SETA SKILLS SUMMIT (SSS) AND LAUNCH OF THE SETA INTEGRATED HIGH IMPACT PROGRAMMES

The Association of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) Chairpersons and the SETA CEO’s

Forums successfully launched the SETA Skills Summit (SSS) and announced the SETA Integrated High

Impact Programmes on 23 – 24 April 2024 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.

The inaugural summit, a pioneering event in the realm of skills development and training, convened

under the theme “Together, Skilling the Nation”. It served as a groundbreaking forum for engaging

discussions, fostering partnerships, and enhancing collaboration among various SETAs.

The summit aimed to highlight the integrated work of SETAs within the skills development sector.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande opened the proceedings on day one and emphasised the objectives of the summit. “The importance of SETAs as “matchmakers” in their role is instrumental in bringing together TVET colleges, learners, training providers, and employers” he said.

Addressing the delegates at the SETA Skills Summit, Minister Nzimande stated that SETAs play a crucial role in aligning training and development efforts with the needs of employers and the labour market, thus ensuring the development of a skilled and capable workforce that can become a catalyst for economic growth and development.

The Minister emphasised that the policy context for the work that is done by various SETAs derives from such critical policy instruments as our country’s Master Skills Plan, the White Paper for Post School Education and Training, the National Skills Development Plan, and the National Development Plan 2030.

Later that evening, at the gala dinner and networking session the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Mr. Buti Manamela, officially launched the SETA Integrated High Impact Programmes, a first in the SETA landscape.

“The programmes that we are launching today, will never be silo’s” he expressed. Deputy Minister

emphasized that SETAs are coming together in a massive and significant way to pave the future for skills development effectiveness. He further added that these integrated programmes will be a catalyst to launch multiple innovations and will transform skills development towards 2030 and beyond.

These six programmes have been identified for implementation among SETAs collaboratively over the 2025/26 to 2029/30 period and they aligned are with the National Development Plan and National Skills Development Plan 2030.

The SETA Integrated High Impact Programmes launched were as follows:

1. Public Sector Institutional Delivery Capacitation
2. Significant Reduction Unemployment of young people including graduates
3. Sustainable Entrepreneurial, SMME, and Cooperatives development
4. Holistic digitisation and advancement of technological infrastructure, research and development
5. Effective and Efficient Shared Services on Information and Communication Technology for SETA – wide Learner Management System
6. Rural Development for Community Impact

Deputy Minister Buti Manamela in his address further mentioned that the integrated high-impact programmes must ensure a significant reduction in joblessness and hopelessness among the many young people in our country, especially noting that there are over 3.3 million young people between the ages of 15-24 who are not in employment, education and training (NEET), with 59.4% of the same cohort being unemployed.

In addition, these programmes will also contribute to economic growth, new and innovative infrastructure development, digital inclusion and responsiveness to future skills.

The six launched programmes demonstrate SETAs commitment for championing collaborative skills

development for the benefit of the country. The outcomes of the Summit will also contribute towards

solidifying the High Impact projects that will ensure significant transformation in the high unemployment rate faced by our country.