25-OCT-12·	National skills development strategy in disarray
	Posted by | seta
	This past week’s national round of Association for Skills Development in South Africa (ASDSA) roadshows achieved its objectives of answering vexing questions, writes Jim Freeman, but that didn’t leave attendees entirely happy with what they learned.

01-MAR-12·	Pioneering agreement signed by EWSETA
	Posted by | seta
	The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EWSeta and Sanaco is the first such MoU between Sanaco and any of the 21 Setas and therefore, of great significance to the development, support and promotion of co-operatives in the country.

26-JUL-11·	Rolling back the skills revolution
	Posted by | seta
	Some people think higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande is in cloud-cuckooland when he gets up on his soapbox and berates the Setas for providing predominantly “short courses”. Jim Freeman believes he’s sort of telling the truth.

25-JUL-11·	The challenges are 'disheartening' - Nzimande
	Posted by | seta
	Minister Blade Nzimande told Services Seta stakeholders that his department had learnt a number of lessons in the course of resolving the three-month dispute over changes to the way Setas are to be run. "Courts must never be the solution for skills development," he said, promising better communication in the future.

07-JUL-11·	Services Seta battle ends with a truce
	Posted by | seta
	The tit-for-tat legal battle between the Services Seta and Minister Blade Nzimande has come to an end. Both parties have agreed to a dissolve the current council and put in place a new governing body, headed by Minister Nzimande's appointee, Dr Sihle Moon. Nzimande has agreed to withdraw the appeals against two court decisions that found he had acted unlawfully in making changes to the Seta management.

22-APR-11·	Services Seta placed under administration
	Posted by | seta
	Acting Director-General, Gwebinkundla Qonde has placed the Services Seta under administration, and ordered the transfer of all funds in the Services Seta bank account to be transferred to the National Skills Fund.

19-APR-11·	Seta infighting causes confusion
	Posted by | seta
	"Who do we report to regarding changes, new Setas allocated or old Ssetas?" The stalemate between Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal and Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande has left many feeling abandoned and confused.

15-APR-11·	Seta cat-fight - skills development the loser
	Posted by | seta
	Skills development and the Setas have been rocked by scandals and crises galore over the past decade. But while there is great need for better governance of the sector education and training authorities, writes Jim Freeman, you don’t break the law to enforce it.

14-APR-11·	Unions want Ivor Blumenthal dismissed
	Posted by | seta
	Trade union Nehawu has come out against embattled Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal, calling for his immediate dismissal. At a Services Seta press conference Blumenthal announced that the organisation was considering legal action against the Higher Education and Training Minister over changes to Seta governance. Since then there has been little public support for Blumenthal, with Cosatu, Nehawu and the SACP publicly criticising his actions. Business grouping Busa has also been unsupportive, publicly announcing that they did not support the Services Seta's plans for legal action.

14-APR-11·	Communist party not after Seta funds
	Posted by | seta
	The SA Communist Party has denied claims that Blade Nzimande is trying to get access to Seta funds so that he can syphen them off to the SACP. Setas report to Nzimande's Department of Higher Education and Training and he also serves as Secretary General of the SACP. Services Seta boss Ivor Blumenthal has alleged that he has been approached twice to fund the SACP. A claim the communist party reject.

08-APR-11·	Services Seta protests 'unlawful' action
	Posted by | seta
	The Services Seta has threatened to take legal action against the Higher Education and Training Minister, Blade Nzimande, because they have been advised that his recent actions are unlawful. The services sector training authority is refuses the sign the sample constitution supplied by the department: the fourth version that they have received from the department.

05-APR-11·	New independent Seta chairpersons announced
	Posted by | seta
	Minister Blade Nzimande promised that it wouldn't be 'business as usual' at the Setas under his watch and he has kept his word. In a major shake-up of Seta governance the Minister of Higher Education and Training has announced the names of the independent chairpersons of the Seta boards. Other changes promised by the Minister include the involvement of his office, and the national Cabinet, in the appointment of Seta CEOs.

24-JAN-11·	Adding value to the lives of others
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset (the Seta for the financial sector) is making a positive contribution to one of South Africa’s greatest challenges, that of creating opportunities for the 2,5 million young South Africans aged between 18 to 24, who are unemployed and South Africa’s additional 200 000 unemployed graduates.

08-DEC-10·	Drastic changes to Seta operations
	Posted by | seta
	Higher Education and Training Minister has introduced “drastic changes” to the way that Setas operate. Blade Nzimande slammed some Setas for taking the government to court and insisted that the Setas will become partners of his department in implementing the will of government.

27-NOV-10·	Workplace experience grant assists FET learners
	Posted by | seta
	The W&RSeta has launched a project to ensure FET College learners gain valuable work experience before finishing their formal studies in the wholesale and retail sector. Western Cape MEC Alan Winde emphasised that without work, skills mean nothing and that unless there was economic growth, poverty would remain.

26-NOV-10·	Seta supports entertainment masterclass
	Posted by | seta
	The Entertainment Master Class is an industry initiative to upskill the film industry, and the Services Seta helped to bring the event to South Africa. "We may let one or other academic in, but the basic idea is that the industry knows what it needs and can educate its own talent in the search for its own new ideas," says Christoph Fet the EMC director.

10-NOV-10·	New Seta landscape
	Posted by | seta
	The Minister of Higher Education and Training has announced the Seta landscape for the next five years.

09-NOV-10·	New Seta Landscape announced
	Posted by | seta
	After more than six months of discussion and delay, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande this morning revealed the Seta landscape for phase three of the National Skills development Strategy. Jim Freeman reports on the Minister's announcement. View full statement here

03-SEP-10·	Summits plot future for FET Colleges and Setas
	Posted by | seta
	"I’ve heard a lot of things that have, as they say in business-speak, 'resonated' with me in this past decade that I’ve been writing about skills development, writes Jim Freeman, "some for the right and others for the wrong reasons. Here’s one that got me twitchy recently".

23-AUG-10·	Nice day for a shotgun marriage
	Posted by | seta
	One of the most contentious provisions of the third phase of the National Skills Development Strategy is that Setas forge far closer links with public further education and training (FET) institutions than was previously the case. Jim Freeman attended a summit where the two parties signed a collaboration agreement in the Western Cape.

18-AUG-10·	Colleges urged to connect with companies
	Posted by | seta
	The Minister of Higher Education and Training was in attendance to witness a skills development 'marriage' as the Western Cape FET Colleges and 19 of the Setas pledged to work together more closely in the future.

11-AUG-10·	Hard work, perseverance and dedication pay off
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset CEO Cheryl James says it is always very gratifying to hear about learner successes, and even more so when it is a Grade 12 beneficiary of a Fasset-funded Development Programme. Hajierah Tambay grasped the opportunity to rewrite matric Maths and Accounting in 2003, and is now firmly on track to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

19-JUL-10·	Seta landscape puzzle starts to fall into place
	Posted by | seta
	Pieces of the NSDS3 and Seta landscape puzzle are beginning to fall into place and it seems, writes Jim Freeman, that the final picture might not be quite the same as the one on the box.

24-JUN-10·	Every silver lining has a dark cloud
	Posted by | seta
	Government has proposed cutting the number of Setas from 23 to 21 for phase three of the National Skills Development Strategy, saying there have been no major structural changes to the economy to provoke a drastic reduction. With their fears allayed of having their numbers chopped to ten or even five, you think they’d be happy but that’s not entirely the case, writes Jim Freeman.

29-APR-10·	The New Seta Landscape
	Posted by | seta

29-APR-10·	Six new Setas to be formed
	Posted by | seta
	Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has announced the new-look Seta landscape. 15 of the current Setas are to be recertified from April 2011 with only minor changes - and six new Setas are to be formed.

25-MAR-10·	Nzimande fights University and Seta corruption
	Posted by | seta
	Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has taken a strong stand against any corruption in the education and training sector.

19-NOV-09·	Food manufacturers look forward to growth
	Posted by | seta
	South Africa is over the worst of the global economic downturn, but attention to input costs should remain a priority for manufacturers. This was the message of economist Mike Schussler during a presentation FoodBev Seta conference at Sun City.

05-NOV-09·	Important role for both public and private providers
	Posted by | seta
	The movement of the Setas to the Department of Higher Education and Training will house them within the same department as FET Colleges and universities. While the Department is pushing for greater collaboration between Setas and public institutions - including more money allocated to them from the skills development coffers - Director-General Mary Metcalfe confirmed that her department still sees an important role for private training providers.

05-NOV-09·	Setas to work more closely with FET Colleges
	Posted by | seta
	FET colleges will work more closely with the Setas to help put students on one-year workplace placement programmes, according to Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande. He added that the greatest weakness in the country’s skills system was the lack of alignment between FET colleges and Setas.

04-NOV-09·	Skills strategy - and Seta mandates - extended for one year
	Posted by | seta
	Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, has announced that the mandate of all the 23 current Setas will be extended for one year until March 2011. The National Skills Development Strategy 3, that was to be implemented in April 2010 with the new Seta arrangements, will now only commence in April 2011.

27-OCT-09·	Government wants 20% of youth at FET Colleges
	Posted by | seta
	The government focus on skills and training over the medium term includes a target of increasing enrollment at FET Colleges to equal 20% of young people. They also hope to increase the number of industrial and related apprenticeships and learnerships in scarce skills areas to 350 000 learners.

14-OCT-09·	Recession hampers insurance sector transformation
	Posted by | seta
	Data just released by the Insurance Seta has revealed the insurance sector in South Africa is largely weathering the worst effects of the economic recession – but there is still a danger that transformation imperatives could be put on the back-burner as training budgets are cut.

29-SEP-09·	Seta Voice debates future of Setas
	Posted by | seta
	The inaugural Inter-Seta Conference is underway in Midrand. Seta CEOs, staff and stakeholders have been discussing the most effective strategies for Setas in the current economic climate.

07-JUL-09·	Seta clustering: who wants to face the firing squad?
	Posted by | seta
	Negotiations are still underway about how many Setas will take skills development forward for the next five years. It looks likely that there will be fewer than the current 23, but which ones will fall away? Jim Freeman wonders aloud which Seta CEOs might be facing the firing squad!

27-MAY-09·	Productivity on the rise after the Services SETA introduces programme into workplace
	Posted by | seta
	Services Seta has been piloting a cognitive enrichment programme in three distinct target markets in their sector since 2007. Since then, they have trained in excess of 400 practitioners of this learning methodology in the country, and this year in June they are hosting a 2-day conference to some of the country's best teachers, trainers, HR practitioners, policy makers and therapists.

21-APR-09·	Fasset signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Sci-Bono
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset and Sci-Bono work together to promote maths, science and tech careers in South Africa, reaching 4000 grade 11 and 12 learners and providing them information on careers in the Fasset sector.

14-APR-09·	Is your office in chaos?
	Posted by | seta
	As a training provider, it's easy to get overwhelmed with people, paper and figures heading in and out of your office. A Learning Management System is a simplified filing system, compiler, planner and reporter, all in one.

05-MAR-09·	merSeta creates R80m safety net for retrenchees
	Posted by | seta
	Plummeting demand for goods and commodities, means significant job losses are on the cards in South Africa’s manufacturing sector. Jim Freeman spoke to merSeta CEO Dr Raymond Patel about what the authority could do to cushion the blow.

04-MAR-09·	Ivor's comments do hold some water
	Posted by | seta
	In many instances, employers manipulate figures and information to ensure that they can get access to skills funding via the SETA’s irrespective of whether it is actually achievable.

15-JAN-09·	What will Setas look like in 2009?
	Posted by | seta
	There is much speculation about what the Seta landscape will look like post 2010. All Setas were licensed to operate until 31 March 2010 so in the coming months plans will need to be finalised for the next five year period. Fasset CEO Cheryl James shares some thoughts on the way forward.

14-JAN-09·	Would you like some money from your Seta?
	Posted by | seta
	Credit crunch, economic downturn, financial meltdown – we all know times are tough. Companies traditionally focus on cost-cutting, but have you considered bringing in extra resources from your Seta? Here are some examples of the projects Setas are offering.

20-OCT-08·	Declaration of the alliance economic summit
	Posted by | seta
	The Alliance Economic Summit met on the 17th and 18th October. The focus of our Summit was to consolidate the economic policy perspectives that will inform our common election manifesto as we move towards an ANC-led election campaign in the coming months. The ANC government, with a renewed popular mandate, must be able to hit the ground running after next year's elections.

30-SEP-08·	Scarce skills guide should lead to more informed career choices
	Posted by | seta
	The finance Seta, Fasset, has developed a scarce skills guide for its sector with the aim of assisting educationalists, learners, parents policymakers and education & training providers in identifying and understanding which skills are in short supply in the sector.

17-SEP-08·	Teta holds 8th AGM
	Posted by | seta
	Minsiter of Transport Jeff Radebe will be the keynote speaker at the 8th annual general meeting of the transport Seta, Teta.

02-SEP-08·	Setas have made a difference
	Posted by | seta
	Some politicians continually call for Setas to be scrapped - claiming they have been ineffective. The CEO of the finance Seta, Fasset rejects these charges. "It is misleading to say that few Setas have achieved concrete results. A close scrutiny of Seta achievements confirms that Setas have collectively accomplished a great deal and are indeed addressing skills needs.”

26-JUL-08·	Seta training
	Posted by | seta
	Seta training is the term often used to refer to unit standard-aligned training with a workplace focus. Seta training isn't the correct term however. Setas themselves don't deliver training, but they are responsible for accrediting companies who do.

21-JUL-08·	Tourism Seta to train 28 000 workers
	Posted by | seta
	At least 28 000 tourism industry employees are to benefit from a new tourism Seta Abet programme, which is part of plans to boost the country's skills base particularly among the black youth and women. Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka launched the programme and hailed its role in addressing the skills shortage and the high level of unemployment.

19-JUN-08·	Nation building through skills development
	Posted by | seta
	“Setas have a key role to play in assisting South African companies to meet economic growth and job creation targets," explains Fasset CEO, Cheryl James. "By improving finance, accounting and management consulting skills, Fasset is not only contributing to the sound functioning of the economy, but to nation building.”

19-JUN-08·	Eskom to open their own University
	Posted by | seta
	State electricity utility Eskom will spend R800 million per year running its own tertiary institution to train its staff in the hope of reducing its skills shortage. Lack of skills at the utility has been partly blamed for the country's electricity crisis. The Eskom Corporate University, as it is temporarily known, is an extension of the existing Eskom Learning Institution (ELI).

17-JUN-08·	Award for chemical industries Seta
	Posted by | seta
	A merit award was conferred on the chemical industries Seta, Chieta, in recognition of consistent attainment of a standard of excellence in the practice of co-operative education. The award was received by Rajen Naidoo, Regional Manager of KZN/E Cape, on behalf of Chieta at the “Co-Operative Education@work” conference, held recently in Durban.

09-JUN-08·	Twenty learners graduate from CAT Programme
	Posted by | seta
	It was a very proud moment for the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), Fasset (the Seta for Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services) and ORT South Africa when the first tranche of twenty learners recently graduated from the five-week CAT Work Readiness Programme.

22-MAY-08·	Minister caught up in Seta in-fighting
	Posted by | seta
	Public Service and Adminsitration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi has become involved in the in-fighting between stakeholders at the media Seta, Mappp. She is to be sanctioned by the President but has been found to be innocent of charges of corruption.

20-MAY-08·	When business coaches come a-knocking
	Posted by | seta
	Consultants at the Centre for Conscious Leadership (CCL), a South African networked consulting organisation specializing in leadership learning and transformation, say the trend is growing, driven by the positive results gained by both individuals and companies.

19-MAY-08·	Should the Seta's be replaced
	Posted by | seta
	One would have hoped that with the skills crises in South Africa spanning so many decades, someone at the higher echelons of the education and training arena would by now have had the courage to make the long overdue announcement that.

23-APR-08·	Setas are in need of a major reshuffle
	Posted by | seta
	I am afraid to burst anyone’s bubble, however the seta’s are already doing toooo little. To have a course accredited involves far too much red tape.

21-APR-08·	SETA's expected to do too much?
	Posted by | seta
	I believe that SETA’s are largely run by the need for Power and not the need to do something about skills gaps. In most cases the DOE and the DOL have a power play going on as to who controls education and qualifications. (My view is the DOE is responsible and accountable).

18-APR-08·	Making better SETAs
	Posted by | seta
	Much have already been said about the performance of SETAs and much will still be said.I read the article by Jim Freeman with interest, searching for solutions.

18-APR-08·	Seta does not assist the small business
	Posted by | seta
	Entrepeneurs and private facilitators cannot afford the cost of having a consultant align the programmes and submit all documents in " SETA Speak". Then with the backlog,feedback takes a lot of time and in the interim they cannot get work.

17-APR-08·	But the emperor has no clothes!
	Posted by | seta
	In the final article of this three-part series, Jim Freeman reflects Nedlac’s views on Seta capacity, monitoring and performance management. He discusses some of the implications of the draft amendments to the Skills Development Act and comes up with a couple of ideas of his own.

10-APR-08·	Are Seta mandatory grants set for the scrapheap?
	Posted by | seta
	In the second of his three-part analysis of the Nedlac Review into Seta Performance and Functioning and the changing skills development landscape, Jim Freeman highlights the role of Seta grants. Are those Mandatory Grants on the way out?

31-MAR-08·	Seta performance: strengthening the more rickety structures
	Posted by | seta
	Three years into the second phase of the National Skills Development Strategy, Nedlac has identified a number of areas in which the Setas can improve their performance and functioning. In the first of a three-part series, regular Skills Portal contributor Jim Freeman looks at some of the issues raised in the Nedlac review and looming on the skills development horizon.

17-MAR-08·	Property group invests millions in agent training
	Posted by | seta
	Over the next three years the Pam Golding Property group will invest in excess of R30 million in training all its agents. The aim is to ensure that they are fully compliant with the requirements of the new national curriculum for education and training and meet the growing demands of an increasingly demanding and sophisticated marketplace, according to CE Dr Andrew Golding.

17-MAR-08·	The Big Conference: Time for a value reassessment ?
	Posted by | seta
	"Big conferences are back in fashion. Many are presented by organisations that are in the conference business rather than in the business of education and training, and so have the profit motive as their driver," comments Malcolm Birkin. "Shouldn't they be trying to find the best route for the dissemination of information - rather than profit, as their primary objective?" he asks.

13-MAR-08·	Food industry employers spending more on training
	Posted by | seta
	A recent Foodbev Seta roadshow informed delegates that within their sector equivalent of 0.54% of payroll was spent on training and development in 2003. This rose in 2007 to 0.92%. While this increase is impressive it is still far short of the 7% spent by German companies on people development.

12-MAR-08·	Setas urged to assist disabled people
	Posted by | seta
	The Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) should develop a common vision around strategies aimed at assisting disabled people to access the highest skills empowerment opportunities, says Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana.

12-MAR-08·	SME training voucher project launched
	Posted by | seta
	The manufacturing Seta, Merseta, has launched an SME training voucher project which will distribute R1,5 million's worth of training vouchers in its pilot phase. The Seta has set aside R90 million to support SMEs up to 2010.

03-MAR-08·	New CEO for the construction Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The construction Seta, Ceta, has appointed Petrus Mawuku as the training authority's new CEO. Chairperson Narius Moloto praised Mawuku as, "one of the pioneers in the development of the Setas and the Construction Charter for transformation who has many years of experience on how the Setas operate".

28-FEB-08·	Another Seta to be placed under administration?
	Posted by | seta
	The Department of Labour will be recommending that further Setas should be placed under administration, following the move against the media Seta last year that has lead to a stabilisation of the affairs at the troubled training authority. But the construction Seta, Ceta, have denied the claims from the Labour Department.

27-FEB-08·	National Qualifications Framework Bill
	Posted by | seta
	Big changes are in store for the legislative framework that guides education and training in the country. Des Squire is feeling excited about the proposed changes, particularly the streamling of the quality assurance function and an end to the arguments about who owns what qualification! He outlines the proposed changes in more detail.

21-FEB-08·	Mehl: Employers must promote workplace learning
	Posted by | seta
	At the Workplace Learning conference, presented by the chemical industry Seta, Chieta, employers were challenged to participate in the processes that will lead to a new-look Seta landscape. There are many changes in store for the skills landscape over the coming years and they have the potential to energise the 'skills revolution'.

13-FEB-08·	Seta CEO appears in court
	Posted by | seta
	Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown made another brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, along with the suspended chief executive of the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta), Dr Piet Bothma.

23-JAN-08·	What is the role of the union rep in the skills development committee?
	Posted by | seta
	One reader wants to know what the role of the union rep should be on the skills development committee. "I am asking that question because the union that I deal with is always objecting to everything". In our Asked and Answered feature we provide both the legal and the practical answer.

15-JAN-08·	Police close to arrest on Seta hoax email
	Posted by | seta
	A hoax email purporting to come from the Local Government Seta has misled many aspirant job seekers with promises of guaranteed employment with the police after completing a training programme. The Seta has called in the police in an effort to track down the fraudsters behind the scheme.

15-JAN-08·	Assessor Training Programme
	Posted by | seta
	COOL IDEAS runs Assessor training as a public course, on a monthly basis or as an in-house course, provided there is a minimum of 5 learners.

30-NOV-07·	New Programme Launched for Developing Management Skills in the Events Industry.
	Posted by | seta
	The first programme of its kind to run at a local business school, it will play a role in building capacity so that South Africa can host 2010 FIFA World Cup events with aplomb and also fully capitalise on event hosting opportunities post-2010.

01-NOV-07·	Opposition calls for entire skills system to be scrapped
	Posted by | seta
	Democratic Alliance Labour spokesperson Anchen Dreyer is proposing that the entire skills development landscape should be razed and a new system put in place.

30-OCT-07·	Creative industry stakeholders to discuss involvement with Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The media Seta, Mappp, has been placed under administration and procedures will be put in place to develop a new constitution for the training authority. Members of the creative industries will be meeting on the 8th November to discuss the best way for them to work with the Seta in the future.

26-OCT-07·	We are an NPO and accreditation has been a painful process
	Posted by | seta
	Do not know if I should say "YES!" or "Oh no!"!!! We are an NPO organization in the process of accreditation with HWSETA. As everyone, who walked this road, will know, it is a long and painful process.

25-OCT-07·	Towards a Department of Learning
	Posted by | seta
	A radical change to the education and training landscape will see workplace learning boosted with the establishment of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. The Department of Labour will control the generation of qualifications and quality assurance of providers. So should DoL now stand for Department of Learning?

23-OCT-07·	Setas-can there be a better way?
	Posted by | seta
	As mentioned before - whilst the Seta concept may have certain good characteristics - one must look at the whole process.

22-OCT-07·	Running of Setas -Not the unions
	Posted by | seta
	Definetly not the Unions. They don't understand the concept of Skills Development and how important it is to train the employees.

22-OCT-07·	Fasset impresses on the learnership front
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset has recently completed its seventh year of operation and the Seta continues to impress on the learnership front. “Demand for Accounting, Management Consulting and Other Financial Services skills is high in our growing economy and this is reflected in the number of learners signed onto learnerships.

22-OCT-07·	How Setas should be run
	Posted by | seta
	I can comment only on MERSETA, the Seta operating in the Metal and Engineering industry. I think Merseta is doing good work. There are a few comments that I would like to make :

22-OCT-07·	Setas - The CEO makes all the difference
	Posted by | seta
	In my opinion, having had experience with the Services Seta,Ceta, Chieta and Merseta, as well as the Department of Labour, it is the person who is the visionary and who leads the team that makes the difference.

22-OCT-07·	Changes to skills setup!!
	Posted by | seta
	A third question must then be asked: Which jobs are we talking? And the answer can be: scarce and critical jobs within the first and second economies.

22-OCT-07·	Who should run Setas ?
	Posted by | seta
	Using the example of a swinging coo-coo clock it always swing near the middle. The Union: the unions when they used to run management they push the indicator way back to the far left, and management use the push it way back to the right. There are no half way about the business of things, they’d figured one of them should definitely get the benefit of it.

11-OCT-07·	Are companies serious about training and skill development?
	Posted by | seta
	After 20 years in the corporate world I have come to the conclusion that most (Not All) companies are not serious about training or Skills development. This is not because they don’t care, I think most do, but it’s a question of training not being seen as a core or strategic function.

11-OCT-07·	NO confidence in the Setas
	Posted by | seta
	I was involved in the initial roll out of the National Certificate in Recruitment Consulting. I wrote the initial recruitment Unit Standards and was contracted within the pilot program to do the actual recruitment training. The objective of the program was to train 100 previously disadvantaged learners.

11-OCT-07·	Mappp stakeholders reassured
	Posted by | seta
	The Department of Labour and PricewaterhouseCoopers have issued a statement to reassure stakeholders in the media and printing sector that the business of the Mappp Seta will continue. This week the board and constition of the Seta was suspended and an administrator appointed.

11-OCT-07·	Failure of Setas
	Posted by | seta
	Thank you for your invitation to respond to "the idea embodied in the legislation of employers and employees in the sector coming together to run their own training initiatives, in their own best interests, has failed." I speak as a service provider who has been involved for several years in provider and assessor accredition processes.

11-OCT-07·	Should we give up on Setas being run by big business?
	Posted by | seta
	My opinion is that the initial aims of the skills strategy have been side lined and that SETA’s have become involved in a fight between the Department of Education and The department of labour. They both (DOL and DOE), want the glory for saving the lost souls in the battle for education.

09-OCT-07·	Bernard-Fryer welcomes move against Seta board
	Posted by | seta
	Former CEO of the Mappp Seta, Melanie Bernard-Fryer has welcomed the decision of the Minister of Labour to suspend the operation of the Seta board. “I welcome this vindication of my efforts to institute an forensic audit of the Seta - which lead to my unlawful dismissal," she tells the Skills Portal.

09-OCT-07·	Minister suspends Seta and appoints administrator
	Posted by | seta
	The Minister of Labour has suspended the board and constitution of the media Seta, (Mappp) and appointed an administrator to take over the functions of the training authority.

05-OCT-07·	write off...or sweep under?
	Posted by | seta
	To my mind the whole thing reeks to high heaven! Who gave the mandate to Seta to use trust money and place it with Fidentia… The Seta’s forget that they are not in the business of making money, but in the business of enriching peoples minds.

02-OCT-07·	Over 1000 learners to join Edcon Retail Academy
	Posted by | seta
	Over 1000 learners have been given the opportunity to pursue studies at the Edcon Retail Academy, through a sponsorship from the Wholesale and Retail Seta. Speaking at the launch of South Africa’s new corporate university, Edcon Chief Executive Officer Steve Ross said plans are in place to change the face of retail.

26-SEP-07·	Should Teta Seta be writing off R254 million?
	Posted by | seta
	The Chairperson of the transport Seta, Teta, told parliament that the organisation would be writing off R254 million lost as a result of the collapse of the Fidentia group. Des Squire doestn't think this is a good idea? What about the employers in the sector who contributed the money in the first place? Shouldn't they have a say?

17-SEP-07·	Why Setas make use of assessors and moderators for quality assurance
	Posted by | seta
	Ivor Blumenthal sees the assessors and moderators operating within the services sector as, 'the true soldiers for skills development in this country". While some might argue that a good assessor can assess learners in any subject - the Services Seta CEO believes that a 'constituency' system brings greater accountability.

23-AUG-07·	Assessor registration is still causing problems
	Posted by | seta
	What is happening with assessor accreditations? Tass Schwab asks what you are supposed to do when your hands are tied in red tape...

23-AUG-07·	Seta CEO wants continuous improvement for assessors
	Posted by | seta
	The CEO of the ETDP Seta, Nombulelo Nxesi, has called on all assessors to undertake continual professional development to ensure that their skills are always up to date. Nxesi was speaking to 200 delegates at the Assessment Conference in Midrand.

06-AUG-07·	Teta boss arrested
	Posted by | seta
	CEO of the Transport Seta, Teta, Dr Piet Bothma, has been arrested and has appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court and was released on R200 000 bail. He will appear in court again alongside former Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown and Graham Maddock on August 31.

30-JUL-07·	People development moves up government agenda
	Posted by | seta
	President Thabo Mbeki has announced that national Human Resource Development Strategy is to be improved. The strategy was approved by cabinet in 2001 but was not received much attention in recent years. Ways to improve people development in South Africa could include aligning the work of Setas to national priorities such as Asgisa and the industrial development strategy.

25-JUL-07·	Curators link Brown's home to missing Teta millions
	Posted by | seta
	According to papers filed by curators Dines Gihwala and George Papadakis, the luxury home owned by ex-Fidentia boss J Arthur W Brown and his wife Susan was more than likely to have been financed by money invested in Fidentia by the Transport Seta.

09-JUL-07·	Setas' credibility crisis: proposing a solution
	Posted by | seta
	According to Sue von Hirschfeld, Director of Positive Charge International, Setas place too much emphasis on training, training content and outcome, at the expense of the learner and the learning process. In other words, in our drive towards outcome-based training, we are in danger of forgetting how important it is to worry about the journey.

26-JUN-07·	Something for the clothing sector to smile about
	Posted by | seta
	There doesn’t seem to be much good news for owners of businesses in the fraught clothing and textiles sector these days. However, the tidings that several technical experts from Europe are headed for South Africa to present a series of workshops designed to bring them up to speed with the latest developments in the field is sure to crack a relieved smile or two.

12-JUN-07·	CEO suspended over Fidentia investment
	Posted by | seta
	The Transport Seta board has suspended its CEO Dr Piet Bothma after receiving a preliminary audit report from KPMG. Bothma’s ‘compulsory leave’ comes after links he had with the failed investment company came to light.

16-MAY-07·	Setas cause learnership problems
	Posted by | seta
	"The criteria for application and allocation of funds for the implementation of learnerships differ so drastically from Seta to Seta its just not funny. Yes legislation is vague and allows the SETA’s to determine criteria for allocating funding and I therefore the reason for calling it discretionary funds".

06-MAY-07·	I would say a definite NO to union control of Setas!
	Posted by | seta
	Let the Setas continue existing only as a administrative / reporting function to which employers send WSP's and ATR's (which proves that we have spent adequate funds on training) and pay them a much smaller fee (if any) for the admin.

06-MAY-07·	Seta cash flows must be tempting for anyone to put their hand in the till
	Posted by | seta
	Setas are cash cows. There is a manifest opportunity for the Setas to rake in the cash for their staff and service providers. The high cash flows must be tempting for anyone to put their hand in the till and for gross accounting and governance errors. The Fidentia issue demonstrates what can happen without tight controls.

02-MAY-07·	Finance Minister urges unionists to fight Seta corruption
	Posted by | seta
	Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has told trade union members that they should use their influence in the Setas to root out corruption. Speaking to a Workers Day gathering of Nactu (the National Council of Trade Unions) and Fedusa (Federation of Unions of South Africa) at Athlone Civic Centre Tuesday, Manuel also urged the unionists to ensure that skills are developed in order to bring about job creation.

12-APR-07·	NSF support needed to address big challenges
	Posted by | seta
	“We have applied to the National Skills Fund for additional funds to conduct learnerships on three separate occasions and have been refused each time" says CTFL Seta CEO, Dr Hoosen Rasool. "This is very strange, as the Presidency has identified the sector as having great potential for growth and creating permanent employment.” “We can create more jobs at a lower cost and faster rate and on a greater scale than most industrial sectors”, Rasool adds.

29-MAR-07·	Printing industry defends itself against 'malicious and unsubstantiated' claims
	Posted by | seta
	The Printing Industries Federation of South Africa (Pifsa) has issued a statement defending itself against allegations of financial irregularities made by other stakeholders in the Mappp Seta. Pifsa owns the Cross Media Training Centre which is at the centre of allegations about funding irregularities. Pifsa state that the allegations are "malicious and unsubstantiated" and that their sector is the largest contributor of funds to the Mappp Seta.

14-MAR-07·	Court finds Setas can impose additional rules before paying out grants
	Posted by | seta
	A Labour Court ruling has found that it is acceptable for Setas to impose additional restrictions on companies before they receive their mandatory grant repayments. In a case brought by All Man Labour Services, Judge Revelas found that it was acceptable for the Services Seta to introduce additional criteria that companies had to meet

14-MAR-07·	Creative industry protests over Seta mismanagement and financial irregularities
	Posted by | seta
	The SA Screen Federation has called on the Minister of Labour to use his power under the Skills Development Act to take over the administration of the Mappp Seta. The stakeholders have a range of complaints, including financial mismanagement. A protest action will be held outside the Seta office on Friday the 16th March.

14-MAR-07·	Creative industry body calls on Labour Minister to take over running of media Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The SA Screen Federation is calling on the Minister of Labour to immediately take over the administration of the media Seta, MAPPP. The industry body, representing 20 000 individuals and 450 businesses in the sector, has highlighted many financial irregularites exposed by the Auditor General and an independent forensic report. We have published their letter to the Minister in full.

06-MAR-07·	Setas have R3,8billion in bank accounts
	Posted by | seta
	Following the Fidentia debacle, the Department of Labour instituted an audit of all Seta investments and found that R3,8billion was currently under management, most of which was committed to Seta projects. The Labour Minister says that investigations continue into Seta investment policies and 'drastic measures' are being considered by the government to control skills funds.

23-FEB-07·	Seta system is great on paper but very weak in implementation
	Posted by | seta
	In my dealings with the Setas I have found that every Seta, countrywide, have plush, lush offices and employ "scores" of specialised career people. I also believe that the amount of red tape, information, and disinformation is universal.

21-FEB-07·	Financial investigations underway at five Setas
	Posted by | seta
	Labour Department Director General, Dr Vanguard Mkhosana, has confirmed that issues of possible maladministration or corruption are being investigated at five Setas. A broader investigation of investment policies is also underway following a enquiry by Scopa on the legality of Seta investments outside of the Public Investment Corporation.

21-FEB-07·	86 724 employees benefit from skills training
	Posted by | seta
	Accompanying the release of the national budget, and the financial plans for government departments, is an update on the performance of the Setas. Included in the Labour Department's annual plans, the review shows performance against targets set up to 2010, with the Seta system managing to register more than 86 000 workers on learning programmes in the current strategy period.

21-FEB-07·	Fasset incentivises employers by way of a Learnership Cash Grant
	Posted by | seta
	Transformation is a key driver within the Fasset Seta this year. The organisation will once again incentivise SMME and medium-sized employers for signing Black or disabled learners onto Fasset learnerships, by offering a Learnership Cash Grant.

19-FEB-07·	Streamline the structure of Setas
	Posted by | seta
	The answer to many of the country's problems lies in education and training. The Setas are established precisely to address this problem. The role of the Setas are therefore very important and indispensable.

16-FEB-07·	There will always be west and worst Setas
	Posted by | seta
	Setas are various institutions managed by different individuals, thus there will be worst and best run Setas but most of all they are accountable to a body higher than them. There can’t be excuses for wrong investment decisions though, if the Seta staff is not equipped to manage money even more reasons for them to shy away from investing anywhere else but in training where their expertise are.

16-FEB-07·	Looks like the requirements of the PFMA were not met
	Posted by | seta
	The Setas are governed by the Public finance Management Act the objective of which is "To ensure transparency, accountability, sound financial management of the revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of any institutions to which this Act applies". In this instance it appears, on face value, the Transport SETA is guilty of mismanagement of public funds.

16-FEB-07·	Setas do not manage funds correctly
	Posted by | seta
	It is our opinion that the Seta’s do not manage funds correctly, in many cases the different provinces do not even have budgets to work within (according to a senior Seta representative) and this should be of great concern to the public at large.

14-FEB-07·	Labour Dept investigates Seta investment activites
	Posted by | seta
	The Department of Labour has announced that a workshop has been scheduled to investigate the investment activites of all Setas. The meeting is in response to the debacle that has beset the Transport Seta, which invested R245 million with Fidentia Assest Management. Director General of the Department, Dr Vanguard Mkosana said this week that the controversy, "has been an eye opener for us".

12-FEB-07·	‘Misapprehension’ could see Teta lose all its invested funds
	Posted by | seta
	Representatives of the Transport Seta, Teta and their lawyers have met with the curators of the insolvent asset management company Fidentia. The news was not good for Teta and its stakeholders. Even if some of their invested funds can be returned, it will take months or possibly years.

08-FEB-07·	Doubt expressed that Teta funds will be returned
	Posted by | seta
	Although Teta CEO Dr Piet Bothma has publicly expressed confidence that R245 allegedly misappropriated by Fidentia will be returned, members of parliament’s Scopa committee believe that the funds are unlikely to be returned.

02-FEB-07·	Bothma reassures that Seta funds are safe
	Posted by | seta
	Recent media reports have suggested that R245 million invested by the Transport sector training authority (Teta) had been 'misappropriated' by Fidentia Asset Management company. Teta CEO Dr Piet Bothma has responded to the reports and the allegations that the organisation's investment had been misused by the Fidentia boss to cover personal and business expenses.

17-JAN-07·	Funds released for a bigger & better Thusanani Work Readiness Programme
	Posted by | seta
	Representatives from Fasset and a consortium comprising Deloitte, Stanley Hutcheson and Associates (SH-A) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently had good cause to celebrate. The parties signed a contract which will see Fasset provide funding over a two-year period for an additional 400 learners to benefit from the Thusanani Work Readiness Programme.

11-JAN-07·	New CEO for Chieta
	Posted by | seta
	The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta) Board has announced the appointment of Ms Kelebogile Dilotsotlhe as their new CEO. Dilotsotlhe has a strong background in science education and has most recently served as CEO of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a company established as part of a Gauteng Education Department project.

13-DEC-06·	Cheryl James reports on a positive year for Fasset
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset CEO Cheryl James reports that 2006 was a good year for Fasset. "While reaping the fruits of a number of initiatives implemented over the past six years, Fasset continues to innovate and find ways to continually add value to its stakeholders, and strong support for national skills development initiatives,” she says.

15-NOV-06·	Are Setas meeting the needs of the disabled in the workforce?
	Posted by | seta
	Are the needs of the more than 7 million disabled South Africans being met by the Government, Department of Labour, Setas and employers? Are the disabled themselves doing enough in this regard? Fasset CEO Cheryl James asks the questions and shares insight into how her organisation has addressed the issue.

09-NOV-06·	Creating future Marketing and Communications leaders!
	Posted by | seta
	“Studying marketing and communications with a training provider that is not accredited with the Services Seta ETQA means that you are consciously buying a product NOT RECOGNISED by the marketing sector employers as valid or acceptable for employment purposes,” says Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal.

01-NOV-06·	Call for labour recruitment to assist with plant hiring skills shortages
	Posted by | seta
	The Services Seta is calling on the labour recruitment industry to assist in addressing the skills crisis that is facing the plant and equipment hiring industries. There are not enough adequately skilled and or qualified operators in South Africa to meet the needs of plant hire companies and satisfy the construction and manufacturing sector requirements for growth in this country.

20-OCT-06·	Jipsa and Asgisa provide the skills revolution with momentum
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset CEO, Cheryl James believes that the Jipsa and Asgisa initiatives have provided South Africa’s skills revolution with additional momentum. "Fasset welcomes these initiatives and the Seta is not only firmly committed to fast tracking skills development in its sector," she adds.

18-OCT-06·	Fasset adopts a zero tolerance approach to crime
	Posted by | seta
	When the finance Seta, Fasset, was formed six years ago the board took the strategic decision to position the Seta at the bleeding edge of corporate governance within the public sector environment in South Africa. "This decision has stood Fasset in very good stead,” says CEO, Cheryl James.

17-OCT-06·	Bankseta AGM reflects on successful projects
	Posted by | seta
	Bankseta CEO Frank Groenewald told the organisation's recent AGM that wherever his team travelled in the world, people never failed to be impressed by South Africa’s learnership initiative. The Bankseta's excellent placement rates for its Letsema learnership, he added, made it a benchmark for the country.

17-OCT-06·	Top leadership must give it a culture of SERVICE
	Posted by | seta
	The Merseta has lacked top leadership to give it a culture of SERVICE, and has staggered from one CEO to the next.

17-OCT-06·	Appoint people with industry background to Setas
	Posted by | seta
	The function of the SETA will improve if they appoint people with industry background to manage the process and not only people previously from Dept of Education and Dept of Labour.

27-SEP-06·	Successful Seta on track to reach targets
	Posted by | seta
	Hailed by Minister Membathisi Mdladlana as a "Seta success,", Fasset is beginning to enjoy the fruits of many projects it has supported over the past six years, as it reaches NSDS II targets in its first year of delivery.

13-SEP-06·	ABET makes dreams come true
	Posted by | seta
	Although only 3% of learners in the Fasset sector require Adult Basic Education and Training, the Seta is still offering programmes to meet this need. They have been well received by employees from the Deloitte offices in northern Joburg who have found ABET study to be a life-changing experience.

07-SEP-06·	Seta participation by employers jumps to 92%
	Posted by | seta
	The Department of Labour has announced that, with Seta activities now focused on medium and large employers, the participation rate of employers has jumped from 50% to 92%. The Department has also introduced an initiative to develop specific skills development initiatives for small businesses, in collaboration with the Small Enterprise Development Agency - Seda.

30-AUG-06·	Setas can add value outside their industries
	Posted by | seta
	The role of Setas has become more prominent over the past two years. Now Setas must look at how they can add value and create opportunities outside their specific industries, says Fasset CEO Cheryl James.

09-AUG-06·	Regional re-structuring works for Clothing, Textiles Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) Seta has found that they are better able to deliver services to their stakeholders with their new regional structure. While they have been able to convince employers in the sector to continue investing in skills development, even through the current downsizing, they need more funds to really make the difference to their industry that they are capable of.

09-AUG-06·	Fasset urges employers to take on disabled learners
	Posted by | seta
	Out of the 2,25 million disabled people in South Africa, 160 000 have a secondary level qualification and another 65 000 have a tertiary qualification. However unemployment in this group is 99.28%. Fasset Seta CEO Cheryl James says her organisation is taking on the challenge to ensure more people with disabilities are employable in the finance and accounting sector.

02-AUG-06·	Finance Seta steps up their contribution to skills development
	Posted by | seta
	The new head of Fasset's Management Board says that the finance Seta will be stepping up their contribution to skills development. Mpuseng Tlhabane, who has many years experience on the management board, says she hope the Seta will assist small employers to contribute to the national drive for skills development.

26-JUL-06·	New structures to help Fasset deliver to wider audience
	Posted by | seta
	Setas have to handle complex reporting and compliance regimes and keep in touch with their many stakeholder groupings. The responsibilities of reacting to Asgisa and Jipsa are further challenges for the organisations. Fasset Seta has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer to ensure the organisation is well positioned to handle the operational challenges while still leading the way in skills development in their sector.

12-JUL-06·	When is a board not aboard?
	Posted by | seta
	How do Seta management address the needs of their board while still meeting their service level agreements targets from the Department of Labour? Does this make Seta CEOs the servants of two masters? Sylvia Hammond continues her exploration of Seta governance structures.

12-JUL-06·	SA hairdressers achieve gold in world champs
	Posted by | seta
	The SA team of top hairdressers came away from the 2006 International Hairdressing Championships in Moscow, Russia with top awards in a range of categories. The Services Seta supported the team as part of their efforts to ensure local skills are compared against global peers.

12-JUL-06·	Groenewald says success is down to each sector
	Posted by | seta
	"I hold the view that a seta is only as successful as its sector allows or enables it to be", says Bankseta CEO Frank Groenewald. "This implies that the sector must take total ownership for the entity thus ensuring that the Seta will deliver to the sector in a transparent and accountable manner".

12-JUL-06·	James brings Seta boards out from 'under the radar'
	Posted by | seta
	According to Fasset CEO, Cheryl James, Seta management boards have managed to “fly beneath the radar” for a very long time. "One should never lose sight of the fact that Seta CEOs, together with their staff, operate according to Management Board directives," she tells us.

05-JUL-06·	Bankseta CEO flys flag at Canadian conference
	Posted by | seta
	Bankseta CEO, Frank Groenewald, recently presented a paper on the Bankseta's International Executive Development Programme: Canada 2005, and its successes, at the eleventh Global Forum for Executive Development and Action Learning Conference in Montreal, Canada.

28-JUN-06·	W&RSeta introduces Sector Skills Plan research process
	Posted by | seta
	The W&RSeta has started the process of compiling a sector skills plan to address skills shortages in the industry. Price Waterhouse Coopers have been appointed to assist in the process, which aims to promote employment equity and broad-based BEE through skills development.

22-JUN-06·	Minister slams financial mismanagement by Seta staff
	Posted by | seta
	The Minister of Labour has announced that there have been allegations of gross financial mismanagement involving large amounts of money at a Seta that has been described as key to the national drive for economic growth.

08-JUN-06·	Database to gauge scarce skills levels in services sector
	Posted by | seta
	A new database launched by the Services Seta aims to gather accurate information on the level of skills scarcity in their sector. Unemployed or underemployed graduates are invited to list their details on the database which can be accessed by sector employers wishing to fill vacancies for skilled positions.

30-MAY-06·	Nedbank gives full support to Bankseta learnership project
	Posted by | seta
	Nedbank's Ronell Lennert gives Bankseta learners the thumbs up - and has encouraged the government to offer continuous funding for projects such as the Letsema learnership initiative.

10-MAY-06·	Fasset celebrates success and heaps praise on stakeholders
	Posted by | seta
	Finance and accounting Seta, Fasset held a celebratory event to look back at their successful social development projects. While they said they were being a bit ‘smug’, in fact they were quick to heap praise on the stakeholders who partnered them in these ventures.

25-APR-06·	Fasset helps accounting students achieve success
	Posted by | seta
	Support from the financial Seta, Fasset, has seen 51 accounting students who were left without a campus move on to success at the University of Johannesburg. CEO Cheryl James was immediately impressed with the learners' enthusiasm and passion for the future.

05-APR-06·	Fasset assists small non-levy paying companies
	Posted by | seta
	The financial services Seta, Fasset, is offering to assist non-levy paying companies in their sector with grants for training and development. Companies who want to take part must register with Fasset to become eligible for grant funding.

05-APR-06·	Demand for skills in transport sector
	Posted by | seta
	The transport sector in South Africa employs more than 1/2 million people and according to Teta CEO Dr Piet Bothma, is the life blood of a country. In the run-up to 2010, infrastructure is being upgraded and developed so the sector needs more people skilled in transport operations and support functions.

29-MAR-06·	Fasset develops a qualification for debt collectors
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset registered a NQF Level 5 learnership for Debt Collectors in December 2005. “The learnership is a first for the debt collection industry in South Africa. Prior to its development, no formal qualification existed for debt collectors in South Africa,” says Fasset CEO, Cheryl James.

22-MAR-06·	International co-operation agreements for services sector
	Posted by | seta
	The Services Seta has signed international agreements with three territories that will see a number of qualifications falling under its scope achieving international equivalence.

22-MAR-06·	Bankseta to launch a third Training Voucher Scheme
	Posted by | seta
	The Bankseta's training voucher scheme for smaller businesses has been a great success, so the organisation is going to repeat the exercise this year.

15-MAR-06·	Calls for longer term benefits for learnership employers
	Posted by | seta
	Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal supports the retention of the tax deduction for employers running learnerships, but calls for the deduction to be extended over a number of years to encourage permanent employment.

08-MAR-06·	BEE milestone for Publishers’ Association interns project
	Posted by | seta
	The Publishers' Association of South Africa successfully concluded their internships programme and Mappp Seta Chamber Co-ordinator Trish Persad says the project was a success.

08-MAR-06·	Mdladlana calms union fears about skills development
	Posted by | seta
	Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has called on organised labour to support skills development initiatives and not be concerned about their voice in Seta structures.

08-MAR-06·	Making sense of corporate governance in the Services Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The Services Seta has undergone a major restructuring of its governance structures comprising organised business and labour. CEO Ivor Blumenthal explains the thinking behind the changes.

22-FEB-06·	Fasset initiatives reach rural stakeholders
	Posted by | seta
	A Seta doesn't have to have offices in all provinces for their programmes to reach the rural areas. Fasset has received praise from the Minister of Labour for their social development projects in outlying areas in a number of provinces.

22-FEB-06·	Services Seta trains managers to assess competence
	Posted by | seta
	According to Services Seta CEO, Ivor Blumenthal, a good manager uses the National Qualifications Framework standards in the assessment of competency, when appraising performance. His Seta has launched a new programme to promote this practice.

15-FEB-06·	2006 budget underlines subtle shift from welfare to responsibility
	Posted by | seta
	With R41 billion extra to play with, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was able to deliver a budget that will help the poor, lower-income earners and homeowners, amongst others. Shaun Benton reports on the major initiatives introduced by Trevor Manuel.

15-FEB-06·	Changes in tax treatment of Seta grants
	Posted by | seta
	Changes are proposed in the 2006 Budget in the way that Seta grants are dealt with by companies.

01-FEB-06·	Fasset succeeds with National Treasury learners
	Posted by | seta
	While only a small number of employees in the Fasset sector require ABET training, the Seta has not forgotten about them. A training programme at the National Treasury was recently completed.

25-JAN-06·	Treasury questions Services Seta finances
	Posted by | seta
	A national newspaper was the setting for a financial rumpus, with Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal attacking Treasury policies, and Trevor Manuel's spokesperson hitting back by questioning the Services Setas' financial management.

25-JAN-06·	100% for Fasset project
	Posted by | seta
	A Fasset-funded accounting graduate support programme has achieved a 100% pass rate from learners and more than 70% have been placed in employment.

18-JAN-06·	Transport Seta partners with FET Colleges
	Posted by | seta
	The Transport Seta and FET Colleges have joined hands in a groundbreaking partnership that will fast-track the process for learners to have prior learning recognised toward achieving a recognised qualification or unit standards.

18-JAN-06·	Training is wasted on the young
	Posted by | seta
	George Bernard Shaw may have thought that youth was wasted on the young, but Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal believes that, too often, training is wasted on them too.

18-JAN-06·	Bankseta focuses on NSDS targets
	Posted by | seta
	At a recent event for Skills Development Facilitators, Bankseta CEO Frank Groenewald explained how the Seta was aligning itself to meet NSDS targets and continue to play a role in social transformation.

18-JAN-06·	Fasset invests in social development
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset Seta CEO Cheryl James has announced that a further R32m has been allocated by the Seta to social development projects.

14-DEC-05·	Good reasons for Fasset to celebrate
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset has good reason to celebrate: 100 learners recently “graduated” from the Stanley Hutcheson and Associates Work Readiness Pilot Programme, funded by Fasset.

08-DEC-05·	Increasing the number of Black CAs
	Posted by | seta
	Recognising the dire need to increase the number of Black CAs, Fasset has agreed to fund 128 learners on the CTA programme and has provided over R3.9m in funding.

30-NOV-05·	Increasing the pool of management accountants
	Posted by | seta
	The growth of the economy needs skills in all sectors, and one such scarce skill is management accountants who are needed by all businesses. To address this particular short supply, Fasset is working with CIMA to assist matriculants and humanities graduates to get the training and work experience they need to complete their courses.

30-NOV-05·	Bankseta establishes SME department
	Posted by | seta
	Recognising the importance of small and micro enterprises in its sector, the Bankseta has recently established a separate SME Department and developed a SME strategy.

29-NOV-05·	R97.5 million for discretionary grants
	Posted by | seta
	The Wholesale and Retail Seta board has set aside an amount of R97,5 million for discretionary grants to address four priority areas of skills development within the wholesale and retail sector.

24-NOV-05·	Bankseta identifies with international best practice
	Posted by | seta
	The Bankseta has identified research, benchmarking and communication as important areas of focus over the next five years and the Seta has already identified a number of projects to address sector needs in each of these areas.

24-NOV-05·	3 major events for Foobev Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The Foodbev Seta managed to move offices, hold their AGM and run a successful annual conference, all within a week! Highlight of the week was Ben Nhlapo, who recently completed a butchery learnership and was able to give the delegates some interesting insights from the learners' point of view.

23-NOV-05·	Mdladlana opens skills initiative for KZN youth
	Posted by | seta
	The successful Thutuka project that helps young people improve their accounting and maths marks, has been rolled-out to KwaZulu-Natal by the Fasset Seta.

17-NOV-05·	Construction Seta CEO walks out
	Posted by | seta
	The CEO of the construction Seta, Themba Dlamini, has left his position without serving his notice period and vowed never to return - even if he was paid R100 million.

17-NOV-05·	Fasset learners embark on incredible journey
	Posted by | seta
	Recognising that accounting firms need other skills as well as their core financial ones, Fasset has initiated their 'Incredible Journey' programme for learners who are doing non-financial learnerships.

28-OCT-05·	Blumenthal worries about impact of government departments
	Posted by | seta
	More than 700 people attended the two-day Services Seta Annual Conference and CEO Ivor Blumenthal is very pleased that pressing issues for Setas, and the success of the economy, were explored in detail.

27-OCT-05·	Services Seta opens the cheque book again
	Posted by | seta
	The moratorium on learnership grants that was put in place by the Services Seta has been removed, with CEO Ivor Blumenthal announcing a number of new learnership grant opportunities.

25-OCT-05·	NPA involved in Mappp Seta dispute
	Posted by | seta
	A dispute between the Mappp Seta and the leading institution for the training of professional printers, the Cross Media Training College, is set to heat up when legal papers are served on the authority this week.

20-OCT-05·	Fasset tackles problem of graduate unemployment
	Posted by | seta
	Fasset's ORT Siyaphambili Work Readiness programme is addressing the problem of qualified people still being unable to find work. The programme aims to enhance their employability with the addition of skills that are currently in demand.

05-OCT-05·	Fasset allocates all unclaimed grant funds
	Posted by | seta
	Cheryl James confirms that while the Fasset financial statements may show some money still in the bank, they aren't unspent funds. The Fasset CEO explains that failure to understand accounting practices has lead to some unfortunate urban legends about Seta spending.

05-OCT-05·	Services Seta tackles marketing industry problems
	Posted by | seta
	The sudden closure of the Marketing Federation of South Africa, with debts of R5m, has caused significant concern in the industry. Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal believes that key role players must ensure the well being of the sector, and has convened a meeting to discuss the way forward.

23-SEP-05·	R110m in grants paid out by transport Seta
	Posted by | seta
	Delegates at the Teta Seta AGM heard that the organisation has paid out R78m in mandatory grants and R32m in discretionary grants in the last financial year. Priorities now are to assist designated groups and new entrants to acquire critical skills that the sector requires.

22-SEP-05·	Blumenthal urges learning before entrepreneurship
	Posted by | seta
	While Services Seta CEO, Ivor Blumenthal thinks young people should become entrepreneurs, he urges them to get work experience and a good business education before setting out on their own. The Seta's pre-learnership project hopes to ease the transition from school to work for young people.

21-SEP-05·	Fasset sees strong growth in sector participation
	Posted by | seta
	The increased number of Workplace Skills Plans submitted in the finance and accounting sector shows that the work of the Fasset Seta is paying dividends.

21-SEP-05·	Skills strategy not conducive to sustained growth says Rasool
	Posted by | seta
	The National Skills Development Strategy, the second five-year phase of which came into effect only a few months ago, is already obsolete and inherently flawed, according to one Seta boss.

14-SEP-05·	20 000 benefit from Fasset learnerships
	Posted by | seta
	The number of learners signed onto learnerships is often regarded as the hallmark of Seta success. “While learnerships only constitute one benchmark for Seta success, we are delighted to report that Fasset has acquitted itself very well on this front, as well as many others,” says CEO Cheryl James.

14-SEP-05·	Fasset supports second chance for learners
	Posted by | seta
	Financial services Seta Fasset is supporting a Stellenbosch University programme that helps learners from disadvantaged schools improve their Matric marks – and open the doors to higher education.

24-AUG-05·	When the little ones leave the nest
	Posted by | seta
	Changes to the skills levy system will see many smaller employers exempted from paying the monthly levy. This has been anticipated by the Services Seta who have undergone a major restructuring in anticipation of the loss of more than 90 percent of their member companies.

17-AUG-05·	Rag trade down but not out – CTFL Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The Sector Skills Plan for the clothing, textiles, footware and leather sector includes plans to tackle the challenges that the local industry is facing from cheap imports. Jim Freeman went through the SSP in detail and found some strategies to save the industry.

10-AUG-05·	Blumenthal responds to 'rubbish'
	Posted by | seta
	Services Seta CEO Ivor Blumenthal characterises claims about him in a recent article on The Skills Portal as 'rubbish' - and says individuals concerned back his side of the story. We publish his full response.

09-AUG-05·	Five focus areas for Bankseta
	Posted by | seta
	The Seta for the banking and micro-finance sector has developed a strategy matrix to ensure that it meets the new targets that it has been set by the second National Skills Development Strategy.

09-AUG-05·	Seta boss in hot water over SDF remarks
	Posted by | seta
	Services Seta chief executive Ivor Blumenthal, who caused a furore in May with comments that the National Skills Development Strategy could sound the death knell for private training providers, is again in hot water – this time over remarks concerning the future of skills development facilitators.

22-JUN-05·	550 graduate with Foodbev qualifications
	Posted by | seta
	The Foodbev Seta has held graduation ceremonies in Johannesburg and Cape Town for more than 550 learners who have successfully completed learnership projects in their sector.

06-APR-05·	Business leaders look into Seta performance
	Posted by | seta
	A meeting between leaders of big-business and the Presidency has identified skills development as a key factor in attracting business outsourcing work into South Africa.

04-APR-05·	Services Seta give their side of the story
	Posted by | seta
	Lead employer The X-Pert Group accussed the Services Seta of putting their own interests ahead of those of the disabled learners on a project management learnership. According to CEO Ivor Blumenthal, the Services Seta tried many times to accomodate the learners but could not accede to the X-Pert Group's request for a double learnership allowance.

31-MAR-05·	Disabled students' learnership cancelled
	Posted by | seta
	55 learners with disabilities have had their learnership agreements terminated by the Services Seta, one month before the learner assessment was scheduled to begin.

04-MAR-05·	New regulations for Setas and SDFs
	Posted by | seta
	A new skills strategy calls for a new set of regulations to govern the day-to-day operations of Setas and SDFs. Sam Morotoba spoke to The Skills Portal about the thinking behind the regulations.

04-MAR-05·	Blumenthal responds to criticisms
	Posted by | seta
	Ivor Blumenthal has responded in detail to comments made by the Minister of Labour and acting DDG Sam Morotoba about the finances of the Services Seta. For Blumenthal the picture is very different.

03-MAR-05·	Mdladlana: “Bad Situation” at Services Seta
	Posted by | seta
	The Minister of Labour has confirmed that his officials looked into allegations of financial problems at the Services Seta, adding that, “The situation is quite bad”.

10-FEB-05·	Training needed for Seta board members
	Posted by | seta
	The role of Seta boards in the success or failure of the Seta's operations should be taken more seriously according to Fasset CEO Cheryl James.

21-SEP-04·	Decision on SETA mergers not yet final
	Posted by | seta
	Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana says his department has not yet taken a decision concerning the amalgamation of some Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

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