MGX, through its Cape Software Development business unit, has developed a customised automated Skills Development Act (SDA) Administration System. The system application streamlines the data capture process for populating Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) documentation and is aligned with the Employment Equity Act.
"The task of manually inputting all the information needed, for example, to create a workplace skills plan under the SDA is mammoth, especially in larger organisations," says MGX Software Development project manager Debbie Newman.
"We`ve created an online system that allows for automatic data capture and storage of all employee details - from age, gender and occupational group to previously recognised qualifications, skills and qualifications needed to fulfill their role. This is a natural extension of the Technology-Based Training programmes that MGX provides."
For example, when employees register for courses, they are requested to update their details on the company system and can be asked for extra information should it be required. This information is then stored on a central server ready for use by the administrative authority.
The Skills Development Act (Act 97 of 1998) was drafted to develop and improve the skills of the South African workforce by means of implementing, among other things, a South African Qualifications Authority, a National Qualifications Framework, some 25 Sector Education and Training Authorities and a National Skills Fund.
Under these acts, employers registered with the respective SETAs have to appoint a skills development facilitator (SDF) for the development and planning of a company`s skills development strategy for a specific period. This includes the development and implementation of an annual workplace skills plan and the submission of an annual training report. The SDF also serves as a resource to the employer with regard to the criteria required for accreditation of courses, skills programmes and learnership development.
"While we initially developed the system for the insurance industry," adds business unit leader Elna Fischer, "the application lends itself to use by any company in any sector."
The intranet-based system has a Web front-end running off a Microsoft SQL Server back-end on a dedicated server. All relevant SETA templates are mirrored on the Web front-end, allowing the facilitator to view/print automatically populated templates, as these are required.
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