (NSA) convened a ground breaking meeting by bringing together the principals of the 21 Seta Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the 9 Provincial Skills Development Forums (PSDFs) represented by the coordinators from the Premiers ‘offices. The Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 mandates the NSA to liaise with SETAs and PSDFs in the quest of fulfilling the purposes of the Act.
The purpose of the meeting was to engage with SETAs and PSDFs on the progress made in implementing the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). The PSDFs comprise of skills development stakeholders in each province to assist with the determination of skills needs in each province. The NSA was encouraged to receive positive feedback from provinces and would like to commend SETAs for their overwhelming support and investments they made in implementing skills development and training in various provinces through the provision of bursaries, learnerships, internships, funding for rural development projects, promotion of small businesses etc.
Although strides were made in realising the purpose of the Skills Development Act, there were still a number of key issues which required improvement amongst others:
- Delays in the implementation of planned projects,
- Shortages of work places and accredited service providers,
- Non standardisation of stipends,
- The ineffectiveness of the SETA regional offices and
- Skills development implementation in the rural areas.
Recommendations:
- Standardisation of stipends for learning programmes across all SETAs and finalisation of the workplace based learning regulations.
- A common approach for data verification to be considered by the department.
- Best practice within SETAs on planning and monitoring and evaluation should be promoted.
- Processes for target setting should take into consideration capacity and resources of SETAs.
CONCLUSION
The NSA will continue to highlight key skills development issues that require policy and strategic interventions to the Minister and the appropriate implementing agencies.
Statement issued by the National Skills Authority
Enquiries : Dr Thabo Mashongoane
Telephone : (012) 312 5666
Email : Mashongoane.T@dhet.gov.za