SETA is a word many South Africans hear when looking for learnerships, internships, and chances to grow their skills. But many young people, and even working adults, don’t fully get what a SETA is, why it’s there, and how it actually helps with training and finding work.
This guide explains what a SETA is in Mzansi (South Africa), why they were started, how they help young people, the types of programmes they offer, and how their money (funding) works. This article aims to help students, jobless youth, and job seekers clearly understand the SETA system before applying for any opportunity.
What Does SETA Mean in South Africa?
SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority.
These are organisations the South African government created to manage and improve skills training within specific industries and economic sectors.
SETAs were introduced in 1998 under the Skills Development Act. This law was set up to fix the country’s skills shortage and boost workforce training. Each SETA focuses on a specific field like farming, banking, building/construction, teaching, transport, manufacturing, and many others.
For example:
- AGRISETA looks after farming skills
- BANKSETA handles banking and finance
- merSETA deals with manufacturing and engineering
- ETDP SETA focuses on education and training
SETAs report to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), but they run their own operations. Their main job is to make sure the training offered in South Africa matches what employers and the economy actually need.
In simple terms: A SETA is here to link education, training, and real job opportunities within a specific industry.
Why Do SETAs Exist?
SETAs exist mainly to tackle South Africa’s big skills and unemployment problems. For many years, bosses (employers) struggled to find workers with the right skills, while millions of young people stayed jobless because they lacked experience and training.
SETAs were created to:
- Lower youth unemployment.
- Boost skills development in the workforce.
- Support economic growth.
- Ensure training matches what industries need.
- Help workers improve their qualifications.
Thanks to SETAs, employers are encouraged to train staff properly, and jobless youth get chances to gain work experience and proper, recognised qualifications.
Before SETAs, many training programmes didn’t line up with actual job requirements. Today, SETAs work closely with employers to make sure training leads to real, practical skills that are needed in the job market.
How Do SETAs Help Young People in SA?
One of the most important things SETAs do is support young people who are jobless or don’t have formal work experience. SETAs offer several opportunities that help youth enter the job market with the right training and qualifications that employers respect.
Here’s how SETAs mainly help:
1. Learnerships
Learnerships mix theory (studying) with practical work training. A learner studies part-time at a college or training centre and works part-time at a registered workplace. When they finish, the learner gets a nationally recognised qualification.
2. Internships
Internships are mostly for graduates and students who have completed a qualification but need practical work experience. Most internships run for 12 to 24 months.
3. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships focus on technical and trade skills, like electrical work, plumbing, fitting and turning, welding, and mechanical trades.
4. Bursaries
Some SETAs provide money (bursaries) to students who want to study in fields linked to their industry sector.
5. Monthly Stipends
Most SETA programmes offer a monthly stipend (allowance) to help learners cover transport and basic expenses while training.
Through these programmes, young people gain:
- Work experience
- Practical job skills
- National certificates
- Better chances of getting a permanent job
Types of Programmes Offered by SETAs
SETAs offer different types of skills development programmes. Each one serves a different goal depending on the learner’s education level and career aims.
| Programme Type | Focus | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Learnerships | Structured training (theory + work) for both employed and jobless people. | A full qualification registered on the NQF. |
| Internships | Workplace experience for graduates who already have a qualification. | Practical skills; usually not a new qualification. |
| Apprenticeships | Hands-on technical training for trades (e.g., electrician). | Trade certification after practical tests. |
| Skills Programmes | Short courses on specific job skills. | Improved employability; not always a full qualification. |
| Bursaries | Financial help for students at universities, TVET colleges, etc. | Covers study fees/expenses. |
Every programme is designed to improve your chances of employment and match training to industry needs.
How Does SETA Funding Work?
SETA money comes from the Skills Development Levy (SDL). This is a compulsory tax (levy) that employers in South Africa must pay every month.
Employers contribute:
- 1% of their total payroll (all staff salaries) to the SDL.
This money is collected by SARS and then given to the different SETAs. The funds are used to:
- Pay for learnership and internship programmes
- Support training providers
- Fund bursaries
- Pay stipends (allowances) to learners
- Support skills development projects
Very important to understand:
❌ You never pay to apply for a SETA learnership, internship, or bursary.
⚠️ If someone asks you to pay an “application fee,” it is most likely a scam.
SETAs pay for the training using money collected from employers—not from the people applying for the jobs or training.
Who Can Apply for SETA Programmes?
SETA programmes are open to many different applicants, depending on the specific opportunity. In general, these people can apply:
- Jobless youth
- School leavers (Grade 12 or not)
- TVET college graduates
- University graduates
- People with disabilities
- People who currently have jobs but want to get better qualifications
Each programme has its own requirements, such as:
- Minimum education level
- Age limits (usually 18 to 35 years old)
- Specific school subjects passed
- South African citizenship
It is vital to always read the full requirements before applying.
How to Find Legitimate SETA Opportunities
Because SETA programmes are popular, many scams exist online. To stay safe, always follow these rules:
- Only apply through official SETA websites.
- Verify opportunities on government platforms.
- Avoid application links shared only on WhatsApp.
- Never pay any application fees.
- Always check closing dates and official contact details.
Legitimate SETA opportunities will always provide:
- Official email addresses (not Gmail/Yahoo)
- Physical office addresses
- Clear application instructions
- No payment requirements
If you are unsure, check the opportunity directly with the relevant SETA office.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Before you apply for any SETA programme, keep this in mind:
- Selection is competitive (many people apply for few spots).
- Meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee you a spot.
- Some programmes are limited by how much money is available.
- You might need to attend interviews or assessments.
- Stipends (allowances) differ depending on the programme and funding.
Always make sure your documents are complete and correct before you send your application.
Final Thoughts on SETAs in South Africa
SETAs play a major role in developing skills in Mzansi and helping young people gain the training and experience they need to enter the job market. Through learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, skills programmes, and bursaries, SETAs link education with real workplace needs.
Understanding how SETAs work gives you a better chance of applying correctly, avoiding scams, and choosing the right career path. Whether you are jobless, a student, or a graduate, SETA programmes can offer a life-changing opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are SETA stipends taxable?
Yes, most stipends are considered a form of income by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and are therefore generally taxable. The training provider or employer offering the programme should provide guidance on the specific tax implications for your allowance, as it can depend on the nature of the agreement.
Q: Can a non-South African citizen apply for a SETA learnership?
Generally, no. Most SETA learnerships and internships require applicants to be South African citizens with a valid ID number to meet the requirements of national skills development initiatives. Some opportunities aimed at skills development providers might allow applicants with a valid work permit, but general learner programmes usually require citizenship.
Q: How often are new SETA opportunities advertised?
There isn’t a fixed schedule for all opportunities across all 21 SETAs. Discretionary grant funding windows (when new programmes are initiated) open at different times.
- Employers often advertise specific learnerships directly on their websites or job portals when they have space available.
- It is best to regularly check the official websites of the SETAs relevant to your industry (e.g., Services SETA, MICT SETA, BANKSETA, AGRISETA, etc.) for announcements.
Q: Where can I find a full list of all 21 SETAs and their websites?
A comprehensive list of all 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities and their official website addresses is available on the South African Government website and various educational portals. You can visit their specific sites to find opportunities in your chosen sector.