The acronym 'Seta' stands for 'Sector Education and Training Authority' and there are 25 such organisations, each representing one section of the economy. The Seta is tasked with distributing the money that is raised from Skills Levies back to their sector, developing learning programmes that are relevant for their sector and maintaining the highest standards of training.
The Seta is headed up by a council including representatives from organised business and organised labour and is run by a management team.
Each Seta is responsible for a particular industry or sector, such as manufacturing, tourism, finance, or construction.
Key Responsibilities of a SETA
SETAs undertake a wide range of activities to promote skills development within their respective sectors. Some of their key responsibilities include:
- Developing Sector Skills Plans: SETAs work with industry stakeholders to create comprehensive plans that outline the skills needs of the sector and the strategies required to address them.
- Accrediting Training Providers: SETAs ensure that training providers meet the necessary standards and quality criteria.
- Managing Learnerships and Apprenticeships: SETAs facilitate the implementation of learnership and apprenticeship programs, providing learners with practical on-the-job training and theoretical knowledge.
- Funding Skills Development Initiatives: SETAs allocate funds to support various skills development projects, including workplace training, bursaries, and scholarships.
- Conducting Research and Analysis: SETAs gather data on labor market trends and skills shortages to inform their decision-making.
How successful have the Setas been?
Some are doing a good job but others have been seen most often in newspapers amid allegations of corruption and incompetence. However with skills development so important for the success of the economy it is important that all businesses engage with their Setas and raise their standards.
Benefits of Setas
Setas offer several benefits to both individuals and businesses.
For individuals, Setas provide opportunities for skills development, career advancement, and increased earning potential. For businesses, Setas help to ensure a skilled workforce, improve productivity, and enhance competitiveness.
Setas are vital institutions in South Africa's education and training landscape. By working closely with industry stakeholders, Setas play a key role in developing a skilled workforce that can contribute to the country's economic growth and development.
