Overview of Sector Education and Training Authorities

Background

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.
  

The Department of Labour evaluated the applications for SETA's and the Minister of Labour established 25 SETA's on 20 March 2000.

The Services SETA

The Services SETA has been established to ensure that the skills needs of the services sector are identified and addressed. This will be achieved through the SETA forming partnerships with its stakeholders and role-players and implementing the business plan.