Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA's) have been established in terms of the Skills Development Act and as from 1 April 2000, will be responsible for disbursement of the training levies payable by all employers.

These levies will be collected by the South African Revenue Service via the Department of Labour, and are to be disbursed through a management system motivated by skills requirement assessment and monitoring.

Thus SETA's will ensure that the skill requirements of the sector are identified and that the adequate and appropriate skills are readily available.

The SETA would contribute to the improvement of sector skills through achieving a more favourable balance between demand and supply, and would ensure that education and training:

• Is provided subject to validation and quality assurance;
• Meets agreed standards within a national framework;
• Ensures that new entrants to the labour market are adequately trained, and;
• Acknowledges and enhances the skills of the current work force.

With reference to an announcement dated 30 October 2011 regarding the hosting of the Services SETA Special General Meeting on 17 November, 2011.

The Special General Meeting has been postponed and will be held in February 2012.