SKILLS SUPPORT PROGRAMME
A joint Trade and Industry and Labour Department incentive
In 2000, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) launched
the Investment Incentive Programme, targeted at new and foreign
companies and offering range of grants to actively encourage both
small and large enterprises to invest in South Africa. The key
elements of this programme are:
The Small and Medium Enter-prise Development Programme (SMEDP)
which is designed to support small and medium sized projects.
Specifically, this programme is targeted at new and expanding
companies (foreign and local) and provides annual grants to
qualifying projects up to a maximum investment level of R100m, at
adjusted rates. It allows for equity as low as 10% (for small
projects) and for 'green field' or major expansion projects.
The programme will also apply to certain non-manufacturing
sectors.
The Strategic Industrial Project (SIP) designed to support very
large projects and is targeted at strategic investments that will
improve SA's competitiveness; be propulsive; support
diversification; support forward and backward linkages; supply
domestic market needs at export parity prices and facilitate small
business development.
To actively support these investment measures the Department of
Labour DOL) established the Skills Support Programme (SSP). This
programme offers a range of grants targeted at skills development
of newly employed project personnel. It enables new investors and
existing companies planning large expansions to prepare their
workforce by imparting the necessary skills. The SSP has three
grant aided components:
- A Training grant for both learners and training providers
- A learning programme development grant
- A capital grant for company specific training related aids and
equipment
Applicants for the Small and Medium Enterprise Development
Programme and the Strategic Industrial Project grants may qualify
for assistance under the Skills Support Programme. The dti will
evaluate and determine the viability of the applicant companies for
SMEDP and SIP grants and if approved will forward the SSP
application to the DOL for evaluation. DOL will be responsible for
the Monitoring and Evaluation of training programme implementation
and for effecting payments to companies in respect of approved
training grants claims. In all cases training grants will be
subject to availability of funds.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Manager:
Skills Support Programme, Department of Labour.