Skills Development Act 97 of 1998

August 20, 2015
Written by Gary Watkins
Published in Skills Development Act

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACT 97 OF 1998

(11 May 2012 – to date)

[This is the current version and applies as from 11 May 2012, i.e. the date of commencement of the Skills Development Amendment Act 26 of 2011 – to date]

Government Notice 1400 in Government Gazette 19420, dated 2 November 1998.
Commencement date of Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and Chapter 7, excluding section 27(2)(a) and (b) and section 30: 2 February 1999 [Proc. No. R11, Gazette No. 19717, dated 29 January 1999].
Commencement date of Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, section 27(2)(a) and (b) and section 30 of Chapter 7 and Chapter 8: 10 September 1999 [Proc. No. R95, Gazette No. 20442, dated 7 September 1999].
Commencement date of Chapter 4: 1 April 2001 [Proc. No. R23, Gazette No. 22197, dated 3 April 2001].

as amended by:

Skills Development Levies Act 9 of 1999 – Government Notice 516 in Government Gazette 19984, dated 30 April 1999. Commencement date: 1 September 1999 [Proc. No. R92, Gazette No. 20394, dated 27 August 1999].
Skills Development Amendment Act 31 of 2003 – Government Notice 1673 in Government Gazette 25720, dated 14 November 2003. Commencement date: 14 November 2003.
Skills Development Amendment Act 37 of 2008 – Government Notice 1292 in Government Gazette 31666, dated 1 December 2008. Commencement date: 6 April 2009 [Proc. No. R409, Gazette No. 32105, dated 6 April 2009].
Higher Education Laws Amendment Act 26 of 2010 – Government Notice 1178 in Government Gazette 33855, dated 7 December 2010. Commencement date: 7 December 2010.
Skills Development Amendment Act 26 of 2011 – Government Notice 258 in Government Gazette 35191, dated 28 March 2012. Commencement date: 11 May 2012 [GN 368, Gazette No. 35336, dated 11 May 2012].

It is hereby notified that the President has assented to the following Act which is hereby published for general information: -

ACT

To provide an institutional framework to devise and implement national, sector and workplace strategies to develop and improve the skills of the South African workforce;
to integrate those strategies within the National Qualifications Framework contemplated in the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008;
to provide for learnerships that lead to recognised occupational qualifications;
to provide for the financing of skills development by means of a levy-financing scheme and a National Skills Fund;
to provide for and regulate employment services; and
to provide for matters connected therewith.

(Long title amended by section 10 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Long title amended by section 29 of Act 26 of 2011)

BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, as follows: -

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

DEFINITIONS, PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION OF ACT

1. Definitions

2. Purposes of Act

3. Interpretation

CHAPTER 2

NATIONAL SKILLS AUTHORITY

4. Establishment of National Skills Authority

5. Functions of National Skills Authority

6. Composition of National Skills Authority and term and vacation of office

7. Constitution of National Skills Authority

8. Remuneration and administration of National Skills Authority

CHAPTER 3

SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITIES

9. Establishment of SETA

9A. Amalgamation and dissolution of SETAs

9B. Incorporation of subsector into SETA

10. Functions of SETA

10A. SETAs to conclude service level agreements

11. Composition of Accounting Authority of SETA

11A. Eligibility to become member of Accounting Authority

11B. Vacation of office by members of Accounting Authority

11C. Disclosure of conflict of interests

12. Chambers of SETA

13. Constitution of SETA

13A. Conduct of Accounting Authority member or staff member

13B. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

14. Finances of SETA

14A. Minister may issue written instructions to SETAs

15. Taking over administration of SETA

CHAPTER 4

LEARNERSHIPS

16. Learnerships

17. Learnership agreements

18. Contract of employment with learner

19. Disputes about learnerships

CHAPTER 5

SKILLS PROGRAMMES

20. Skills programmes

21. Disputes

CHAPTER 6

INSTITUTIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

22. Administration of Act by Department

23. Employment services

24. Registration of persons that provide employment services

25. Cancellation of registration of private employment services agency

26. Appeal against Director-General’s decision

CHAPTER 6A

ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT

26A. National artisan moderation body

26B. Listing of trades

26C. National register of artisans

26D. Trade tests

CHAPTER 6B

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES

26E. Skills development institutes

CHAPTER 6C

QUALITY COUNCIL FOR TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS

26F. Policy on occupational standards and qualifications

26G. Establishment of QCTO

26H. Functions of QCTO

26I. Delegation of functions

26J. Regulations regarding occupational standards and qualifications

CHAPTER 6D

WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS

26K. Establishment of Productivity South Africa

26L. Functions of Productivity South Africa

26M. Finances of Productivity South Africa

26N. Regulations regarding workplace productivity and competitiveness

CHAPTER 7

FINANCING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

27. National Skills Fund

28. Use of money in National Skills Fund

29. Control and administration of National Skills Fund

30. Budget for training by public service employers

30A. Budget for training by national and provincial public entities

30B. National standard of good practice in skills development

CHAPTER 8

GENERAL

31. Jurisdiction of Labour Court

32. Monitoring, enforcement and legal proceedings

33. Offences

34. Penalties

35. Delegations

36. Regulations

37. Repeal of laws and transitional provisions

38. Act binds State

39. Short title and commencement

SCHEDULE 1 – REPEAL OF LAWS

SCHEDULE 2 – TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

SCHEDULE 2A- TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 2008

SCHEDULE 3 - COMPOSITION AND CONSTITUTION OF QCTO

SCHEDULE 4 - COMPOSITION AND CONSTITUTION OF PRODUCTIVITY SOUTH AFRICA

(Table of Contents amended by section 18 of Act 37 of 2008)

CHAPTER 1

DEFINITIONS, PURPOSE AND APPLICATION OF ACT

1. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates –

“Accounting Authority” means the Accounting Authority of a SETA contemplated in section 11;

(Definition of “Accounting Authority” inserted by section 1(a) of Act 26 of 2011)

“apprenticeship” means a learnership in respect of a listed trade, and includes a trade-test in respect of that trade;

(Definition of “apprenticeship” inserted by section 1(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

“artisan” means a person that has been certified as competent to perform a listed trade in accordance with this Act;

(Definition of “artisan” inserted by section 1(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

“Basic Conditions of Employment Act” means the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act No. 75 of 1997);

“Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Accounting Authority;

(Definition of “Chairperson” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

“Department” means the Department of Higher Education and Training, except in –

(a) sections 2(1)(g) and (h), 2(2)(a)(v), (vi) and (xii), 5(4) (only with respect to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K), 22(1), 23(1)(a) and (d), (2) and (3), 24, 25, 26, 26K, 26L, 26M, 26N, 32(2), 36(o), (p) and (q), item 7 of Schedule 2A and Schedule 4; and

(b) sections 32(1), 33 and 36(a) and (s) and any other provision to the extent that these provisions apply to 'employment services' defined in section 1 or to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K, but excluding section 23(1)(b) and (c),

where it means the Department of Labour;

(Definition of “Department” substituted by section 4(a) of Act 26 of 2010)

“designated groups” means black people, women and people with disabilities;

(Definition of “designated groups” inserted by section 1(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

“Director-General” means the Director-General of Higher Education and Training;

(Definition of “Director-General” substituted by section 4(b) of Act 26 of 2010)

“employee” means –

(a) any person, excluding an independent contractor, who works for another person or for the State and who receives, or is entitled to receive, any remuneration; or

(b) any other person who in any manner assists in carrying on or conducting the business of an employer,

and “employed” and “employment” have corresponding meanings;

“employment services” means the provision of the service of –

(a) advising or counselling of workers on career choices either by the provision of information or other approaches;

(b) assessment of work-seekers for –

(i) entry or re-entry into the labour market; or

(ii) education and training;

(i) to employers to apply for vacancies; or

(ii) to training providers for education and training;

(d) assistance of employers by –

(i) providing recruitment and placement services;

(ii) advising them on the availability of work-seekers with skills that match their needs;

(iii) advising them on the retrenchment of employees and the development of social plans;

(Paragraph (d) of the definition of “employment services” amended by section 1(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(dA) procuring for or providing to a client other persons to render services to or perform work for the client, irrespective of by whom those persons are remunerated; or

(Paragraph (dA) of the definition of “employment services” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(e) any other prescribed employment service;

“government department” means any department or organisational component referred to in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994);

“Labour Court” means the Labour Court established by section 151 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995);

“learner” includes an apprentice;

(Definition of “learner” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

“learnership” includes an apprenticeship;

(Definition of “learnership” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

“learning” means the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, values, skill, competence or experience;

(Definition of “learning” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

“learning programme” includes a learnership, an apprenticeship, a skills programme and any other prescribed learning programme which includes a structured work experience component;

(Definition of “learning programme” inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

“Minister” means the Minister of Higher Education and Training, except in-

(Definition of “Minister” substituted by section 4(c) of Act 26 of 2010)

“National Qualifications Framework” means the National Qualifications Framework contemplated by the NQF Act;

(Definition of “National Qualifications Framework” inserted by section 1(c) of Act 37 of 2008)

(Definition of “National Qualifications Framework” substituted by section 1(d) of Act 26 of 2011)

“National Skills Authority” means the National Skills Authority established by section 4;

“national skills development policy” means the national skills development policy referred to in section 5(1)(a)(i);

“national skills development strategy” means the national skills development strategy referred to in section 5(1)(a)(ii);

“National Skills Fund” means the National Skills Fund established by section 27;

“NEDLAC” means the National Economic Development and Labour Council established by section 2 of the National Economic Development and Labour Council Act, 1994 (Act No. 35 of 1994);

“NQF Act” means the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008);

(Definition of “NQF Act” inserted by section 1(e) of Act 26 of 2011)

“occupational qualification” means a qualification associated with a trade, occupation or profession resulting from work-based learning and consisting of knowledge unit standards, practical unit standards and work experience unit standards;

(Definition of “occupational qualification” inserted by section 1(d) of Act 37 of 2008)

“Occupational Qualifications Framework” means the sub-framework for occupational qualifications which forms an integral part of the National Qualifications Framework;

(Definition of “Occupational Qualifications Framework” inserted by section 1(d) of Act 37 of 2008)

“organised employers”-

(a) means any employers' organisation in the sector in question that is registered in terms of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), and any other association of employers in that sector that represents the interests of its members as employers; and

(b) includes a State Department referred to in Schedule 1 to the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994), as an employer in that sector;

(Definition of “organised employers” inserted by section 1(f) of Act 26 of 2011)

“placement” means placing an individual in a placement opportunity, with due regard to the Code of Good Practice on the Integration of Employment Equity in Human Resources Policies and Practices in terms of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998);

(Definition of “placement” inserted by section 1(e) of Act 37 of 2008)

“placement opportunity” means any opportunity for work or learning that could be offered to an individual and includes a vacancy for employment, an opportunity for self-employment, a learning programme and community service;

(Definition of “placement opportunity” inserted by section 1(e) of Act 37 of 2008)

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulation;

“private employment services agency” means any person that provides employment services for gain;

(Definition of “private employment services agency” inserted by section 1(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

“Public Finance Management Act” means the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999);

(Definition of “Public Finance Management Act” inserted by section 1(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

“QCTO” means the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations established in terms of section 26G;

(Definition of “QCTO” inserted by section 1(f) of Act 37 of 2008)

“regulation” means a regulation made and in force in terms of this Act;

(Definition of “regulation” substituted by section 1(d) of Act 31 of 2003)

“repealed Act” means-

(i) the Manpower Training Act, 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981);

(ii) any law repealed by the Manpower Training Act, 1981, and any law repealed by such an Act; and

(iii) any law listed in Schedule 1 to the Integration of Labour Laws Act, 1994 (Act No. 49 of 1994), dealing with training or skills development;

(Definition of “repealed Act” inserted by section 1(g) of Act 37 of 2008)

“service level agreement” means a service level agreement concluded in terms of section 10A;

(Definition of “service level agreement” inserted by section 1(e) of Act 31 of 2003)

“SETA” means a sector education and training authority established in terms of section 9(1);

“SIC Code” means a code contained in the Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities published by Statistics South Africa;

(Definition of “SIC Code” inserted by section 1(g) of Act 26 of 2011)

“Skills Development Levies Act” means the Skills Development Levies Act, 1999;

(Definition of “Skills Development Levies Act” substituted by section 1 of Act 9 of 1999)

"skills development levies" means a levy as defined in section 1 of the Skills Development Levies Act;

(Definition of “skills development levies” substituted by section 1 of Act 9 of 1999)

“skills development provider” means a provider of an occupational learning;

(Definition of “skills development provider” inserted by section 1(h) of Act 37 of 2008)

"South African Qualifications Authority" means the South African Qualifications Authority referred to in section 10 of the NQF Act;

(Definition of “South African Qualifications Authority” substituted by section 1(h) of Act 26 of 2011)

"South African Qualifications Authority Act" ……….

(Definition of “South African Qualifications Authority Act” deleted by section 1(i) of Act 26 of 2011)

"this Act" includes any regulations but does not include the footnotes; and

“trade” means an occupation for which an artisan qualification is required in terms of section 26B;

(Definition of “trade” inserted by section 1(i) of Act 37 of 2008)

"worker" includes an employee, an unemployed person and a work-seeker.

2. Purposes of Act

(1) The purposes of this Act are -

(a) to develop the skills of the South African workforce -

(i) to improve the quality of life of workers, their prospects of work and labour mobility;

(ii) to improve productivity in the workplace and the competitiveness of employers;

(iii) to promote self-employment; and

(iv) to improve the delivery of social services;

(b) to increase the levels of investment in education and training in the labour market and to improve the return on that investment;

(i) to use the workplace as an active learning environment;

(ii) to provide employees with the opportunities to acquire new skills;

(iii) to provide opportunities for new entrants to the labour market to gain work experience; and

(iv) to employ persons who find it difficult to be employed;

(d) to encourage workers to participate in learning programmes;

(Section 2(1)(d) substituted by section 2(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

(e) to improve the employment prospects of persons previously disadvantaged by unfair discrimination and to redress those disadvantages through training and education;

(f) to ensure the quality of learning in and for the workplace;

(Section 2(1)(f) substituted by section 2(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

(g) to assist -

(i) work-seekers to find work;

(ii) retrenched workers to re-enter the labour market;

(iii) employers to find qualified employees; and

(h) to provide and regulate employment services.

(2) Those purposes are to be achieved through -

(a) an institutional and financial framework comprising -

(i) the National Skills Authority;

(ii) the National Skills Fund;

(iii) a skills development levy-financing scheme as contemplated in the Skills Development Levies Act;

(iv) SETAs;

(v) provincial offices of the Department;

(vi) labour centres of the Department;

(vii) accredited trade test centres;

(viii) skills development institutes;

(ix) the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations;

(x) a skills development forum for each province;

(xi) a national artisan moderation body; and

(xii) Productivity South Africa;

(b) encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors of the economy to provide learning in and for the workplace; and

(Section 2(2) amended by section 2 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Section 2(2) substituted by section 2(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

3. Interpretation

Any person applying this Act must interpret its provisions to give effect to -

(a) its purposes; and

(b) the objects of the NQF Act.

(Section 3(b) substituted by section 3 of Act 26 of 2011)

CHAPTER 2

NATIONAL SKILLS AUTHORITY

4. Establishment of National Skills Authority

The National Skills Authority is hereby established.

5. Functions of National Skills Authority

(1) The functions of the National Skills Authority are -

(a) to advise the Minister on -

(i) a national skills development policy;

(ii) a national skills development strategy;

(iii) guidelines on the implementation of the national skills development strategy;

(iv) the strategic framework and criteria for allocation of funds from the National Skills Fund; and

(v) any regulations to be made;

(b) to liaise with SETAs on -

(i) the national skills development policy;

(ii) the national skills development strategy; and

(iii) sector skills plans;

(d) to conduct investigations on any matter arising out of the application of this Act;

(dA) to liaise with the QCTO on occupational standards and qualifications; and

(e) to exercise any other powers and perform any other duties conferred or imposed on the Authority by this Act.

(Section 5(1) amended by section 2 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 5(1) substituted by section 3(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

(2) For the purposes of investigations referred to in subsection (1)(d), the Authority has the prescribed powers of entry and to question and inspect.

(3) The Authority must perform its functions in accordance with this Act and its constitution.

(4) Subsection (1)(a)(iv) does not apply to regulations in respect of which the Minister is required to consult with the QCTO or Productivity South Africa.

(Section 5(4) added by section 3(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

6. Composition of National Skills Authority and term and vacation of office

(1) The National Skills Authority consists of -

(a) a voting chairperson appointed by the Minister;

(b) 24 voting and six non-voting members appointed by the Minister; and

(Section 6(1)(b) substituted by section 3(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 6(1)(b) substituted by section 4(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

(2) The members referred to in subsection (1)(b) are -

(a) five voting members nominated by NEDLAC and appointed by the Minister to represent organised labour;

(b) five voting members nominated by NEDLAC and appointed by the Minister to represent organised business;

(c) five voting members nominated by NEDLAC and appointed by the Minister to represent organisations of community and development interests, which must include -

(i) a woman who represents the interests of women;

(ii) a person who represents the interests of the youth; and

(iii) a disabled person who represents the interests of people with disabilities;

(d) five voting members appointed by the Minister to represent the interests of the State;

(e) four voting members appointed by the Minister to represent the interests of education and skills development providers;

(Section 6(2)(e) substituted by section 4(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

(eA) two non-voting members, who have expertise in skills development, appointed by the Minister after consultation with the National Skills Authority;

(Section 6(2)(eA) inserted by section 3(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(f) two non-voting members, who have expertise in the provision of employment services, appointed by the Minister;

(Section 6(2)(f) substituted by section 4(c) of Act 37 of 2008)

(g) a non-voting member nominated by the South African Qualifications Authority and appointed by the Minister;

(Section 6(2)(g) substituted by section 4(c) of Act 37 of 2008)

(h) a non-voting member nominated by the QCTO and appointed by the Minister.

(Section 6(2)(h) added by section 4(d) of Act 37 of 2008)

(3) The Minister must designate five members as deputy chairpersons, one deputy chairperson each from the members to be appointed to represent -

(a) organised labour;

(b) organised business;

(d) the interests of the State; and

(e) education and skills development providers.

(Section 6(3) substituted by section 4(e) of Act 37 of 2008)

(4) A member of the Authority holds office for a period of five years and is eligible for re-appointment on expiry of his or her term of office, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms of office.

(Section 6(4) substituted by section 4(f) of Act 37 of 2008)

(5) A member of the Authority vacates office if that member -

(a) is removed from office by the Minister as contemplated in subsection (6); or

(b) resigns by written notice addressed to the Minister.

(6) The Minister may remove a member of the Authority -

(a) on the written request of the body that nominated that member in terms of subsection (2);

(b) for serious misconduct;

(d) for absence from three consecutive meetings of the Authority -

(i) without the prior permission of the Authority; or

(ii) unless the member shows good cause; or

(e) for engaging in any activity that may undermine the functions of the Authority.

(7) If the chairperson or a member of the Authority vacates office before the expiry of the period of office, the Minister must, in terms of subsection 1(a) or (2) , respectively, appoint a new chairperson or member, as the case may be, for the unexpired portion of that period within 90 days.

(Section 6(7) substituted by section 4(g) of Act 37 of 2008)

7. Constitution of National Skills Authority

(1) The National Skills Authority must, as soon as possible after the appointment of its members, adopt its constitution.

(2) Subject to this Act, the constitution of the Authority -

(a) must provide for -

(i) procedures for the nominations of members of the Authority referred to in section 6(2)(a), (b), (c) and (g);

(ii) the establishment and functioning of committees, including an executive committee;

(iii) subject to subsection (3), the rules for convening and conducting of meetings of the Authority and its committees, including the quorum required for and the minutes to be kept of those meetings;

(iv) the voting rights of the different members and the manner in which decisions are to be taken by the Authority and its committees;

(v) a code of conduct for the members of the Authority;

(vi) the determination through arbitration of any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the constitution; and

(vii) subject to subsections (4) and (5), a procedure for amending the constitution and advising the Minister on regulations to be made; and

(b) may provide for -

(i) the delegation of powers and duties of the Authority to its members, committees and employees, provided that the Authority may impose conditions for the delegation, may not be divested of any power or duty by virtue of the delegation and may vary or set aside any decision made under any delegation; and

(ii) any other matter necessary for the performance of the functions of the Authority.

(3) At least 30 days notice must be given for a meeting of the Authority at which an amendment of the constitution or a regulation to be made is to be considered.

(4) A supporting vote of at least two thirds of the Authority's members and the approval of the Minister is required for an amendment to its constitution.

(5) A supporting vote of at least two-thirds of the Authority's members is required for advising the Minister on regulations to be made.

(6) Despite subsection (2)(a)(i), the Minister must determine the procedure for the nominations for the first appointment of members of the Authority referred to in section 6(2)(a), (b), (c) and (g).

8. Remuneration and administration of National Skills Authority

(1) A member of the National Skills Authority who is not in the full-time employment of the State may be paid the remuneration and allowances determined by the Minister with the approval of the Minister of Finance.

(2) Subject to the laws governing the public service, the Director-General must -

(a) appoint a person to be the executive officer of the National Skills Authority who will, upon such appointment, be in the employ of the public service; and

(b) provide the Authority with the personnel and financial resources that the Minister considers necessary for the performance of its functions.

CHAPTER 3

SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITIES

9. Establishment of SETA

(1)

(a) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette and for a period specified in the notice, establish a sector education and training authority with a constitution contemplated in section 13 for any national economic sector, having regard to any relevant SIC Code.

(b) The Minister may in the manner contemplated in paragraph (a) re-establish the sector education and training authority contemplated in that paragraph when the period contemplated in that paragraph has lapsed.

(Section 9(1) substituted by section 5 of Act 26 of 2011)

(2) The Minister must determine a discrete sector for the purposes of subsection (1) by reference to categories of employers and for the purposes of that determination take into account -

(a) the education and training needs of employers and employees that -

(i) use similar materials, processes and technologies;

(ii) make similar products; or

(iii) render similar services;

(b) the potential of the proposed sector for coherent occupational structures and career pathing;

(d) the organisational structures of the trade unions, employer organisations and government in closely related sectors;

(e) any consensus that there may be between organised labour, organised employers and relevant government departments as to the definition of any sector; and

(f) the financial and organisational ability of the proposed sector to support a SETA.

(3) On the establishment of a SETA, the Minister may provide assistance to the SETA to enable it to perform its functions.

(4) The Minister may, after consulting the National Skills Authority and the SETAs in question and subject to subsection (2), change the sector of a SETA and must publish a notice in the Gazette reflecting such change.

(Section 9(4) added by section 4 of Act 31 of 2003)

9A. Amalgamation and dissolution of SETAs

(1) The Minister may, after consulting the National Skills Authority and the SETAs in question and subject to section 9(2), amalgamate two or more SETAs.

(2) The Minister must provide a constitution contemplated in section 13 for the amalgamated SETA.

(Section 9A(2) substituted by section 6(a) of Act 26 of 2011)

(3) The Minister must publish a notice in the Gazette containing-

(a) the date of the amalgamation;

(b) the sector for which the amalgamated SETA is established; and

(4) On the establishment of the amalgamated SETA, all assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the amalgamating SETAs devolve upon and vest in the amalgamated SETA.

(5) The Minister may, after consulting the National Skills Authority and the SETA in question, dissolve a SETA if the SETA is unable to continue to perform its functions.

(6) The Minister must publish a notice in the Gazette-

(a) containing the date of the dissolution of the SETA;

(b) setting out the manner in which, and by whom, the SETA is to be wound-up;

(d) providing for any other matter necessary for the dissolution and winding-up of the SETA in question.

(7) No transfer duty, stamp duty, fee or costs are payable in respect of the transfer of any assets, rights, liabilities or obligations between SETAs as contemplated in this section.

(8) The Registrar of Deeds on presentation of proof of any transfer of immovable property contemplated in this section must endorse the title deeds accordingly and make the entries in the relevant register that are necessary to register the transfer.

(9) Subject to sections 197 and 197A of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), the contracts of employment between the SETAs (herein referred to as 'the old employer') and its employees are automatically transferred to the amalgamated single SETA (herein referred to as 'the new employer') as from the date of the amalgamation contemplated in subsection (1), but any redeployment of an employee as a consequence of the amalgamation or dissolution is subject to applicable labour legislation.

(Section 9A(9) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(10) If two or more SETAs are amalgamated into a single SETA in terms of subsection (1), all the rights and obligations between the old employers and each employee at the time of the amalgamation continue in force as if they were rights and obligations between the new employer and each employee and anything done before the amalgamation by or in relation to the old employers must be regarded as having been done by or in relation to the new employer.

(Section 9A(10) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(11) An amalgamation contemplated in subsection (1) does not interrupt the employee's continuity of employment.

(Section 9A(11) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(12) The provisions of subsections (1) to (6) do not affect the liability of any person to be disciplined for, prosecuted for, convicted of and sentenced for any offence or misconduct.

(Section 9A(12) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(13) An employee is subject to the disciplinary codes and rules applicable to the new single amalgamated SETA as from the date of the amalgamation contemplated in subsection (1), but if any enquiry into incapacity or any proceedings in respect of a charge of misconduct had been instituted or commenced against any employee before the date of the amalgamation, such enquiry or proceedings continue in terms of the codes and rules applicable to the relevant SETA immediately prior to the amalgamation.

(Section 9A(13) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(14) Notwithstanding subsection (13), until the new single SETA has made disciplinary codes or rules, the disciplinary codes and rules of the respective old SETAs are applicable to employees.

(Section 9A(14) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(15) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the old employer may undertake rationalisation of its workforce according to operational requirements in accordance with section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), prior to the date of the amalgamation contemplated in subsection (1).

(Section 9A(15) added by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(Section 9A inserted by section 5 of Act 31 of 2003)

9B. Incorporation of subsector into SETA

(1) Subject to sections 197 and 197A of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), the Minister may, after consultation with the National Skills Authority and by notice in the Gazette, incorporate a SIC Code of one SETA into another SETA.

(2) The assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the SETA in respect of a subsector relating to the SIC Code in question devolve upon the SETA into which the SIC Code has been incorporated-

(a) in a manner agreed to by the Accounting Authorities of the SETAs concerned; or

(b) if no agreement can be reached, in the manner determined by the Minister.

(Section 9B inserted by section 7 of Act 26 of 2011)

10. Functions of SETA

(1) A SETA must, in accordance with any requirements that may be prescribed -

(a) develop a sector skills plan within the framework of the national skills development strategy;

(b) implement its sector skills plan by -

(i) establishing learning programmes;

(ii) approving workplace skills plans and annual training reports;

(iii) allocating grants in the prescribed manner and in accordance with any prescribed standards and criteria to employers, education and skills development providers and workers; and

(iv) monitoring education and skills development provision in the sector;

(i) identifying workplaces for practical work experience;

(ii) supporting the development of learning materials;

(iii) improving the facilitation of learning; and

(iv) assisting in the conclusion of agreements for learning programmes, to the extent that it is required;

(d) register agreements for learning programmes, to the extent that it is required;

(e) perform any functions delegated to it by the QCTO in terms of section 26I;

(f) when required to do so as contemplated in section 7(1) of the Skills Development Levies Act, collect the skills development levies, and must disburse the levies, allocated to it in terms of sections 8(3)(b) and 9(b), in its sector;

(g) liaise with the National Skills Authority on -

(i) the national skills development policy;

(ii) the national skills development strategy; and

(iii) its sector skills plan;

(h) submit to the Director-General -

(i) any budgets, reports and financial statements on its income and expenditure that it is required to prepare in terms of the Public Finance Management Act; and

(ii) strategic plans and reports on the implementation of its service level agreement:

(i) liaise with the provincial offices and labour centres of the Department and any education body established under any law regulating education in the Republic to improve information-

(i) about placement opportunities; and

(ii) between education and skills development providers and the labour market;

(iA) liaise with the skills development forums established in each province in such manner and on such issues as may be prescribed;

(j) subject to section 14, appoint staff necessary for the performance of its functions;

(jA) promote the national standard established in terms of section 30B;

(jB) liaise with the QCTO regarding occupational qualifications; and

(k) perform any other duties imposed by this Act or the Skills Development Levies Act or consistent with the purposes of this Act.

(Section 10(1) amended by section 3 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Section 10(1) amended by section 6 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 10(1) substituted by section 5 of Act 37 of 2008)

(2) A SETA has -

(a) all such powers as are necessary to enable it to perform its duties referred to in subsection (1); and

(b) the other powers conferred on the SETA by this Act or the Skills Development Levies Act.

(Section 10(2)(b) substituted by section 3(c) of Act 9 of 1999)

(3) A SETA must perform its functions in accordance with this Act, the Skills Development Levies Act and its constitution.

(Section 10(3) substituted by section 3(d) of Act 9 of 1999)

10A. SETAs to conclude service level agreements

(1) For each financial year, every SETA must conclude with the Director-General a service level agreement concerning-

(a) the SETA's performance of its functions in terms of this Act and the national skills development strategy;

(b) the SETA's annual business plan;

(Section 10A(1)(b) amended by section 8 of Act 26 of 2011)

(c) any assistance that the Director-General is to provide to the SETA in order to enable it to perform its functions; and

(Section 10A(1)(c) amended by section 8 of Act 26 of 2011)

(d) any assistance that the SETA is to provide in terms of this Act to assist the Minister in complying with his or her responsibility in accordance with the policy determined by the President of the Republic relating to service delivery and relating to the functions of the relevant SETA.

(Section 10A(1)(d) added by section 8 of Act 26 of 2011)

(2) If the Director-General and a SETA cannot agree on the contents of a service level agreement within the prescribed period, the Minister must determine the contents of the service level agreement after consulting the National Skills Authority.

(3) The determination by the Minister in respect of a service level agreement is final and binding.

(4) The Minister must, after consultation with the National Skills Authority, make regulations concerning-

(a) the procedure for negotiating a service level agreement, including the periods within which negotiations must be conducted;

(b) the matters which may be dealt with in a service level agreement and which may include-

(i) standards, criteria and targets for measuring and evaluating the SETA's performance of its functions in terms of the Act and its obligations in terms of the national skills development strategy; and

(ii) the timetable, number, format, contents and information requirements of plans and reports to be submitted to the Director-General.

(Section 10A inserted by section 7 of Act 31 of 2003)

11. Composition of Accounting Authority of SETA

(1)

(a) Subject to paragraph (b), the Minister must appoint the Chairperson of the Accounting Authority of a SETA after consultation with the National Skills Authority.

(b) The Minister must by notice in the Gazette invite nominations for the position of Chairperson of an Accounting Authority from interested parties in the relevant sector.

(2)

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) and section 13(2), the Minister must appoint 14 persons as members of the Accounting Authority of a SETA.

(b) The members referred to in paragraph (a) may not include more than-

(i) six persons who must be nominated by organised labour;

(ii) six persons who must be nominated by organised employers; and

(iii) two persons who must be nominated by-

(aa) any government department that has an interest in the relevant sector and that is not an organised employer;

(bb) any interested professional body;

(cc) any bargaining council with jurisdiction in the sector in question; or

(dd) any organisation in a community that has an identifiable interest in skills development in the sector in question.

(3)

(a) The members referred to in subsection (2) have full voting rights and, subject to paragraph (b), the Chairperson has no voting rights.

(b) In the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson has a casting vote.

(4) In appointing the members of contemplated in subsection (2), the Minister must ensure, in so far as is practicably possible, that the membership of the Accounting Authority in question-

(a) represents the interest identified in the national skills development strategy contemplated in section 5(1)(a)(ii);

(b) taken as a whole, achieves-

(i) gender representation;

(ii) demographic representation;

(iii) representation of disadvantaged persons or communities which have been prejudiced by past racial and gender discrimination in relation to access to skills development programmes; and

(iv) a blend of knowledge, skills and experience required for the effective functioning of the SETA in question; and

(5) The Minister must at least three months before the end of the period contemplated in section 9(1)(a) request the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant SETA contemplated in section 13B to invite nominations from organised labour, organised employers, government departments, professional bodies, bargaining councils and organisations contemplated in subsection (2) and listed in the constitution of the relevant SETA.

(Section 11 substituted by section 9 of Act 26 of 2011)

11A. Eligibility to become member of Accounting Authority

A person does not qualify for appointment to an Accounting Authority-

(a) unless he or she is a citizen of and is permanently residing in the Republic;

(b) if he or she is subject to an order of a competent court declaring such person to be mentally ill or disordered;

(d) if he or she is convicted, after the commencement of the Skills Development Amendment Act, 2011, whether in the Republic or elsewhere, of any offence for which such person is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine;

(e) if he or she, at any time prior to the commencement of the Skills Development Amendment Act, 2011, was convicted, or at any time after such commencement, is convicted-

(i) in the Republic, of theft, fraud, forgery and uttering a forged document, perjury, or an offence in terms of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1958 (Act No. 6 of 1958), the Corruption Act, 1992 (Act No. 94 of 1992), or Part 1 to 4, or section 17, 20 or 21 (in so far as it relates to the aforementioned offences) of Chapter 2 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act No. 12 of 2004);

(ii) elsewhere, of any offence corresponding materially with any offence contemplated in subparagraph (i); and

(iii) whether in the Republic or elsewhere, of any other offence involving dishonesty; or

(f) if he or she has been convicted of an offence under this Act.

(Section 11A inserted by section 10 of Act 26 of 2011)

11B. Vacation of office by members of Accounting Authority

(1) A member of the Accounting Authority vacates office if that member-

(a) resigns by written notice, addressed to the Accounting Authority and the Minister;

(b) no longer satisfies the eligibility requirements contemplated in section 11A; or

(Section 11B inserted by section 10 of Act 26 of 2011)

11C. Disclosure of conflict of interests

(1) A person may not be appointed on an Accounting Authority, unless the necessary disclosure has been made that such person-

(a) directly or indirectly, whether personally or through his or her spouse, partner or associate, has a direct or indirect financial interest in the SETA in question; or

(b) his or her spouse, partner or associate holds an office in or is employed by any SETA, organisation or other body, whether corporate or incorporate, which has a direct or indirect financial interest of the nature contemplated in paragraph (a).

(2) If at any stage during the course of any proceedings before the Accounting Authority it appears that any Accounting Authority member has or may have an interest which may cause such conflict of interest to arise on his or her part-

(a) such Accounting Authority member must forthwith fully disclose the nature of his or her interest and leave the meeting so as to enable the remaining Accounting Authority members to discuss the matter and determine whether such Accounting Authority member is precluded from participating in such meeting by reason of a conflict of interest; and

(b) such disclosure, and the decision taken by the remaining Accounting Authority members regarding such determination, must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting in question.

(3) If any Accounting Authority member fails to disclose any interest as required by subsection (2) or, subject to the provisions of that subsection, if he or she is present at the venue where a meeting of the Accounting Authority is held or in any manner whatsoever participates in the proceedings of the Accounting Authority, the relevant proceedings of the Accounting Authority shall be null and void.

(Section 11C inserted by section 10 of Act 26 of 2011)

12. Chambers of SETA

(1) A SETA may, with the Minister's approval, establish in its sector chambers.

(2) A chamber so established must consist of an equal number of members representing employees and employers and may include such additional members as the SETA determines.

(3) That chamber must perform those functions of the SETA as delegated to it in terms of the constitution of the SETA.

(4) A chamber of a SETA is entitled to such percentage of the skills development levies collected in its jurisdiction as the Minister after consultation with the SETA determines.

13. Constitution of SETA

(1) The Minister must provide a constitution for every SETA which, subject to this Act, must be in line with a standard constitution prescribed by the Minister.

(2) Subject to this Act, the standard constitution referred to in subsection (1) must at least contain the following matters:

(a) The responsibilities of the Accounting Authority of the SETA;

(b) The identification of the SETA by-

(i) name;

(ii) setting out its scope of coverage;

(iii) setting out its constituencies in the relevant sector; and

(iv) setting out its legal status;

(i) employers in the relevant sector; and

(ii) employees in the relevant sector;

(d) The functions of the SETA;

(e) The framework, procedure and process for the development of a strategic plan for the SETA relating to this Act and in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act;

(f) The Accounting Authority of the SETA in respect of-

(i) its composition of members in accordance with the number of members per constituency;

(ii) its powers and duties, and delegation of functions;

(iii) its size;

(iv) its capacity;

(v) the nomination and appointment of members;

(vi) consultation on proportional representation;

(vii) alternates for members;

(viii) the term of office of members;

(ix) the induction and capacity building of members and alternates;

(x) the first meeting at each new term of office of members;

(xi) the suspension of members;

(xii) the removal of members from office;

(xiii) the filling of vacancies in the Accounting Authority; and

(xiv) the application to the Accounting Authority for listing as new organisations;

(g) The establishment of-

(i) an Executive Committee, including its composition, term of office and functions;

(ii) an Audit Committee, including its composition, accountability and functions;

(iii) a Finance Committee, including its composition, accountability and functions;

(iv) a Remuneration Committee, including its composition, accountability and functions; and

(v) a Governance and Strategy Committee, including its composition, accountability and functions;

(h) The Chairperson of the Accounting Authority regarding his or her-

(i) appointment;

(ii) term of office;

(iii) functions;

(iv) temporary absence or incapacity; and

(v) vacation of office;

(i) Meetings, special meetings and meeting procedures of the Accounting Authority, Executive Committee, chambers and other committees;

(j) The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer and other employees and the duties of the Chief Executive Officer;

(k) The finances of the SETA, in respect of-

(i) sources of finance;

(ii) investments;

(iii) purposes for which funds may be used;

(iv) financial records of the SETA;

(v) the audit of the SETA;

(vi) the financial responsibility of the Executive Committee of the SETA; and

(vii) signatories to accounts;

(l) A code of conduct for the SETA;

(m) A dispute resolution system;

(n) The indemnification of members of the Accounting Authority of the SETA, members of committees and employees of the Accounting Authority;

(o) The amalgamation with other SETAs and the dissolution of the SETA;

(p) The taking over of the administration of the SETA; and

(q) The amendment of the constitution of the SETA.

(3) A SETA may apply to the Minister in writing for a deviation from the standard constitution referred to in subsection (1).

(4) The application contemplated in subsection (3) must set out the extent of the deviation requested and must be accompanied by a detailed motivation to justify the requested deviation.

(5) The Minister may approve the deviation contemplated in subsection (3) if the deviation-

(a) is unique to the functions and operation of the SETA in question;

(b) is justified within the framework of the national skills development strategy; and

(c) is recommended by the National Skills Authority as a deviation required by the operational needs of the SETA in question.

(Section 13(4) added by section 8 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 13 substituted by section 11 of Act 26 of 2011)

13A. Conduct of Accounting Authority member or staff member

(1) Any member of an Accounting Authority, or any member of the staff, of a SETA-

(a)

(i) must, before he or she assumes office, declare any business, commercial or financial activities undertaken for financial gain that may raise a possible conflict of interest with the SETA in question;

(ii) may not conduct business, directly or indirectly, with the SETA which constitutes a conflict of interest with the SETA;

(b)

(i) may not have a conflict of interest with the SETA in question;

(ii) may not have a direct or indirect financial, personal or other interest in any matter to be discussed at a meeting and which entails or may entail a conflict or possible conflict of interest with the SETA in question;

(iii) must, before the meeting and in writing, inform the chairperson of that meeting of that conflict or possible conflict of interest.

(2) The business referred to in subsection (1)(a) relates to conduct that is aimed at receiving any direct or indirect financial personal gain that does not form part of the employment relationship.

(3)

(a) Any person may, in writing, inform the chairperson of a meeting, before the meeting, of a conflict or possible conflict of interest of a member contemplated in subsection (1) with the SETA in question of which such person may be aware.

(b) A member referred to in paragraph (a) is obliged to recuse himself or herself from the meeting during the discussion of the matter and the voting thereon.

(4) A committee or chamber of the Accounting Authority with delegated functions in terms of this Act may not take a decision on a matter considered by it if any member has a conflict of interest contemplated in this section.

(5) A member of the Accounting Authority, or a member of a committee or chamber of the Accounting Authority contemplated in subsection (4), who contravenes section 11C(2) and (3) or this section may, after the Accounting Authority has followed a due process, be-

(a) suspended from attending a meeting; or

(b) disqualified as a member of the Accounting Authority or a member of a committee or chamber of the Accounting Authority, as the case may be.

(Section 13A inserted by section 12 of Act 26 of 2011)

13B. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

(1) The members of an Accounting Authority must within six months of their appointment, after following a transparent process, submit a list of names of three persons who have experience in accounting, financial and senior management matters to the Minister.

(2) The Minister must appoint one of the persons contemplated in subsection (1) as Chief Executive Officer of the SETA in question.

(3) The Chief Executive Officer must be appointed for a term of office that corresponds with the terms of office of the members of the Accounting Authority concerned, but may stay in office for a period of six months if the SETA in question has been re-established in terms of section 9(1)(b).

(4) The Minister must, after consultation with the National Skills Authority, make regulations regarding-

(a) the process that an Accounting Authority must follow for the purposes of subsection (1), including regarding-

(i) the advertising of the post;

(ii) the criteria and method of recruitment; and

(iii) the shortlisting and selection;

(b) the salary level of the Chief Executive Officer; and

(c) the criteria and process to enable an Accounting Authority to determine other conditions of service of the Chief Executive Officer.

(5) The Minister may make regulations regarding the performance by a Chief Executive Officer of his or her functions in terms of this Act in order to ensure that the SETA performs its functions contemplated in section 10A(1)(a) effectively.

(Section 13B inserted by section 12 of Act 26 of 2011)

14. Finances of SETA

(1) A SETA is financed from -

(a) 80 per cent of the skills development levies, interest and penalties collected in respect of the SETA, as allocated in terms of sections 8(3)(b) and 9(b) of the Skills Development Levies Act;

(Section 14(1)(a) substituted by section 4(a) of Act 9 of 1999)

(b) moneys paid to it from the National Skills Fund;

(d) income earned on surplus moneys deposited or invested;

(e) income earned on services rendered in the prescribed manner; and

(f) money received from any other source.

(2) The money received by a SETA must be paid into a banking account at any registered bank and may be invested only in -

(a) savings accounts, permanent shares or fixed deposits in any registered bank or other financial institution;

(b) internal registered stock contemplated in section 21(1) of the Exchequer Act, 1975 (Act No. 66 of 1975);

(Section 14(2)(c) deleted by section 4(b) of Act 9 of 1999)

(d) any other manner approved by the Minister.

(3) The moneys received by a SETA may be used only in the prescribed manner and in accordance with any prescribed standards or criteria to -

(Words preceding section 14(3)(a) substituted by section 9(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(a) fund the performance of its functions; and

(b) pay for its administration within the prescribed limit.

(3A) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), the Minister-

(a) must prescribe the total expenditure that a SETA may make on its administration; and

(b) may prescribe-

(i) the amount that a SETA may spend on any aspect of its administration;

(ii) salary bands within which categories of employees must be remunerated;

(iii) the conditions under which employees may receive performance-related payments and the maximum payment that may be made to an employee in this regard;

(iv) the allowances that may be paid to members and office- bearers of SETAs or any other persons who serve on a committee or other structure of a SETA.

(Section 14(3A) inserted by section 9(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(3B) For the purposes of subsections (3) and (3A), the administration of a SETA includes any aspect of the administration or management of a SETA, irrespective of who performs it."

(Section 14(3B) inserted by section 9(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(4) A SETA must be managed in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

(Section 14(4) substituted by section 9(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

(5) Every SETA must-

(a) prepare annual budgets, annual reports and financial statements in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Public Finance Management Act; and

(b) furnish the Director-General with copies of all budgets, reports and statements contemplated in paragraph (a) and any other information that it is required to submit in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.

(Section 14(5) substituted by section 9(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

(6) The Auditor-General must -

(a) audit the accounts, financial statements and financial management of a SETA; and

(b) report on that audit to the SETA and to the Minister and in that report express an opinion as to whether the SETA has complied with the provisions of this Act, and its constitution, relating to financial matters.

14A. Minister may issue written instructions to SETAs

(1) The Minister may issue a written instruction to a SETA if-

(a) the SETA is not performing any of its functions or not complying with its service level agreement;

(b) the SETA is not managing its finances in accordance with this Act;

(d) the SETA has not prepared and implemented an employment equity plan as contemplated in section 20 of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998).

(2) An instruction issued under subsection (1) must set out-

(a) the reason for issuing the instruction;

(b) any provision of the Act that the SETA has not complied with; and

(3) At the request of a SETA, the Minister may-

(a) extend the period for complying with an instruction; or

(b) revise the terms of the instruction.

(4) If a SETA has not complied with an instruction issued in terms of this section within the specified period, the Minister may-

(a) direct the Director-General to withhold all or part of the allocation to the SETA in terms of section 8(3)(b) of the Skills Development Levies Act for such period and on such conditions as the Director-General may determine;

(b) invoke section 15 without further notice to the SETA;

(d) take any other steps necessary to ensure that the SETA performs its functions or manages its finances in accordance with this Act;

(5) If a SETA has unreasonably failed to institute disciplinary proceedings for misconduct against any employee of the SETA, the Minister may direct the SETA to institute disciplinary proceedings against that employee.

(Section 14A inserted by section 10 of Act 31 of 2003)

15. Taking over administration of SETA

(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the National Skills Authority and the SETA in question, direct the Director-General to appoint an administrator to take over the administration of a SETA or to perform the functions of a SETA if -

(a) the SETA fails to perform its functions;

(b) there is mismanagement of its finances;

(d) the SETA has failed to comply with its service level agreement; or

(e) the SETA has failed to comply with an instruction issued by the Minister in terms of section 14A.

(Section 15(1) substituted by section 11(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(2) The Director-General must publish a notice in the Gazette appointing an administrator and in that notice the Director-General-

(a) must determine the powers and duties of the administrator, which may include the performance by the administrator of the SETA's functions in terms of the Public Finance Management Act;

(b) may suspend or replace one or more members of the SETA for a reason contemplated in subsection (1)(a) to (e);

(d) may direct the transfer of all or some of the funds in the SETA's bank account to the National Skills Fund.

(Section 15(2) substituted by section 11(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(3) If a notice is published in terms of subsection (1), the Minister may, to ensure that the SETA resumes the performance of its functions -

(a) amend its constitution;

(b) reinstate any of its members; and

(c) withdraw or amend any provision of the notice contemplated in subsection (2) on such conditions as the Minister considers appropriate.

(4) The Minister may act in terms of subsection (1) without consulting the National Skills Authority and the SETA in question if there is financial mismanagement of the SETA and the delay caused by the consultation would be detrimental to the SETA's capacity to perform its functions.

(Section 15(4) added by section 11(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(Commencement date of Chapter 3: 10 September 1999)

CHAPTER 4

LEARNERSHIPS

16. Learnerships

A SETA may establish a learnership if -

(a) the learnership includes a structured learning component;

(b) the learnership includes a structured work experience component;

(c) the learnership would lead to a qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority associated with a trade, occupation or profession; and

(d) the intended learnership is registered with the Director-General in the prescribed manner.

(Section 16 substituted by section 6 of Act 37 of 2008)

17. Learnership agreements

(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, a "learnership agreement" means an agreement entered into for a specified period between -

(a) a learner;

(b) an employer or a group of employers (in this section referred to as "the employer"); and

(Section 17(1) substituted by section 7(a) of Act 37 of 2008)

(2) The terms of a learnership agreement must oblige -

(a) the employer to -

(i) employ the learner for the period specified in the agreement;

(ii) provide the learner with the specified practical work experience; and

(iii) release the learner to attend the education and training specified in the agreement;

(b) the learner to -

(i) work for the employer; and

(ii) attend the specified education and training; and

(i) the education and training specified in the agreement; and

(ii) the learner support specified in the agreement.

(Section 17(2)(c) amended by section 7(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

(3) A learnership agreement must be in the prescribed form and registered with a SETA in the prescribed manner.

(4) A learnership agreement may not be terminated before the expiry of the period of duration specified in the agreement unless -

(a) the learner meets the requirements for the successful completion of the learnership;

(b) the SETA which registered the agreement approves of such termination; or

(5) The employer or skills development provider that is party to a learnership agreement may be substituted with -

(a) the consent of the learner; and

(b) the approval of the SETA which registered the agreement.

(Section 17(5) amended by section 7(b) of Act 37 of 2008)

(6) A SETA must, in the prescribed manner, provide the Director-General with a record of learnership agreements registered by the SETA.

(7) The Minister may make regulations -

(a) permitting an employer to enter into an agreement with an agency to perform the employer's obligations and exercise the employer's rights in respect of a learnership agreement or, in respect of a learner contemplated in section 18(2), a contract of employment;

(Section 17(7)(a) amended by section 7(c) of Act 37 of 2008)

(b) prescribing the relationship between the employer and the agency contemplated in paragraph (a).

(Section 17(7)(c) added by section 7(d) of Act 37 of 2008)

(d) making it an offence to operate an agency contemplated in paragraph (a) except in accordance with such regulations.

(Section 17(7)(d) added by section 7(d) of Act 37 of 2008)

(Section 17(7) added by section 12 of Act 31 of 2003)

18. Contract of employment with learner

(1) If a learner was in the employment of the employer party to the learnership agreement concerned when the agreement was concluded, the learner's contract of employment is not affected by the agreement.

(2) If the learner was not in the employment of the employer party to the learnership agreement concerned when the agreement was concluded, the employer and learner must enter into a contract of employment.

(3) The contract of employment with a learner contemplated in subsection (2) is subject to any terms and conditions that may be determined by the Minister on the recommendation of the Employment Conditions Commission established by section 59(1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

(4) Chapters Eight and Nine[1] of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply, with the changes required by the context, to a determination made in terms of subsection (3) except that -

(a) for the purposes of section 54(3) of that Act, the Employment Conditions Commission must also consider the likely impact that any proposed condition of employment may have on the employment of learners and the achievement of the purposes of this Act; and

(b) section 55(7) of that Act does not apply.

(5) The contract of employment of a learner may not be terminated before the expiry of the period of duration specified in the learnership agreement unless the learnership agreement is terminated in terms of section 17(4).

(6) The contract of employment of a learner terminates at the expiry of the period of duration specified in the learnership agreement unless the agreement was concluded with a person who was already in the employment of the employer party to the agreement when the agreement was concluded.

19. Disputes about learnerships

(1) For the purposes of this section a "dispute" means a dispute about -

(a) the interpretation or application of any provision of -

(i) a learnership agreement;

(ii) a contract of employment of a learner contemplated in section 18(2); or

(Section 19(1)(a)(ii) substituted by section 13(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(iii) a determination made in terms of section 18(3);

(b) this Chapter; or

(i) a learnership agreement; or

(ii) a contract of employment of a learner contemplated in section 18(2).

(Section 19(1)(c)(ii) substituted by section 13(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(2) Any party to a dispute may in writing refer the dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration established by section 112 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995).

(3) The party who so refers the dispute must satisfy that Commission that a copy of the referral has been served on all the other parties to the dispute.

(4) The Commission must attempt to resolve the dispute through conciliation.

(5) If the dispute remains unresolved, any party may request that the dispute be resolved through arbitration as soon as possible.

(6) The law that applies to the lawfulness[2] and fairness[3] of a dismissal for a reason related to an employee's capacity or conduct applies to a dispute contemplated in subsection (1)(c)(ii).

(7) Notwithstanding section 210 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), this section must be regarded as expressly amending any contrary provision in that Act.

(Section 19(7) added by section 13(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

(Commencement date of Chapter 4: 1 April 2001)

CHAPTER 5

SKILLS PROGRAMMES

20. Skills programmes

(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, a "skills programme" means a skills programme that -

(a) is occupationally based;

(b) when completed, will constitute a credit towards a qualification registered in terms of the National Qualifications Framework contemplated in Chapter 2 of the NQF Act;

(Section 20(1)(b) substituted by section 13 of Act 26 of 2011)

(Section 20(1)(c) substituted by section 14 of Act 31 of 2003)

(d) complies with any requirements that may be prescribed.

(Section 20(1)(d) substituted by section 14 of Act 31 of 2003)

(2) Any person that has developed a skills programme may apply to -

(a) a SETA with jurisdiction for a grant; or

(b) the Director-General for a subsidy.

(3) The SETA or the Director-General may fund the skills programme if -

(a) it complies with -

(i) subsection (1);

(ii) any requirements imposed by the SETA or the Director-General; and

(iii) any prescribed requirements; and

(b) it is in accordance with -

(i) the sector skills development plan of the SETA; or

(ii) the national skills development strategy; and

(4) A SETA or the Director-General may set any terms and conditions for funding in terms of subsection (3) that the SETA or the Director-General, as the case may be, considers necessary.

(5) The SETA or the Director-General must monitor the skills programmes funded by the SETA or the Director-General, as the case may be.

(6) A SETA or the Director-General that has made funds available for a skills programme may withhold funds or recover any funds paid if the SETA or the Director-General, as the case may be, is of the opinion that -

(a) the funds are not being used for the purpose for which they were made available;

(b) any term or condition of the funding is not complied with; or

21. Disputes

Any party to a dispute about the application or interpretation of -

(a) any term or condition of funding referred to in section 20(4); or

(b) any provision of this Chapter, may refer the dispute to the Labour Court for adjudication.

(Commencement date of Chapter 5: 10 September 1999)

CHAPTER 6

INSTITUTIONS IN DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

(Heading substituted by section 15 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Heading substituted by section 8 of Act 37 of 2008)

22. Administration of Act by Department

(1) Subject to the laws governing the public service, the Director-General must ensure that the Department, including its provincial offices and labour centres, has the personnel and financial resources necessary for the performance of its functions in terms of this Act.

(2) The functions of the Department in terms of this Act are -

(a) to research and analyse the labour market in order to determine skills development needs for -

(i) South Africa as a whole;

(ii) each sector of the economy; and

(iii) organs of state;

(b) to assist in the formulation of -

(i) the national skills development strategy; and

(ii) sector skills development plans; and

(i) the Minister;

(ii) the National Skills Authority;

(iii) SETAs;

(iv) education and skills development providers;

(v) organs of state.

(vi) the skills development forums in each province:

(vii) the QCTO; and

(viii) any other interested party; and

(d) to perform any other function assigned or delegated to the Department in terms of this Act.

(Section 22 substituted by section 9 of Act 37 of 2008)

23. Employment services

(1) The functions of provincial offices of the Department in respect of employment services are-

(a) to plan, coordinate, support, monitor and report on all activities occurring at all labour centres;

(b) to establish a skills development forum as prescribed;

(d) to perform any other prescribed or delegated function.

(Section 23(1) substituted by section 10 of Act 37 of 2008)

(2) The functions of the labour centres of the Department in respect of employment services are-

(a) to provide information to workers, employers and skills development providers, including the unemployed;

(b) to register work-seekers;

(d) to assist workers and other prescribed categories of persons -

(i) to enter learning programmes;

(ii) to find placement opportunities;

(iii) to start income-generating projects; and

(iv) to participate in placement programmes;

(e) to develop plans, programmes and coherent strategies to extend services to rural communities; and

(f) to perform any other prescribed function related to the functions referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e).

(Section 23(2) substituted by section 10 of Act 37 of 2008)

(3) The Minister may, after consulting the National Skills Authority, by notice in the Gazette, require each employer to notify a labour centre in the prescribed manner of -

(a) any vacancy that employer has; and

(b) the employment of any work-seeker referred by that labour centre.

24. Registration of persons that provide employment services

(1) Any person who wishes to provide employment services for gain must apply for registration as a private employment services agency to the Director-General in the prescribed manner.

(Section 24(1) substituted by section 16(a) of Act 31 of 2003)

(2) The Director-General must register the applicant if satisfied that the prescribed criteria have been met.

(3) If the Director-General -

(a) registers an applicant, the prescribed certificate must be issued to that person; or

(b) refuses to register an applicant, the Director-General must give written notice of that decision to the applicant.

(4) A registered private employment services agency must comply with the prescribed criteria.

(Section 24(4) substituted by section 16(b) of Act 31 of 2003)

(5) The Director-General may withdraw the registration of any private employment services agency that fails to comply with this Act or any prescribed requirements or criteria.

(Section 24(5) added by section 16(c) of Act 31 of 2003)

25. Cancellation of registration of private employment services agency

(1) Subject to this section, the Director-General may cancel the registration of a private employment services agency if the private employment services agency is not complying with the prescribed criteria.

(2) If the Director-General has reason to believe that a private employment services agency is not complying with the prescribed criteria and accordingly that its registration should be cancelled, the Director-General must, before cancelling its registration -

(a) notify the agency of the intention to cancel registration and the reasons for doing so;

(b) give the agency 30 days from the date of the notice to make representations on why its registration should not be cancelled; and

(3) If the Director-General cancels the registration of a private employment services agency, the Director-General must give written notice of that decision to the private employment services agency.

(Section 25 substituted by section 17 of Act 31 of 2003)

26. Appeal against Director-General's decision

(1) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Director-General in terms of section 24(3)(b) or 25(3) may, within 30 days of the written notice of that decision, in writing, request the Director-General to give that person written reasons for the decision.

(2) The Director-General must give that person written reasons for the decision within 30 days of receiving that request.

(3) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Director-General in terms of section 24(3)(b) or 25(3) may appeal to the Labour Court against that decision within 60 days of -

(a) the date of the Director-General's decision; or

(b) if written reasons for the decision are requested, the date of those reasons.

(4) The Labour Court may, on good cause shown, extend the period within which a person may note that appeal.

(Commencement date of Chapter 6: 10 September 1999)

CHAPTER 6A

ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT

26A. National artisan moderation body

(1) The Director-General must-

(a) establish a national artisan moderation body in the Department; and

(b) provide the body contemplated in paragraph (a) with the personnel and financial resources that are necessary to coordinate artisan development in the Republic.

(2) The functions of the national artisan moderation body are to-

(a) monitor the performance of accredited artisan trade lest centres;

(b) moderate artisan trade tests;

(c) develop, maintain and apply a national data-bank of instruments for assessment and moderation of artisan trade tests;

(d) develop and maintain a national data-base of registered artisan trade assessors and moderators;

(e) record artisan achievements;

(f) determine appeals against assessment decisions;

(g) recommend the certification of artisans to the QCTO; and

(h) perform any other prescribed function.

(Section 26A inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26B. Listing of trades

The Minister may, on application by one or more SETAs in the prescribed form, by notice in the Gazette-

(a) list any occupation as a trade for which an artisan qualification is required;

(b) remove any trade from the list contemplated in subparagraph (a) if an artisan qualification is no longer required for that trade.

(Section 26B inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26C. National register of artisans

(1) The Director-General must maintain a register of persons-

(a) who have obtained an artisan qualification in terms of this Act or any repealed Act; and

(b) who are practicing that trade.

(2)

(a) No person, whether employed or self-employed, may hold themselves out to be qualified as an artisan in a listed trade unless that person is registered as an artisan in terms of subsection (1).

(b) Paragraph (a) does not affect any requirement that any professional or regulatory body regulating any listed trade may require for the practice of that trade.

(3) For the purpose of this section, a person qualified to be an artisan in terms of any repealed Act includes any person who completed a contract of apprenticeship under a time-based apprenticeship system in terms of any conditions of apprenticeship published in terms of any repealed Act.

(4) The Minister may make regulations concerning-

(a) the criteria and procedure for the name of any person to be included on, or removed from, the register of artisans;

(b) any other matter necessary for maintaining the register of artisans.

(Section 26C inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26D. Trade tests

(1) Subject to any regulation made in terms of subsection (5), no person may obtain an artisan qualification in terms of this Act unless they have successfully undergone a trade test administered by an accredited trade test centre.

(2) A person may apply to undergo a trade test in respect of a trade if-

(a) that person has completed a learnership relevant to that trade; or

(b) that person has satisfied the relevant requirements of an apprenticeship in respect of that trade; or

(c) an accredited trade test centre has certified that the person has acquired sufficient prior learning related to that trade; and

(d) that person has completed any other learning programme resulting in an occupational or vocational qualification inclusive of prescribed work experience that entitles such person to undergo the relevant trade test.

(3) An accredited trade test centre may require any person who applies to undergo a trade test to undergo a preliminary evaluation to determine whether that person has sufficient experience and knowledge in respect of the trade in question to undergo the trade test.

(4) The QCTO must issue any person who successfully completed a trade test with a trade certificate in the prescribed form, stating that that person is qualified to perform the trade specified in the certificate.

(5) The Minister, after consulting the QCTO, may make regulations concerning-

(a) the procedure for applying to undergo a trade test;

(b) the criteria for determining whether a learner should be required to undergo a preliminary trade test evaluation;

(d) the contents of a preliminary evaluation or trade test in respect of any trade;

(e) any matter related to conducting or moderating of trade tests;

(f) the criteria for granting exemptions from all or some of the requirements in respect of a trade test before being registered as an artisan;

(g) the form of certificate issued to artisans who successfully undergo a trade test:

(h) any other matter necessary for the conducting or moderating of trade tests.

(Section 26D inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

CHAPTER 6B

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES

26E. Skills development institutes

(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, establish skills development institutes in accordance with the prescribed requirements and may contribute the resources that are necessary for the effective performance of their functions.

(2) A skills development institute may-

(a) provide advisory services on skills development, mentoring and the recognition of prior learning;

(b) provide learning programmes; and

(3) The Minister may make regulations concerning-

(a) the establishment, functions, operation, legal status, governance and funding of skills development institutes;

(b) any other matter that it is necessary or expedient to prescribe in order to enable skills development institutes to perform their functions.

(4) The Minister may make different regulations under subsection (2) with respect to different skills development institutes.

(Section 26E inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

CHAPTER 6C

QUALITY COUNCIL FOR TRADES AND OCCUPATIONS

26F. Policy on occupational standards and qualifications

(1) The Minister, after consulting the QCTO, may by notice in the Gazette determine policy on-

(a) an occupational qualifications sub-framework as an integral part of the National Qualifications Framework;

(b) the sub-framework for quality assurance for occupational qualifications; and

(Section 26F inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26G. Establishment of QCTO

(1) The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations is hereby established as a juristic person.

(2) The QCTO must be managed in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

(3) The QCTO consists of 16 members appointed by the Minister in accordance with Schedule 3.

(4) The Minister must approve a constitution for the QCTO which, subject to this Act, complies with the requirements set out in Schedule 3.

(5)

(a) The Minister must appoint the chief executive officer of the QCTO on the recommendation of the members of the QCTO.

(b) If the Minister does not agree with the recommendation of the members of the QCTO, they must make another recommendation for consideration by the Minister.

(c) The QCTO must appoint such number of employees to assist the QCTO in the performance of its functions as it may deem necessary.

(d) Despite paragraph (a), the QCTO is the employer of the executive officer and employees and must determine their remuneration, allowances, subsidies and other conditions of service.

(e) Staff identified in posts on the establishment of the Department who immediately before the commencement of the Higher Education Laws Amendment Act, 2010, performs functions relating to the administrative management of the QCTO may, subject to section 197 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), be appointed or transferred to the QCTO.

(Section 26G(5) substituted by section 5 of Act 26 of 2010)

(6) The QCTO is financed from-

(a) money voted by Parliament for this purpose;

(b) income earned from services rendered by it;

(d) money received from any other source.

(Section 26G inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26H. Functions of QCTO

(1) The QCTO must advise the Minister on all matters of policy concerning occupational standards and qualifications.

(2) The QCTO must perform its functions in terms of this Act and the NQF Act.

(Section 26H(2) substituted by section 20 of Act 26 of 2011)

(3) Subject to any policy issued by the Minister in terms of section 26F, the QCTO is responsible for-

(a) establishing and maintaining occupational standards and qualifications;

(b) the quality assurance of occupational standards and qualifications and learning in and for the workplace;

(c) designing and developing occupational standards and qualifications and submitting them to the South African Qualifications Authority for registration on the National Qualifications Framework;

(d) ensuring the quality of occupational standards and qualifications and learning in and for the workplace;

(e) promoting the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework;

(f) liaising with the National Skills Authority on the suitability and adequacy of occupational standards and qualifications and on the quality of learning in and for the workplace;

(g) liaising with the South African Qualifications Authority, other Quality Councils and professional bodies responsible for establishing standards and qualifications or the quality assurance of standards and qualifications; and

(h) performing any other prescribed function.

(4) The QCTO has all such powers as are necessary to enable it to perform its functions in terms of this section.

(5) The Minister may issue written instructions, which are not inconsistent with any policy made by the Minister in terms of section 26F, to the QCTO regarding the performance of its functions in terms of subsection (3).

(6) The QCTO must comply with-

(a) any policy determined by the Minister in terms of section 26F; and

(b) any written instruction issued by the Minister in terms of subsection (5).

(Section 26H inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26I. Delegation of functions

(1) The QCTO may, in writing and subject to such conditions as it may determine, delegate any of its functions to-

(a) the executive officer of the QCTO;

(b) a committee of the QCTO;

(d) a SETA; or

(e) any other suitable body.

(2) A delegation under subsection (1)-

(a) does not divest the QCTO of the function delegated and the QCTO may at any time review, amend or set aside any decision made under the delegation;

(b) does not prevent the performance of the function by the QCTO itself; and

(Section 26I inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26J. Regulations regarding occupational standards and qualifications

The Minister may, after consulting the QCTO, by notice in the Gazette make regulations regarding-

(a) the setting of occupational standards and qualifications;

(b) the recognition and registration of occupational curricula;

(d) the approval of occupational learning programmes;

(e) the registration of occupational assessors and moderators;

(f) the certification for occupational standards and qualifications;

(g) the accreditation of occupational assessment centres;

(h) the approval of workplaces for occupational training and the monitoring of workplaces for occupational training;

(i) the provision of occupational foundational learning;

(j) the provision of internships;

(k) the appointment of occupational communities of expert practice;

(l) the organising framework for occupations;

(m) the recognition of prior learning in respect of occupational qualifications; and

(n) any other matter concerning occupational standards and qualifications or which it is necessary or expedient to prescribe in order to enable the QCTO to perform its functions under this Act.

(Section 26J inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

CHAPTER 6D

WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS

26K. Establishment of Productivity South Africa

(1) Productivity South Africa is hereby established as a juristic person.

(2) Productivity South Africa must be managed in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

(3) The Board of Productivity South Africa consists of seven members appointed by the Minister in accordance with Schedule 4.

(4) The Minister must approve a constitution for Productivity South Africa which, subject to this Act, complies with the requirements set out in Schedule 4.

(Section 26K inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26L. Functions of Productivity South Africa

The functions of Productivity South Africa are-

(a) to promote a culture of productivity in workplaces;

(b) to develop relevant productivity competencies;

(d) to measure and evaluating productivity in the workplace;

(e) to maintain a data-base of productivity and competitiveness systems and publicising these systems;

(f) to undertake productivity-related research;

(g) to support initiatives aimed at preventing job losses; and

(h) to perform any other prescribed function.

(Section 26L inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26M. Finances of Productivity South Africa

Productivity South Africa is financed from-

(a) money voted by Parliament for this purpose;

(b) income earned from services rendered by it;

(d) money received from any other source.

(Section 26M inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

26N. Regulations regarding workplace productivity and competitiveness

The Minister may, after consulting Productivity South Africa, by notice in the Gazette make regulations regarding any improvements in workplace productivity and competitiveness which it is necessary or expedient to prescribe in order to enable Productivity South Africa to perform its functions under this Act.

(Section 26N inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008)

CHAPTER 7

FINANCING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

27. National Skills Fund

(1) The National Skills Fund is hereby established.

(2) The Fund must be credited with -

(a) 20 per cent of the skills development levies, interest and penalties collected in respect of every SETA, as required by sections 8(3)(a) and 9(a) of the Skills Development Levies Act;

(Section 27(2)(a) substituted by section 5 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Commencement date of section 27(2)(a): 10 September 1999)

(b) the skills development levies, interest and penalties collected by the Commissioner from employers which do not fall within the jurisdiction of a SETA, as required by section 8(3)(c) of the Skills Development Levies Act.

(Section 27(2)(b) substituted by section 5 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Commencement date of section 27(2)(b): 10 September 1999)

(d) interest earned on investments contemplated in section 29(3) ;

(e) donations to the Fund; and

(f) money received from any other source.

28. Use of money in Fund

(1) The money in the Fund may be used only for the projects identified in the national skills development strategy as national priorities or for such other projects related to the achievement of the purposes of this Act as the Director-General determines.

(2) The money allocated to the Fund in terms of section 8(3)(a) of the Skills Development Levies Act may be used to administer the Fund within a prescribed limit.

(Section 28 amended by section 18 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 28 substituted by section 12 of Act 37 of 2008)

29. Control and administration of Fund

(1) The Director-General is the accounting authority of the Fund as contemplated by section 49(2)(b) of the Public Finance Management Act and must-

(a) control the Fund;

(b) keep a proper record of all financial transactions, assets and liabilities of the Fund;

(d) subject to the laws governing the public service, appoint the executive officer of the Fund who will, upon such appointment, be in the employ of the public service.

(1A) The Fund must be managed in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

(2) Any money in the Fund not required for immediate use may be invested in accordance with an investment policy approved by the Director-General that complies with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act and may be withdrawn when required.

(3) Any unexpended balance in the Fund at the end of the financial year must be carried forward to the next financial year as a credit to the Fund.

(4) The annual financial statements contemplated in subsection (1)(c) must be submitted by the Director-General to the National Skills Authority for information as soon as possible after they have been prepared.

(Section 29 amended by section 19 of Act 31 of 2003)

(Section 29 substituted by section 13 of Act 37 of 2008)

30. Budget for training by public service employers

Each public service employer in the national and provincial spheres of government -

(a) must budget for at least-

(i) 0,5 per cent of its payroll with effect from 1 April 2000;

(ii) one per cent of its payroll with effect from 1 April 2001,

for the training and education of its employees; and

(Section 30(a) substituted by section 6 of Act 9 of 1999)

(b) may contribute funds to a SETA.

(Commencement date of section 30: 10 September 1999)

30A. Budget for training by national and provincial public entities

If 80 per cent or more of the expenditure of a national or provincial public entity is defrayed directly or indirectly from funds voted by Parliament, that entity -

(a) must annually budget at least one per cent of its payroll for the training and education of its employees; and

(b) may contribute funds to a SETA.

(Section 30A inserted by section 7 of Act 9 of 1999)

(Section 30A substituted by section 20 of Act 31 of 2003)

30B. National standard of good practice in skills development

(1) In order to achieve the purposes of this Act, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, establish a national standard of good practice in skills development.

(2) The Minister may take any steps necessary to achieve the national standard contemplated in subsection (1) and may establish an agency or contract with an existing agency.

(3) The Director-General may allocate funds from the National Skills Fund to fund any activity undertaken in terms of this section.

(Section 30B inserted by section 21 of Act 31 of 2003)

CHAPTER 8

GENERAL

31. Jurisdiction of Labour Court

(1) Subject to the jurisdiction of the Labour Appeal Court and except where this Act provides otherwise, the Labour Court has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of all matters arising from this Act.

(2) The Labour Court may review any act or omission of any person in connection with this Act on any grounds permissible in law.

(3) If proceedings concerning any matter contemplated in subsection (1) are instituted in a court that does not have jurisdiction in respect of that matter, that court may at any stage during proceedings refer the matter to the Labour Court.

32. Monitoring, enforcement and legal proceedings

(1) Chapter Ten, and sections 90 to 93 of and Schedule Two to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply, with changes required by the context, to-

(a) the monitoring and enforcement of this Act; and

(b) any legal proceedings concerning a contravention of this Act.

(2) A labour inspector appointed in terms of section 63 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act may issue an order in the prescribed form requiring any person to cease conducting the business of a private employment services agency in contravention of this Act.

(Section 32 substituted by section 22 of Act 31 of 2003)

33. Offences

It is an offence to -

(a) obstruct or attempt to influence improperly a person who is performing a function in terms of this Act;

(b) obtain or attempt to obtain any prescribed document by means of fraud, false pretences or by submitting a false or forged prescribed document;

(Section 33(c) amended by section 23 of Act 31 of 2003)

(d) provide employment services for gain without being registered in terms of section 24; or

(Section 33(d) amended by section 23 of Act 31 of 2003)

(e) conduct the business of a private employment services agency in contravention of this Act or any prescribed requirement.

(Section 33(e) added by section 23 of Act 31 of 2003)

34. Penalties

Any person convicted of an offence referred to in section 33 may be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.

35. Delegation

(1) The Minister may in writing delegate to the Director-General or any other officer of the Department any power or duty conferred or imposed on the Minister by this Act.

(2) The Director-General may, in writing, delegate to any officer of the Department any power or duty conferred or imposed on the Director-General by this Act.

(3) Any person to whom any power or duty has been delegated in terms of subsection (1) or (2) must exercise that power or perform that duty subject to the conditions that the person who made the delegation considers necessary.

(4) Any delegation in terms of subsection (1) or (2) -

(a) must be in writing;

(b) does not prevent the person who made the delegation from exercising the power or performing the duty so delegated; and

36. Regulations

The Minister may, after consultation with the National Skills Authority, by notice in the Gazette, make regulations regarding -

(a) any matter which may or must be prescribed under this Act;

(b) any procedure, period, criterion or standard for SETAs to perform any function in terms of section 10(1);

(d) the criteria or conditions that may be attached to grants allocated in terms of section 10(1)(b)(iii);

(e) the evaluation of applications for grants in terms of section 10(1)(b)(iii);

(f) the manner in which grants may be allocated in terms of section 10(1)(b)(iii);

(g) the exercise by a SETA of any power contemplated in section 10(2);

(h) the content, format and timeframe for submitting any report or plan that SETAs are required to submit in terms of this Act;

(i) the services in respect of which a SETA may earn income in terms of section 14(1)(e) and the fees, including maximum fees, that may be charged in respect of such services;

(j) the financial systems that SETAs are required to utilise;

(k) the submission by employers to SETAs of workplace skills plans and reports and the form and contents of such reports;

(l) the appointment by employers of workplace skills facilitators and the obligations of employers in respect of workplace skills facilitators;

(m) the rights and functions of workplace skills facilitators;

(n) the rights of registered trade unions, or other employee representatives, to consult with their employer over developing, implementing and reporting on workplace skills plans and on other matters dealt with in this Act;

(o) circumstances specified in the regulations under which a private employment services agency may charge fees in respect of any services provided by private employment services agencies and the maximum fees that may be charged;

(p) services for which private employment services agencies may not charge work-seekers fees;

(q) a form for registering private employment services agencies;

(r) the administration, operation, functioning and obligations of the National Skills Fund; and

(rA) any matter concerning the administration of apprenticeships or other qualifications in terms of any repealed Act, including, but not limited to, issuing duplicate certificates;

(Section 36(rA) inserted by section 14 of Act 37 of 2008)

(rB) providing for the establishment of skills development forums in respect of each provincial office and specifying the operation, composition and functions of the forums;

(Section 36(rB) inserted by section 14 of Act 37 of 2008)

(s) any other matter which it is necessary or expedient to prescribe in order to achieve the purposes of this Act.

(Section 36 substituted by section 24 of Act 31 of 2003)

37. Repeal of laws and transitional provisions

(1) The laws referred to Schedule 1 are hereby repealed to the extent specified.

(2) The repeal of those laws is subject to any transitional provision in Schedule 2.

(3) Schedule 2 to the principal Act is hereby repealed, except for item 4A.

(Section 37(3) added by section 15 of Act 37 of 2008)

38. Act binds State

This Act binds the State.

39. Short title and commencement

(1) This Act is called the Skills Development Act, 1998.

(2) This Act takes effect on a date to be determined by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.

(Commencement date of Chapter 8: 10 September 1999)

SCHEDULE 1

REPEAL OF LAWS

(Section 37(1))

No. and year of law

Short title

Extent of repeal

Act No. 56 of 1981

Manpower Training Act, 1981

The whole.

Act No. 62 of 1981

Guidance and Placement Act, 1981

The whole.

Act No. 41 of 1985

Local Government Training Act, 1985

The whole.

Act No. 106 of 1996

Telecommunications Act, 1996

Sections 78 to 87.

SCHEDULE 2

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

(Section 37(2))

1. Definitions

2. National Training Board

3. Manpower Development Fund

4. Training boards and apprenticeships

4A. Mining Qualifications Authority

5. Training centres

6. Arrangements for training of trainees

7. Grants-in-aid

8. Fund for Training of Unemployed Persons

9. Training schemes

10. Training levies

11. Training advisers

12. Registered work-seekers

13. Private employment offices

14. Local government sector

15. Telecommunications sector

16. Exemptions from transfer duty, donations tax or any other tax

1. Definitions

In this Part -

"Guidance and Placement Act" means the Guidance and Placement Act, 1981 (Act No. 62 of 1981);

"Local Government Training Act" means the Local Government Training Act, 1985 (Act No. 41 of 1985);

"Manpower Training Act" means the Manpower Training Act, 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981); and

"Telecommunications Act" means the Telecommunications Act, 1996 (Act No. 103 of 1996).

2. National Training Board

Until the chairperson and other members of the National Skills Authority are appointed, the National Training Board, established in terms of section 3 of the Manpower Training Act, continues to exist and to perform the functions of the National Skills Authority.

3. Manpower Development Fund

All assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Manpower Development Fund, established by section 38 of the Manpower Training Act, are hereby transferred to the National Skills Fund.

4. Training boards and apprenticeships

(1) Subject to subitem (4), a training board, established and accredited in terms of sections 12A and 12B of the Manpower Training Act, continues to exist and perform its functions as if that Act had not been repealed, until 31 March 2000.

(2) When a training board ceases to exist on 31 March 2000 -

(a) that training board must be wound up in terms of its constitution; and

(b) any apprentice under a contract of apprenticeship, registered by that training board and in existence immediately before the training board ceases to exist, must be dealt with as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed except that the Director-General must perform the functions of the training board until that contract of apprenticeship expires.

(3) The Minister must, by notice in the Gazette, abolish a training board before 31 March 2000 if -

(a) a SETA is established; and

(b) that SETA has jurisdiction over any part of an industry or area in respect of which the training board has been accredited in terms of section 12B of the Manpower Training Act.

(4) When a training board is abolished in terms of a notice referred to in subitem (3) -

(a) all the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the training board are transferred to the SETA designated in that notice; and

(b) any apprentice under a contract of apprenticeship, registered by the training board and in existence immediately before the training board is abolished, must, subject to subitem (6), be dealt with as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed except that that SETA must perform the functions of the training board until the contract of apprenticeship expires.

(5)

(a) Subject to subitem (4)(b), all sections of the Manpower Training Act that concern apprentices remain in force as if that Act had not been repealed until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

(b) For the purposes of this subitem-

(i) any function of the registrar must be performed by an official of the Department of Labour designated for that purpose in writing by the Minister;

(ii) any function of a training board must be performed by the SETA contemplated in subitem (4)(a); and

(iii) any function of the National Training Board must be performed by the National Skills Authority.

(Item 4(5) substituted by section 25 of Act 31 of 2003)

(6) From the date immediately after the date referred to in sub-item (5) -

(a) any trade designated under section 13(1) of the Manpower Training Act is regarded to be a qualification contemplated in section 16(c) of this Act;

(b) the applicable provisions of any contract of apprenticeship registered in terms of section 18 of that Act are deemed to be a learnership agreement registered in terms of section 17(3) of this Act and a contract of employment referred to in section 18(3) of this Act; and

(c) any apprentice referred to in section 17 of that Act is regarded to be a learner in relation to such a learnership agreement.

4A. Mining Qualifications Authority

Despite anything to the contrary in either this Act or the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)-

(a) and with effect from 20 March 2000-

(i) the Mining Qualifications Authority established in terms of section 41(3) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996, must be regarded as having been established in terms of section 9(1) of this Act as SETA 16;

(ii) Schedule 7 to the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996, must be regarded as the constitution of SETA 16; and

(iii) the Chief Inspector of Mines must be regarded as the chairperson of SETA 16;

(b) the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of Minerals and Energy and after consulting the Mining Qualifications Authority-

(i) amend Schedule 7 to the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996, in order to bring the constitution of SETA 16 into line with the constitutions of other SETAs; and

(ii) allow an interested professional body or a bargaining council with jurisdiction in the mining sector to be represented on the Mining Qualifications Authority; and

(c) the Minister must, in consultation with the Minister of Minerals and Energy, with regard to SETA 16, perform any function entrusted to the Minister in Chapter 3 of this Act.

(Item 4A inserted by section 26 of Act 31 of 2003)

5. Training centres

(1) In this item "training centre" means any -

(a) centre registered as a regional training centre registered in terms of section 31 of the Manpower Training Act;

(b) training centre registered as an industry training centre in terms of section 34 of the Manpower Training Act; or

(c) training trust established in terms of any law mentioned in Schedule 1 of the Integration of Labour Laws Act, 1994 (Act No. 49 of 1994), and in existence immediately before the commencement of this Act.

(2) Subject to subitem (3), a training centre continues to exist and perform its functions as if the Manpower Training Act or any law mentioned in Schedule 1 of the Act referred to in subitem (1)(b) had not been repealed.

(3) A training centre must be liquidated[4] in terms of its constitution not later than 31 March 2000 unless it has been registered as an association not for gain in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973) before that date.

(4) The Director-General may take steps to liquidate a training centre after 31 July 1999 if that centre has not -

(a) applied for registration as such an association not for gain; or

(b) taken steps to liquidate itself in terms of its constitution.

(5) If a training centre is liquidated, any assets and rights not required to discharge the obligations and liabilities of that centre must be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Director-General.

(6) Section 32 of the Manpower Training Act remains in force as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed, until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

6. Arrangements for training of trainees

Any arrangement contemplated in section 30 of the Manpower Training Act and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act remains in force as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed, until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

7. Grants-in-aid

Section 35 of the Manpower Training Act remains in force as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed, until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

8. Fund for Training of Unemployed Persons

(1) Any balance of the Fund for the Training of Unemployed Persons established by section 36A of the Manpower Training Act is hereby transferred to the National Skills Fund.

(2) The balance so transferred may be used only for the training of unemployed persons.

9. Training schemes

(1) Subject to subitem (2), any scheme declared binding in terms of section 39(5) of the Manpower Training Act continues as if that Act had not been repealed.

(2) Any such scheme must be discontinued not later than 31 March 2000 unless the scheme has been -

(a) registered as an association not for gain in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), before that date, provided that from that registration any notice issued in terms of section 39(5) in respect of that scheme ceases to be in force;

(b) sold with the agreement of the members of the training board with jurisdiction over employers subject to the scheme before that date; or

(3) If that scheme is discontinued, any assets and rights not required to discharge the obligations and liabilities of that scheme must be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Director-General.

10. Training levies

(1) Subject to subitem (2), section 39 of the Manpower Training Act remains in force as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed, until 31 March 2000.

(2) A notice imposing a levy in terms of section 39 of the Manpower Training Act and issued, before or after the commencement of this Act -

(a) may be amended by the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, to provide that the levy be paid to a SETA designated in that notice; and

(b) ……….

(Item 10(2)(b) deleted by section 8 of Act 9 of 1999)

11. Training advisers

Sections 45 and 46 of the Manpower Training Act remain in force as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed, until a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.

12. Registered work-seekers

Any work-seeker registered in terms of section 4 of the Guidance and Placement Act immediately before the commencement of this Act is regarded to be a registered work-seeker in terms of section 23(2)(b).

13. Private employment offices

Any private employment office registered in terms of section 15 of the Guidance and Placement Act immediately before the commencement of this Act is regarded to be an employment service registered for gain in terms of section 24 of this Act.

14. Local government sector

(1) The Local Government Training Fund (in this item referred to as "the Fund"), established by section 7 of the Local Government Training Act continues to exist, subject to subitems (5) to (7), as if that Act had not been repealed.

(2) Any body or institution, including a local government body, recognised as a training centre under section 9A of the Local Government Training Act immediately before the commencement of this Act, continues to be so recognised for a period of four months from that commencement as if the Local Government Training Act had not been repealed.

(3) Subject to subitem (7)(c), any levy imposed in terms of section 10 of the Local Government Training Act and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, remains in force until 31 March 2000 as if the Local Government Training Act had not been repealed.

(Item 14(3) substituted by section 9 of Act 9 of 1999)

(4) Subject to subitem (7) -

(a) the powers conferred and duties imposed on the Training Board for Local Government Bodies established by section 2 of the Local Government Training Act may be exercised and must be performed by the Local Government Education and Training Board established in terms of section 12A of the Manpower Training Act; and

(b) all the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the Training Board for Local Government Bodies are hereby transferred to the Local Government Education and Training Board.

(5) The Director-General: Constitutional Development must administer the Fund and is the accounting officer for the Fund.

(6) The Minister for Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development may, after consultation with the Local Government Education and Training Board, utilise the moneys in the Fund to fund any person or institution that in the opinion of the Minister can take action to develop the skills, knowledge, expertise or attitudes of a person elected to a municipal council or employed by a municipality.

(7) When a SETA is established for the local government sector -

(a) the Local Government Education and Training Board ceases to exist;

(b) the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of that Training Board must be transferred to that SETA;

(c) the levy referred to in subitem (3) is regarded to be a levy imposed in terms of section 39(1) of the Manpower Training Act as mentioned in item 10;

(d) the Fund ceases to exist; and

(e) the Director-General: Constitutional Development must transfer any balance of moneys in the Fund into the banking account of that SETA.

15. Telecommunications sector

(1) Subject to subitem (2), the Human Resources Fund referred to in section 78(1) of the Telecommunications Act continues to exist as if sections 78 to 87 of that Act had not been repealed.

(2) The Fund referred to in subitem (1) ceases to exist -

(a) on 31 March 2000; or

(b) on the establishment of a SETA with jurisdiction in the telecommunications sector.

(3) If that Fund ceases to exist in terms of -

(a) subitem (2)(a), the balance of the money in the Fund must be transferred to the National Skills Fund; or

(b) subitem (2)(b), the balance of the money in the Fund must be transferred to the SETA referred to in that subitem.

(4) Subject to subitem (5), the contributions contemplated in section 86(1) of the Telecommunications Act which are in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, remain in force until 31 March 2000 as if that Act had not been repealed.

(5) If a SETA with jurisdiction in the telecommunications sector is established, the contributions contemplated in subitem (4) must be credited to that SETA.

16. Exemptions from transfer duty, donations tax or any other tax

Any transfer of assets or rights contemplated in this Schedule is exempt from transfer duty, donations tax or any other duty or tax.

SCHEDULE 2A

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 2008

1. Definitions

2. Contracts of apprenticeship in force immediately prior to commencement of Amendment Act

3. Conversion of contracts of apprenticeship in force at commencement of Act

4. Trades deemed to be listed

5. Coming into operation of QCTO

6. SAQA accreditation of SETA ETQAs

7. National Productivity Institute

1. Definitions

In this Schedule-

'Amendment Act' means the Skills Development Amendment Act, 2008;

'ETQA' means an Education and Training Quality Assurance Body accredited in terms of section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995), responsible for monitoring and auditing achievements in terms of national standards or qualifications, and to which specific functions relating to the monitoring and auditing of national standards or qualifications have been assigned in terms of section 5(1)(b)(i) of that Act;

(Definition of “ETQA” substituted by section 27(a) of Act 26 of 2011)

'Manpower Training Act' means the Manpower Training Act. 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981);

'SAQA' means the South African Qualifications Authority;

'the Act' means the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998).

2. Contracts of apprenticeship in force immediately prior to commencement of Amendment Act

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, all sections of the Manpower Training Act, including any regulations and conditions of apprenticeship, that concern apprentices remain in force insofar as they apply to any contract of apprenticeship in force immediately prior to the commencement of the Amendment Act, as if the Manpower Training Act had not been repealed.

(2) For the purposes of this item-

(a) any function of the registrar must be performed by an official of the Department of Labour designated by the Minister for that purpose in writing;

(b) any function of a training board must be performed by the SETA to whom the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the training board were transferred;

(3) Any dispute about a contract of apprenticeship or any conditions of apprenticeship applicable to that contract is deemed to be a dispute contemplated in section 19(1) of the Act and must be dealt with in terms of section 19 of the Act, read with the changes required by the context.

(4) Any outstanding matter concerning a contract of apprenticeship that had been completed prior to the commencement of the Amendment Act must be dealt with in terms of the prevailing law immediately prior to the commencement of the Amendment Act.

3. Conversion of contracts of apprenticeship in force at commencement of Act

(1) Despite item 2, an employer and an apprentice who are party to a contract of apprenticeship in force at the commencement of this Act may conclude a learnership agreement in accordance with the form prescribed in terms of section 17(3) of the Act, subject to the following:

(a) The training provider must be a party to the learnership agreement, unless the training element of the apprenticeship has been completed;

(b) the learnership agreement may only be terminated in terms of section 17(4);

(d) the apprentice is deemed to be a learner contemplated in section 18(2) of the Act and must be employed on terms and conditions of employment that are no less favourable than those that are applicable in terms of section 18(1) of the Act;

(e) paragraphs (c) and (d) do not apply to an apprentice who was already employed by the employer prior to the commencement of the contract of apprenticeship.

4. Trades deemed to be listed

Any trade which immediately prior to the commencement of this Act was designated, or deemed to have been designated, in terms of section 13(1) of the Manpower Training Act, is deemed to have been listed in terms of section 26B(a) of the Amendment Act.

5. Coming into operation of QCTO

The QCTO comes into operation on a date determined by the Minister in the Gazette.

6. SAQA accreditation of SETA ETQAs

(1) Until such time as the QCTO delegates powers and functions to a SETA in terms of Chapter 6B of the Act, a SETA ETQA will-

(a) remain accredited by SAQA;

(b) continue to perform all ETQA functions prescribed by the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995); and

(Item 6(1)(b) substituted by section 27(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(c) have any matter concerning the performance of ETQA functions by a SETA dealt with in terms of the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995).

(Item 6(1)(c) substituted by section 27(b) of Act 26 of 2011)

(2) The accreditation of any education and skills development provider by a SETA ETQA remains in effect until the accreditation-

(a) lapses;

(b) is withdrawn by the SETA ETQA; or

7. National Productivity Institute

(1) On a date determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, all the assets, rights, liabilities and obligations of the National Productivity Institute, a company incorporated in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No. 61 of 1973), registration number 75/04742/08, are transferred to Productivity South Africa.

(2) The National Productivity Institute must thereafter be wound up in accordance with its articles of association

(Schedule 2A inserted by section 16 of Act 37 of 2008)

SCHEDULE 3

COMPOSITION AND CONSTITUTION OF QCTO

1. Composition of QCTO

2. Constitution of QCTO

1. Composition of QCTO

(1) The QCTO consists of 16 members appointed by the Minister, as follows:

(a) The chairperson;

(b) the chief executive officer of the SAQA;

(Item 1(1)(b) substituted by section 6(a) of Act 26 of 2010)

(d) the chief executive officer of the QCTO;

(Item 1(1)(d) substituted by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2010)

(e) the chief executive officer of the Council on Higher Education established in terms of section 4 of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997);

(Item 1(1)(e) substituted by section 6(b) of Act 26 of 2010)

(f) the chief executive officer of Umalusi established in terms of section 4 of the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act, 2001 (Act No. 58 of 2001);

(g) two members nominated by NEDLAC to represent organised labour;

(h) two members nominated by NEDLAC to represent organised business;

(i) two members nominated by NEDLAC to represent organisations of community and development interests;

(j) one members nominated by the Minister of Education to represent the interests of public education and training providers;

(k) one member nominated by the private providers of education and training to represent the interests of private education and training providers: and

(l) two additional members to represent the interests of the Stale.

(2) Members of the QCTO contemplated by sub-items (1)(a) and (g) to (l) hold office for a period of five years and are eligible for reappointment upon expiry of their terms of office, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms of office.

2. Constitution of QCTO

The Minister must approve the constitution of the QCTO, which subject to this Act-

(a) must provide for-

(i) the establishment and functioning of committees, including an executive committee;

(ii) rules for convening and conducting of meetings of the QCTO and its committees, including the quorum required for and the minutes to be kept of such meetings;

(iii) the voting rights of the different members and the manner in which decisions are to be taken by the QCTO and its committees;

(iv) the circumstances and manner in which a member of the QCTO may be removed from office;

(v) the procedure for the filling of vacancies on the QCTO;

(vi) a code of conduct for the members of the QCTO;

(vii) the circumstances and manner in which the Minister may dissolve the QCTO and appoint an administrator on a temporary basis to perform its functions;

(viii) the determination through arbitration of any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the constitution;

(ix) the procedure for amending the constitution;

(x) the procedure for advising the Minister on regulations to be made in terms of section 26; and

(b) may provide for any other matter necessary for the performance of the functions of the QCTO.

(Schedule 3 inserted by section 16 of Act 37 of 2008)

SCHEDULE 4

COMPOSITION AND CONSTITUTION OF PRODUCTIVITY SOUTH AFRICA

1. Composition of Productivity South Africa

2. Constitution of Productivity South Africa

1. Composition of Productivity South Africa

(1) Productivity South Africa consists of seven members appointed by the Minister, as follows:

(a) The chairperson;

(b) two members nominated by NEDLAC to represent organised labour;

(d) two members to represent the government.

(2) Members of Productivity South Africa hold office for a period of five years and are eligible for reappointment upon expiry of their terms of office, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms of office.

2. Constitution of Productivity South Africa

The Minister must approve the constitution of Productivity South Africa, which subject to this Act-

(a) must provide for-

(i) the establishment and functioning of committees, including an executive committee;

(ii) rules for convening and conducting of meetings of Productivity South Africa and its committees, including the quorum required for and the minutes to be kept of those meetings;

(iii) the voting rights of the different members and the manner in which decisions are to be taken by Productivity South Africa and its committees;

(iv) the circumstances and manner in which a member of Productivity South Africa may be removed from office;

(v) the procedure for the filling of vacancies on Productivity South Africa;

(vi) a code of conduct for the members of Productivity South Africa;

(vii) the circumstances and manner in which the Minister may dissolve Productivity South Africa and appoint an administrator on a temporary basis to perform its functions;

(viii) the determination through arbitration of any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the constitution;

(ix) the procedure for amending the constitution:

(x) financial arrangements, including bank accounts, investment of surplus money, annual budgets, annual reports, financial statements and annual audits;

(xi) the appointment of an executive officer and such other employees necessary for the effective performance of the functions of Productivity South Africa by its members, including the determination of their terms and conditions of employment; and

(b) may provide for any other matter necessary for the performance of the functions of Productivity South Africa.

(Schedule 4 inserted by section 16 of Act 37 of 2008)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Chapters Eight and Nine of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act ("BCEA"), provide for the publication of sector determinations by the Minister on basic conditions of employment on the advice of the Employment Conditions Commission. Before the Commission advises the Minister on the publication of a determination: (a) the Department of Labour conducts an investigation and prepares a report; (b) the Commission then considers the report in the light of a number of factors set out in section 54(3) of the BCEA and in this process may hold public hearings; and then (c) gives its advice in a report to the Minister. The effect of this section is to allow for the setting of terms and conditions of employment for learners in a similar way to the setting of conditions of apprenticeship under the Manpower Training Act, 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981), in so far as conditions of employment are concerned-see section 13(2)(c) and (k) to (p). The provisions of the BCEA are sufficiently flexible to allow for sector and cross-sector determinations for learnerships

[2] The lawfulness of a dismissal is governed by the provisions of this Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the common law.

[3] The fairness of a dismissal is governed by the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994), and the common law (administrative law in respect of public sector employees).

[4] The liquidation process does not prevent a training centre from reconstituting itself as a private training provider, provided that the Director-General is satisfied that the needs of the learners for whom the centres were established are met, in which case the surplus assets will be transferred to the new institution in terms of sub-item (5).

Last modified onSaturday, 22 August 2015 13:28

Tagged under

Gary Watkins

Managing Director

BA LLB

C: +27 (0)82 416 7712

T: +27 (0)10 035 4185 (Office)

F: +27 (0)86 689 7862

Website: www.workinfo.com

Social Profiles

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Latest from Gary Watkins

More in this category: Skills Development Levies Act 9 of 1999 »

Labour Legislation Index

Skills Development Act 97 of 1998

Gary Watkins

Social Profiles

Related items

Latest from Gary Watkins

About Workinfo.com

HR Vacancies

HR Associations

Connect