Seta Review

The study serves as an attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of the SETA environment for stakeholders to collectively understand the different approaches that are being adopted by SETAs in carrying out their mandate. The paper seeks to make a contribution to the development of a shared understanding of the critical success factors necessary to ensure the effective functioning of the SETAs within the context of the overarching skills system. The paper argues that significant progress has been achieved by SETAs and the Skills Development system. But that important challenges have emerged in this review with regard to the level of development of SETAs, the numerous complexities that persist in respect of implementation, effectiveness and efficiency, the shortcomings in the functioning of the training market, the underdeveloped capacity and functioning of the monitoring and evaluations systems, the lack of effective management information systems, the effectiveness of quality assurance mechanisms in the system all combine to suggest that the SETAs and the Skills Development system are still at a critical stage of institutionalisation. The findings of this review suggest that the SETAs are on a positive trajectory. Future success will be contingent on a recognition that institution building is a complex and demanding process that requires purposeful and sustained investment. It argues that it may be preferable to focus on increasing the strength of the SETAs to undertake a limited set of key responsibilities and with greater efficacy, than increasing their scope or even developing unrealistic expectations for the manner in which the activities can be carried out within the limits of existing capacity. This suggests that changes in the SETA landscape require careful consideration with an emphasis on instituting changes that build on the current system and that continue to propel the system forward. These changes need to be implemented in a manner that recognises the system issues that have been highlighted by this report as well as the possibilities for improving institutions in the short to medium term