The Skills Development Act Should Be Revised

The Ministry of Labor is considering new amendments to the Skills Development Act that could see the ministry take over control of sectoral education and training authorities (Setas). The current model allows workers and businesses to operate their Setas.

Since its establishment in 2000, the training authority has been criticized for failing to provide unemployed and employed workers with the skills they need. Several senior officials at Setas have been sacked in recent years following allegations of fraud and corruption involving millions of rands. The Seta tribe receives more than R3 billion annually from taxes on all businesses. These represent the most important attempt to address the skills shortage plaguing South Africa's economy. So far, it has not been possible to make a significant impact on the huge shortage of skilled workers.

The ANC called for an urgent review of all setas, while the DA called for the complete abolition of training institutions.

Sam Molotova, deputy director-general for skills development at the Ministry of Manpower, said the government is currently considering proposals from various quarters, including political parties, and should be in a position to present a new draft amendment by the end of the year. Ta. Year. “We want people to be specific about what they want to see changed. "We will consider all proposals," he said.

ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said the party was unhappy with the way the Setas had behaved in recent years.

“We want to see if Setas is meeting expectations in terms of delivering the number of skills that the economy needs. The quality of the skills was also not up to the challenge.

"Without skilled workers, our economy will not be able to meet growth demands," Nkonyama said. Labor spokesman Mike Rowe said Mr. Setas was degenerate into patronizing amateur investment vehicles rather than driving a skills revolution. “The Crown Prosecution Service has long questioned whether Setas offers the best opportunity to address the skills gap in South Africa's economy. Weaknesses are said to have led to criminal misuse of training funds,” Mr. Lowe told the daily.

Morotoba said the new amendment seeks to amend the Skills Development Act of 1998 to replace the old Personnel Training Act and place learners in place of apprenticeships. When the Skills Development Act was promulgated in 1998, Section 17 of the Human Resources and Training Act, which provides for apprenticeships, was retained. 

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