The government should consider importing skilled labour to help run the Sectoral Education and Training Authority (Seta) efficiently, Standard Bank group economist Iraj Abedian said on Tuesday.
He told reporters in Johannesburg the main reason Setas had not delivered as anticipated was because there was a dire shortage of skills among those who managed the programme.
”A substantial number of people who run the programme are also not working permanently and they are employed elsewhere.
”The government must substantially relax immigration laws so that we can attract foreigners who have necessary skills to manage Setas because in the long run such a move would create employment.”
It is understood that of the 25 Setas formed through legislation three years ago, only about 10 had performed satisfactorily. The rest had failed to deliver on their targets, which were drawn up at the start of each financial year.
Abedian said millions of rands had been set aside for Setas but money alone would not help the programme run efficiently.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said recently some Setas were underperforming and his department was planning to administer the programme so it could deliver speedily.
The proposed takeovers are a radical measure aimed at improving the performance and instilling credibility in these training bodies, some of which have been plagued by allegations of corruption.
”We don’t want banquets, we want people with skills,” said Mdladlana, alluding to some of the high salaries of those employed at Setas. – Sapa