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The Sector Education and Training Authority, SETA, is a South African institution in charge of developing skills development and training within a specific industry sector. This institution is a program of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS), and various SETAs were put in place for several industry sectors according to the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998.
South Africa has a dual agricultural economy covering commercial and subsistence interests. AgriSETA is expected to serve both these areas fairly. However, it derives the majority of its income from top levy players, who are a minor percentage of the sector as a whole.
AgriSETA is part of the 21 SETAs set up to advance skills development regarding the Skills Development Act amended in 1998. The twenty-one SETAs mainly reflect many sectors of the South African economy. AgriSETA is poised to develop into a diverse and fairly intricate organization that handles food and beverage, agriculture, and forestry activities. This is the proposal regarding the Government’s new SETA licenses due to be implemented in March 2011.
When the Government announced broad changes to the entire South African SETA landscape in November 2009, the agricultural sector was earmarked with relatively significant modifications. Formerly, this sector was divided into Primary Agriculture (PAETA) and Secondary Agriculture (SETASA). Regarding the newly reformed SETA landscape, these already rather limitless areas are being handled by one SETA.
AgriSETA promotes and generates economic, social, and employment development opportunities for agri-enterprises through appropriate, available, and quality education, development, and training in both primary and secondary agriculture, in partnership with other stakeholders in agriculture.
AgriSETA activities’ scope cuts across the agricultural sector, ranging from input services to the farm to activities on the farm and the farm’s first level processing activities.
In line with the Skills Development Act, AgriSETA is charged with developing the skills of the agricultural workforce who may be employed or unemployed. The AgriSETA aids learning through Skills Programmes, Learnerships, tertiary studies or in-service training, and Adult Education and Training, by earmarking grants and bursaries. It also makes provisions for internships, apprentices, and mentorships.
To guarantee the quality provision of training and education, AgriSETA is also in charge of assessing the standard of training presented by training providers and accrediting sector-specific training providers. While all agriculture practices are included under the new AgriSETA umbrella, the Government has acknowledged specific types of farming, processing and manufacturing, drying, packing, storage, and distributing a lot of diverse farming types and processes. These include:
- all forms of farming including game and fish, meat, horticulture, and crops, poultry, red meat, and egg production,
- processing of tea and coffee, tobacco, macadamia nuts (specifically), and various fibers, fruit farming, including packing, liquefying (for juice), drying, importing and exporting,
- manufacture, milling, storage, and all types of processing of grain, sugar, and starch products (including flour),
- production of household pet and other animal feeds,
- distribution and sale of different raw agricultural materials, and
- the research study, production, packaging, and marketing of pest-control seeds.
Many other areas are included, but these have not been singled out. This does not make other forms of farming any less important.
Functions of AgriSETA
According to the South African Government’s plan of action, the AgriSETA is mandated to draft a plan that will empower them to develop the agricultural sector’s skills to enable learners to benefit from these. They want to facilitate an increased number of young adults who can learn new skills and earn a living within the agricultural sector.
For this purpose, the AgriSETA is also expected to carry out an extensive plan that accommodates learners joining the agricultural workplace have the chance to:
- access learnerships and courses where they can obtain the basic knowledge through college courses or any other short course the SETA regards as relevant
- establish strategies for workplace skills so that learners understand exactly where they can gain suitable workplace experience
- identify workplaces that are fit for learners to employ to get a suitable workplace exposure
- allot discretionary grants and perhaps also bursaries
- monitor education training to guarantee that learners are accurately and well trained
- promote the development of learning materials to make sure that learners are reading important topics
- help improve and facilitate learnership agreements and register these agreements for learners’ security
- make sure that they (AgriSETA) obtain accreditation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to guarantee that all learning is appropriate and tallies with the standards expected within South Africa
- get and then accurately pay the levies due for skills development in this sector.
- partner with the National Skills Authority concerning the Government’s national skills development policy
- partner with the National Skills Authority concerning the Government’s national skills development strategy and its sector skills plan
- help advance and facilitate learnership agreements and register these agreements for learner security
- communicate directly with the Government’s Director-General of Labour concerning income and expenditure, including the implementation of the sector skills plan
- partner with the Department of Labour’s employment services, including all educational bodies that are governed by laws that correlate to education in South Africa aimed at enhancing employment openings for these particular learners
- select staff who can meet these obligations
- execute any other obligations that the Skills Development Act and the Skills Development Levies Act demands
NQFs, which have been indispensable elements of the South Africa tertiary education system for nearly 25 years, are overseen and performed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This overall higher education system has been commissioned to enroll quality-assured national qualifications and part- qualifications. The framework’s major goals are bound to expediting high-quality education and training and adding positively to the learner’s overall development.
SETAs are established by the Act of parliament and consequently execute their duties in the public’s interest. As legal bodies, they manage public funds. Therefore, they are obliged to relate to the Director of the Department of Higher Education and Training on the efficient and precise use of these funds. The Public Finance Management Act also oversees SETAs, and this Act demands that public bodies act responsibly and economically. SETAs also account to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on how they effect their functions as an Educational Training and Quality Assurance (ETQA) body.
AgriSETA Accreditation
The AgriSETA is responsible for accrediting providers. They do these by:
- establishing appropriate guidelines for the accreditation of providers.
- Accrediting solely constituent providers that share the principal focus of the AgriSETA.
- Administering accreditation for unit standards and qualifications listed on the NQF, which fall within the principal focus of the AgriSETA.
- Handling institutional accreditation as well as program registration for constituent providers.
- Conducting complete program approval and registration for non-constituent providers.
- Accrediting performance and assessment sites.
There are two types of accreditation providers, namely Constituent Providers and Non-constituent providers. The constituent providers are single-purpose training providers who prefer to operate within the principal focus of the AgriSETA, while the non-constituent providers are training Providers who are accredited with a different ETQA and would wish to incorporate training on learning programs that lie within the scope of the AgriSETA.
Applicants who meet all the criteria set will earn full accreditation for three years. Accreditation will be connected to the programs (qualifications and unit standards) that the provider will offer. On the other hand, applicants who meet the minimum criteria set will obtain full accreditation for one year. Accreditation will be connected to the programs (qualifications and unit standards) that the provider will offer. Monitoring and verification will occur within this period, and if compliant, the accreditation will be extended for three years. Should a constituent of a non-constituent provider need to render additional qualifications and unit standards, a request for an extension of their scope should be completed.
The provider is obligated to apply for re-accreditation six months before the expiry of accreditation. Re-accreditation will depend on the results of the provider’s monitoring reports. Applicants who do not conform to the specified minimum criteria will not obtain accreditation. The provider and the ETQA will agree on the outstanding criteria to be completed within the stipulated time frame. At the end of this time period, the provider will be re-evaluated. The ETQA will render development support to a constituent provider who applies for full accreditation, where this support could include select interviews, limited monitoring, and workshops. The ETQA will give guidance and advice while sustaining the provider’s responsibility to organize its procedures and policies. After the provider has carried out the self-evaluation, the ETQA will perform a maximum of two verifications and two desktop evaluation visits to help the provider. If the application fails to succeed, the provider may opt to call in a specialist for support at his/her own cost.
AgriSETA FUNDING
Employers with a yearly payroll surpassing R500 000 must pay 1% of payroll as a Skills Development Levy (SDL) to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). This is done every month. Eighty percent of levies paid in this fashion by employers in the agricultural sector are then sent to AgriSETA. Since the commencement of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) in 2010, employers were regularly able to claim 50% of the levy paid back as a mandatory grant given that they presented acceptable Annual Training Reports (ATRs) and Workplace Skills Plans (WSPs). However, in December 2012, new funding regulations were published for implementation from April 2013. The only most significant difference in these regulations from initial regulations is that the mandatory grant percentage dropped from 50% to 20%. The extra 30% made in this practice will now constitute part of the AgriSETA’s discretionary fund, bringing this fund from 20% to 50%. In context, what this implies is that less money is disbursed for complying with the WSP/ATR, and the remaining funds available to directly sponsor training initiatives in the sector grows significantly.
Criteria for Mandatory grants:
For the levy-paying employers to qualify to obtain the mandatory grants, they are expected to fulfill the following requirements:
- Be a regular levy-payer registered in terms of the Skills Development Levies Act.
- Hire a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF).
- Submit the ATR and WSP prior to the stipulated deadline.
- The WSP for the last reporting period has been submitted and implemented.
Discretionary grants
Discretionary grants are disbursed based on SETA management decisions for skills development projects associated with sector priority occupations (critical and scarce skills). Discretionary grant funding centers on Professional, Vocational, Technical, and Academic Learning (PIVOTAL) programs. In line with the AgriSETA policy, grants can only be paid out to both Non-PIVOTAL and PIVOTAL programs. The AgriSETA annually announces to its stakeholders the submission period. This is done through the AgriSETA website.
The bulk of discretional funding is directed at the provision of PIVOTAL or learning programs, which comprise the following:
- Work Integrated Learning
- Learnerships
- Skills programs
- Bursaries
- Internships
These training interventions are meant to result in partial qualifications or qualifications relating to the National Qualifications Framework and as considered in the Grant Regulations.
AgriSETA allows these funds to be available and accessible by the employers; during a window period, it accepts applications from them. The window opening is announced on the AgriSETA website, national newspapers, and community and national radio stations.
AgriSETA also allots discretionary funding to non-PIVOTAL programs. These programs do not result in any qualifications but are also intending to develop different sub-sectors. These consist of any research projects that may be embarked upon by AgriSETA and partner organizations.
About ten percent of the discretionary funding is also allotted to deliberate projects addressing Public Service training, College Capacity building, and rural areas. Discretionary Grants are allotted at the sole discretion of AgriSETA subject to the availability of funds and adherence to certain criteria as per the AgriSETA Discretionary Grants Policy and Guidelines well as an endorsement from the AgriSETA Accounting Authority.
How Do You Get A SETA Learnership?
A learnership, one of SETA’s opportunities, is an orderly learning process for acquiring academic knowledge and practical skills in the work-place. These well-organized learning processes are time-based and not outcome-based and acknowledges the need for formal learning. The time frame of learnerships varies, but the average lasts for 18 months. To get an artisan equivalent qualification, the trainee needs to finish at least four different learnerships. This suggests that the first four qualifications of the NQF levels must be completed.
Learners should meet certain criteria before starting a SETA learnership, and these include:
- Learners could be new entrants or current employees.
- Learners must satisfy the entry criteria for the specific learnership they want to enroll in.
- Learners must meet the selection requirements structured by the organization taking on the learner.
There are also particular processes requiring other learners, employers, and training providers, to follow, and these include:
- Employers are endorsed in their work-place and are expected to satisfy the pre-registration requirements.
- Training providers are accredited to provide particular learnership by the ETQA.
- Qualified assessors are available. They may be contracted, assessors, or in-house assessors.
- Companies advertise learnership opportunities through the media.
- Learners apply and are picked by the company’s recruitment process.
- A three-party learnership agreement is signed among the learner, employer, and provider.
- A short-term employment contract is entered into and signed between the learner and the employer, where the learner is unemployed.
- The learning program and process is reviewed and consented to with the training provider.
- Employers sponsor the learnership by grants obtained from SETA.
- Employers and training providers deliver the required learning and experience, working closely together to accomplish the training process.
- Learners are rendered support via mentoring and feedback.
- Learners are assessed via formative and summative assessments by qualified assessors.
- The Manufacturing, Engineering, and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority quality assuror is invited to head the assessment. The provider must undertake internal supervision.
- A national qualification is awarded to the learner following the successful conclusion of the learnership.
- Learners receive a statement of their results for unit standards completed if learnership is not concluded.
As soon as the learnership process is completed, the employer can either sign the learner for a new learnership, engage the learner or let go of the learner for future hiring by another organization if he/she was unemployed.
In compliance with the Skills Development Act, a learnership should include the following components:
- An organized learning component.
- A practical work experience.
- It must be occupation-related.
- After finishing successfully, it must lead to a qualification.
AgriSETA Qualifications
The NQF Act defines the statutory framework for quality assurance and standards-setting, including the development of Occupational Qualifications. One of the roles of AgriSETA is to plan and develop purpose tailored occupational qualifications through stakeholder-driven processes.
Plant Production NQF Level 1
A learner evaluated against this qualification should possess the required competence to participate as a working team member, performing the agricultural processes applicable to Plant production in a closely defined context and under close supervision.
The Learner should take rational decisions within a confined range based on a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of agri-business and good agricultural practices in meeting the set objectives and targets within the broader farm plan. This includes the economical application of available resources, agricultural production, and technical knowledge and skills, all in a Plant Production setting.
The Learner should execute monotonous procedures in a predictable environment and comply with the relevant safety, hygiene, quality, and technical standards as applicable within the industry.
Plant Production NQF Level 2
A learner evaluated against this qualification should have the required competence to engage as part of a working team, performing the agricultural processes relevant to Plant production in an established and familiar context under general supervision. The Learner should perform directed activities and guide others at a lower level within a Plant Production setting. Competency will be realized in any of the specialized sub-fields of Plant Production as specified under Areas Of Specialization (i.e., Vegetables, Hydroponics, Fruit Production, etc.)
Animal Production NQF Level 2
A learner evaluated against this qualification should have the required competence to engage as part of a working team, working the agricultural processes applicable to animal production in an organized and familiar context under general supervision. The Learner should perform directed activities and guide others at a lower level within an Animal Production setting. Competency should be achieved in one of the technical sub-fields of Animal Production as indicated under Areas Of Specialization (i.e., Large Stock, Small stock, Aqua Culture, Dairy Production, etc.)
Mixed Farming Systems NQF Level 2
A learner evaluated as competent against this qualification should have the required competence to oversee and head a working team performing the agricultural processes applicable to plant husbandry. Furthermore, the Learner should make responsible choices based on a sound knowledge of agri-business and conventional agricultural practices’ fundamental principles in fulfilling the set targets and objectives within the broader farm plan. This includes the economical application of available resources, agricultural production, and technical knowledge and skills. The Learner should also adhere to and implement according to the supervision level and the relevant quality, safety, and hygiene standards applicable within the industry.
National Certificate: Plant Production NQF Level 3
This qualification offers learners an extensive base of portable skills that will empower them to advance within all domains of the horticultural industry. This qualification constitutes a crucial step in the various disciplines’ career paths in ornamental horticulture and accompanies the NQF Level 1 Certificate. For those working in the industry, this qualification will allow learners to sharpen their skills and receive recognition for their competencies.
AgriSETA Bursary
Several independent schools have bursary capacity, which includes grants from the school to assist pay education fees. These are usually given after a “means test” of family income and are not necessarily dependent on examination performance, although some academic ability account will be considered. Bursaries may be given in addition to scholarships where financial need is proven, and the prospective student would be unable to enroll in the school.
It is traditional for parents to request the school’s bursar to fill an application form, giving information on their financial circumstances, supported by documentary evidence, including capital assets to obtain such a bursary. The school will consider the application following its bursary policy. The award will usually only remain in force until the pupil has sat the next important public examination. Many schools will review bursaries every year to make sure that the justification for an award remains. In the UK, any award given before GCSE will not necessarily proceed to the A-level stage.
The AgriSETA Bursary was set up to help students within the Agricultural sector continue their tertiary studies. Every year, bursaries are given to a student seeking Undergraduate or Postgraduate Agricultural related qualifications. The bursary is a maximum value of R39 750 annually for undergraduate students and R63 600 for postgraduate students and is expected to be used to pay for textbooks and tuition fees.
Applicants will be briefed about the outcome of their applications after deliberations have been made on the AgriSETA bursary. Every year, bursaries are given to a student within the Agricultural sector, specifically the following fields of study:
- Agricultural Farm Manager
- Agricultural Scientist
- Veterinary
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants need to satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (it should be noted that failure to meet all the requirements will result in your application not being considered):
- South African citizen
- Completed Matric
- Studying full time or part-time towards an Agriculture related qualification (Certificate/Degree/Diploma)
- Studying part-time or full-time at a College/ University/ University of Technology
- Unemployed
- Not being funded by other Government sources (NSFAS)
- Learners who have been formerly funded must reapply for a continuing bursary
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BURSARY
Download and duly fill the AgriSETA Bursary Application Form pdf.
Submit plain and clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form. The submission of these documents is imperative – if any items are missing, the application would be disregarded
- Certified copy of ID document
- New bursary applications: a certified copy of most recent exam results
- Continuation bursary applications: a certified copy of mid-year results
- Tax Clearance Certificate
- Tax Compliance Status Verification PIN
Completed applications should be submitted online via email to [email protected].
Input the words “AgriSETA Bursary Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject.