l The legislation governing Setas is the Skills Development Act of 1998, and the Skills Development Act of 1999. Before this training was governed by the Manpower Training Act of 1981. The aim of the Skills Development Levy is to encourage companies who don’t offer training opportunities to raise skills among employees.
l Setas are Sector Education and Training Authorities, of which there are 27 – including: banking and financial; chemical industries; clothing and textile; construction; education; energy; food and beverages; forest; health and welfare; information services; insurance; local government and water; media and advertising; mining; manufacturing and engineering; police, private security, legal and correctional services; agriculture; public services; tourism; transport; wholesale and retail.
l National Skills Authority (NSA): According to the Skills Development Act, this replaces the National Training Board. The function of the NSA is to advise the minister of labour on national skills development policy and strategy, and monitor the progress of Setas, then report to the minister on progress made.
l National Skills Fund: Of the levies collected, 20% will be paid into the National Skills Fund, which will be administered by the NSA. The remaining 80% will be payable to the relevant Seta.
l The National Qualifications Framework is the framework where jobs will be graded according to competencies, and outcomes- based work and skills.
l Skills Development Facilitators will assist companies in developing plans and also assist them in submitting such plans to Setas.
l The South African Qualifications Authority will monitor quality assurance in skills training at the various work stations.
l Sector skills plan and workplace skills plan are plans for each company registered with the Seta. They are the basis for the grant-disbursement system.
l Education Training Quality Assurance consists of bodies recommended by the National Standards Bodies to ensure the quality of education and training.
l The Department of Labour’s hotline number is 086 0100664.