SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITIES
(SETAS)
The Department of Labour has reported recently that the skills
levies collected by the SA Revenue Services and deposited into the
accounts of 24 Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas)
was in the region of R3bn. The Minister of Labour , Membathisi
Mdladlana has repeatedly urged labour and business to ensure that
this money is spent .
How to reclaim grants
Employers need to submit three types of forms supplied by the
Setas in order to claim back monies for different grants:
Workplace skills plan
in order to claim back an initial 15% of the amount spent on
training, an employer needs to submit a form to the relevant Seta
outlining what skills are to be trained up and what courses will be
embarked upon. At the end of the year companies must submit a
report on how many people have been trained (including a racial
breakdown). For that they will get a further 50% of what they paid
out in training.
Learnerships
These took a while to get up and running, as Setas had to first
be accredited with the SA Qualifications Authority and thereafter,
had to design new learnerships. The designing of learnerships could
only be achieved once Setas had completed their sector skills
plans. This was necessary in order for Setas to understand their
sectors and what skills are required. Each Seta now has a
description of the skills profile in their sector. This can then
inform the potential for learnership opportunities. 140 new
learnership programmes have been developed ranging from basic entry
level to post professional levels. If employers agree to embark on
learnership programmes they will be able to access a cash grant
from their Seta as well as a tax incentive. Every time an employer
signs up a learnership agreement they can claim R25 000 offset
against taxable income. When the recognised phase of the
learnership has been completed they can claim an additional R25 000
against taxable income.
Strategic grants
Setas are eligible to provide additional grants to companies for
developmental or special skills training, for example, in the area
of HIV/AIDS and adult basic education and training. These special
grants would also relate to learnerships.
For contact details, visit www.labour.gov.za/services/setacontacts