Plans for the overhaul of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) are being drafted, but changes will only be implemented later this year, says the Department of Higher Education (DHE).
The department, which recently took charge of the Setas from the Department of Labour, proposes to cut them down to 12, from the current 23. Details of which Setas will be affected will only be available later in the year, when the department introduces changes.
While the new plan was supposed to have been completed and implemented by April 2010, it is only expected to be implemented at the end of the year. The department says meetings with several Setas have been held and the restructuring process would be completed this year.
Changes will include a review of the National Skills Authority, the Seta landscape and the National Skills Development Strategy, and would only be completed after 2010. Government has stated it needs time to “apply its mind” to what changes need to be made and ensure the right results are reached.
All training bodies will be affected, including the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (Isett Seta). Higher education minister Blade Nzimande also instructed all Setas to draft skills plans and funding requirements to help increase the pace of proposed changes.
Isett Seta, in partnership with Microsoft SA, recently unveiled a R35 million skills programme to provide an estimated 2 000 internships in the ICT industry over the next three years.
The Department of Labour has also allocated R844 million for training programmes in all Setas for the next two years, which is expected to be transferred to the DHE. Government has set aside R2.4 billion to fund initiatives dealing with the economic crisis through a National Jobs Fund.
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