Erasibo

On the 1st of November 2007 a call was made for government to do away with the SETA’s. Since the inception of the SETA’s there have been many issues raised about their ability to meet their mandate. Some SETA’s have been found wanting whilst others have made remarkable progress.

Scrapping our system of SETA’s on the grounds that there have been scandals and mis-management (Fidentia was certainly not a proud moment) is nonsensical. Firstly on a fairly obvious level no system is impervious to scandal and mismanagement and secondly the intentions and logical constructs behind the SETA system is sound. We cannot simply blindly trust that employers will take it upon themselves to do what’s best for the country, their first obligation is to themselves i.e. make sure that I am still in business by maximising profit and lowering costs. It is the responsibility of government and it’s regulations to look after the well being of the country by fixing one of our most critical challenges – our massive skills shortage.

The way in which the SETA system currently functions needs to be improved and this improvement need not necessarily be a radical one. The SETA system is a complicated system to come to understand let alone implement. Many SETA’s suffer from the very ailment they are try to rectify – a lack of critical skills, especially at the senior management, financial planning and project conception and implementation levels.

Those responsible for the SETA system need to act now by drawing on lessons which are there in the various reviews, impact assessments and evaluations that have been conducted over the years to start building a strong SETA system. There should be greater partnering between the private sector and SETA’s as clearly the SETA chambers are not working as effectively as they could and not for the private sector to take over the responsibility of the SETA’s.

Our high unemployment state is partially to blame on the fact that our economy has moved away from its traditional base and is requiring more skilled workers who can work in the formal sector. This imperative can only be lead successfully by government through the SETA’s.