Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)

Please note: South Africa and its network of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are currently in the process of becoming full members of INSSO.

The following article outlines the main strategic context. You can find out further information about SETAs in INSSOs publications, click here

There are millions of people throughout South Africa who want and need to learn new skills. Some are learners who are still at school or in college. Others are already employed but need to improve the skills that they have and also learn new ones.

Skills Context in South Africa

There are an estimated 4.3-million people who are unemployed: most have little training and few skills. More than half of the Grade 12 learners who leave school every year don’t have sufficient basic skills to get work in any sector of the economy. At any one time there are as many as 7000 graduates who have university degrees who are also unemployed. All these figures could be higher.

So it is clear that skills development, along with training and education are vital elements for the people in South Africa and for the economy.

The new SETA landscape in South Africa

In November 2009 Mr. Thabo Mashongoane announced that his department, the Department of Higher Education and Training, would assume responsibility for skills development that had previously been controlled by the Department of Labour. In a statement, he acknowledged that:

• There were negative perceptions about the performance, management and governance of the SETAs
• There was an inadequate alignment of industry needs relating to the provision of training and skills development, particularly in relating to artisans and technicians
• When the industrial policy action plan was finalised, his department would align skills development efforts to support the implementation of the plan.

In April 2010 Mr. Mashongoane announced the proposed new SETA landscape and a draft framework for a new National Skills Development Strategy to be implemented between March 2011 and March 2016.

It is anticipated that the new SETA landscape will result in:

• Fifteen of the existing SETAs being recertified with minor changes.
• Six new SETAs being formed as a result of the amalgamation of existing SETAs or sub-sectors of existing SETAs.
• A reduction in the total number of SETAs from 23 to 21.

South Africa’s latest Minister for SETAs is Dr. Blade Nzimande. His department’s most recent and third National Skills Strategy states:

“On 1 April 2011, the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) will enter a new phase. During this new phase we will make some fundamental changes to the leadership, governance and strategy of the SETAs in order to meet the objectives of NSDS III and improve their functioning and performance. We also intend to set up a comprehensive performance monitoring, evaluation and support system for all our education, training and skills development institutions, with a particular focus on the SETAs and public FET colleges.

The real value added by SETAs is their understanding of labour market issues in their respective industrial and economic sectors. SETAs must ensure that they are backed by employers and workers, are acknowledged as a credible and authoritative voice on skills, create interventions and shape solutions that address skills needs within their sectors. SETAs must become recognised experts in relation to skills demand within their sector. Their role in helping monitor quality on the supply side remains, but will reduce as other institutions, such as the QCTO, are established.”

Contact

For more information on Sector Education and Training Authorities, please see the following links:

Website: http://www.vocational.co.za

Email: Raymond Patel, CEO of  merSETA, rpatel@merseta.org.za