The NSA in partnership with Provincial Skills Development Forums (PSDFs) hosted public hearings in all Provinces to ensure the mobilisation of business, government, community and labour to take full ownership of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) and SETA landscape.
The objectives of the provincial public hearings were:
- To solicit recommendations on the NSDS and SETA Landscape beyond 2018.
- Update the Provinces on post-school education and training related policy matters.
- To monitor progress on the implementation of the NSDS III
- To understand the challenges facing each Province with respect to the post- school education and training needs
The National Skills Authority (NSA), together with the Limpopo Provincial Skills Development Forum (PSDF) successfully hosted the last leg of the public hearings on the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) at Polokwane in Limpopo.
Limpopo was the ninth last province to host the 2016 NSA and PSDF public hearings.
The other public hearings were held as follows:
| PROVINCE | DATE |
| GAUTENG | 24 February 2016 |
| EASTERN CAPE | 25 February 2016 |
| WESTERN CAPE | 26 February 2016 |
| NORTH WEST | 29 February 2016 |
| MPUMALANGA | 03 March 2016 |
| NORTHERN CAPE | 07 March 2016 |
| FREE STATE | 11 March 2016 |
| KZN | 14 March 2016 |
These public hearings have indeed provided an opportunity to the NSA and its constituencies to consult and engage on matters that will ultimately inform the vision of the NSDS and SETA landscape within the context of an integrated and differentiated post school education and training system beyond the year 2018.
Limpopo delegates emphasised that the proposed changes should improve effectiveness and efficiency of the system and not lead to job losses.
Representatives from SETAs, Government, Business, Education and Training Providers, Community Constituencies, Professional Bodies, Unions and the general public made part of today’s consultations on the NSDS and SETA landscape beyond 2018. Stakeholders were encouraged to submit their written submissions as per the government notice issued on 10 November 2015.
The NSA will conclude the consultation process with a roundtable to be held on 05 April 2016. The roundtable discussion is aimed at playing a special role of allocating an open platform of directly engaging views from specialised skills development bodies or oganisations in a robust manner.