Free Training & Career Tips... Subscribe to Get Weekly Career Tips
By Subscribing You are Agreeing to Terms and Conditions
What is MERSETA?
The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority, abbreviated as MerSETA, is part of the 21 SETAs set up to advance skills development regarding the Skills Development Act amended in 1998. The twenty-one SETAs largely reflect many sectors of the South African economy. MERSETA comprises manufacturing, engineering, and other allied services.
Although the exclusion of the petrol and motor retail sub-sectors from the MERSETA may seem to be a slight change, the MERSETA model changes drastically with the extraction of these two critical sub-sectors. They will be transferred to the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA), which was only inaugurated and accredited in 2001 by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It is a fascinating development since the former W&RSETA was referred to as one of the lesser SETAs in the beginning. Nevertheless, it has developed into what st described as “one of the prominent SETAs in implementing the National Skills Development Strategy” in the past two decades. The MERSETA will continue to aid in developing skills involving the auto or motor industry and will perform an essential role in the general engineering sector, especially concerning the scope of manufacturing.
Five compartments encompass the several industry sectors within the MERSETA: motor retail and component manufacturing; tyre manufacturing; auto-manufacturing; plastics; metal and engineering industries. Collectively, the five subsectors include approximately 43 000 companies, with a workforce of approximately 550 000. The total levy income is about R600 million.
The MERSETA, like other SETAs, performs a principal role in ensuring that the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) is accomplished. MERSETA does not collect dues but instead receives collected dues from the Department of Higher Education and Training. Seventy percent of the levies are spent on grants, and 10% is reserved for administration. MERSETA does not train; instead, it aids the process of training by disbursing grants, accrediting providers, identifying scarce skills, monitoring the quality of training, registering moderators and assessors, and implementing projects to close the skills gap.
A leading project of MERSETA is an augmented artisan training project. One of its milestones so far was the re-introduction of artisan training on a huge scale. MERSETA has impacted more than 12 000 apprentices in the past ten years and registered an additional 8000 learners into artisan-related programs within the metals and motor industries.
With respect to HIV/Aids, the SETA has implemented a program to confront the issue of warranting replacement labor for those suspected to be infected by the disease. A range of adult basic education and training (Abet) programs have been formed to tackle illiteracy and ignorance among adults. The Abet project appreciates prior learning and allows for training to be quickened, in some cases, down to only 18 months from four years.
The occupational Abet project aims to educate adults in their workplace, using relevant concepts to heighten learning and nurture a greater desire to learn. It is also geared towards equipping those approaching retirement or wishing to exit the formal Sector with knowledge and competence that will assist them to set up their own business and better understand how pensions work, become computer fluent, and the like.
What is the function of MERSETA?
MERSETA is divided into five bodies:
- metal and engineering: covering the entire spectrum of businesses in these industries
- automobile manufacturing
- new tyre: manufacturers and retailers
- motor retail: including fuel retailers, vehicle dealers, and vehicle and repair service workshops, and
- plastics: manufacturers of all kinds of plastic products
These five bodies have about 24 000 companies that pay dues to MERSETA and collectively hire more than half a million workers.
MERSETA is a stakeholder organization and is managed by a 50:50 partnership between organized labour and business. The Retail Motor Industry Organisation, Plastics Federation of South Africa, New Tyre Employers Association, Automobile Manufacturers Employers Association, Federation of South Africa Plastic Converters Association, and Steel and Engineering Industries represents the interests of business. The Mynwerkersunie Solidariteit, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, National Employees Trade Union, Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union, South African Workers Union, Motor Industry Staff Association, and Motor Industry Employee Union represent the interests of labour.
The partnership between labour and business has produced training that has been tailor-made to meet the standards of the industry while meeting the needs of workers. The participative process outcome has been high-standard training initiatives, but it takes time, thus slowing implementation. MERSETA’s principal decision-making function remains with the board, which is referred to as the authority.
Regarding the law, the authority is composed of equal representation from organized labour and business, each with full voting rights. Regulations also provide for the participation of bargaining councils, relevant government departments, professional bodies, and all as non-voting members. Authority meetings are held once every three months and are attended by the CEO, a non-voting participant. The executive committee makes the day-to-day decisions that must be made to run the SETA efficiently and reports directly to the authority.
The executive committee is also tasked to make sure that MERSETA delivers training by implementing the policies and training programs created in line with the goals of the NSDS. The functions of MERSETA are sixfold and involve:
- developing a sector skills plan (SSP) that explains the skills in demand, employment, and growth trends in the sector and recognizes the priorities for skills development.
- applying the levy grant system, which makes provision for discretionary and mandatory grants.
- administering and developing learnerships, which extend and include the old apprenticeships of the past.
- guaranteeing the quality by accrediting training and education providers, monitoring provision, registering training assessors, collaborating with other education and training quality assurers (ETQAs) and reporting to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
- implementing the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by maintaining the standards-generating processes and by offering workers, employers, and providers advice on how to implement the NQF; and
- implementing the SSP, which involves encouraging and assisting employers and workplaces in preparing workplace skills plans (WSPs), and then to implement these plans to accomplish the goals and objectives of the NSDS;
The organizational structure of MERSETA presently incorporates five departments in charge of carrying out the remainder of the functions mentioned above.
MERSETA Accreditation
ABET certifies degree-granting programs awarded by institutions that are accredited in South Africa. Training, Certification, or doctoral programs are not accredited.
ABET accreditation is optional; the application for accreditation is launched by the institution seeking accreditation. Accreditation is given to each program within an establishment rather than to the institution as a whole. Accredited programs need to be re-assessed every six years to remain accredited; if the accreditation criteria are not satisfied, extra evaluations may be necessary within the six-year interval. Without previous accreditation, programs can apply for accreditation as long as they have presented at least one program graduate.
The first step in obtaining or maintaining ABET accreditation is for an institution to ask for an evaluation of its program. The institution’s eligibility must be confirmed, which can be implemented if a regional accreditation agency accredits it. Each program is then designated to one of the accreditation commissions within ABET, namely:
- Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
- Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC)
- Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC)
- Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC)
The program is allotted to a commission based on the program name indicated on the transcript. Each commission has its different accreditation criteria.
Each program then performs an internal evaluation and finalizes a self-study report. The self-study report indicates how well the program satisfies the established accreditation criteria in many areas, such as their curriculum, faculty, students, facilities, administration, and institutional support. The self-study documents must be submitted to ABET by July 1.
While the program plans its self-study, the right ABET commission (Computing, Engineering, or Engineering Technology Commission and Applied and Natural Science) will choose a team chair to lead the onsite campus evaluation team visit. A visit date is determined between the institution and the team chair. Once the date is selected, the commission will allocate program evaluators (usually one per program being evaluated). The institution is allowed to rebuff the program evaluators or the team chair if a conflict of interest is noticed. The evaluators and team chair are volunteers from the government, academia, private practice, and industries.
As soon as the institution’s program evaluators are acknowledged, they are given the self-study report for their allotted program. This report becomes the foundation of their evaluation of the program and sets them up for the campus visit.
The evaluation team comprising the program evaluators and team chair will typically arrive on campus on weekends. During the campus visit, the evaluation team will assess course materials from each program, sample assignments, and student projects. Evaluators will also interview administrators, students in the faculty, and tour the facilities to examine any self-study questions. The visit will normally end with an exit interview with the institution’s dean, chief executive officer, and other relevant institution personnel as appropriate. This interview is supposed to summarize the results of the evaluation for each program.
MERSETA Funding
The MERSETA funds mandatory Grants to companies who qualify to receive funding. They are determined at 20% of an employer’s 1% skills levy. Employers must tender an Annual Training Report, and a Workplace Skills Plan to get the 20% back as a mandatory grant before April 30 annually. Companies possessing a wage bill of less than R600 000 do not need to pay this 1% levy.
Criteria for Mandatory grants:
For the levy-paying employers to qualify to obtain the mandatory grants, they are expected to satisfy 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 before the stipulated deadline.
- The WSP for the last reporting period has been submitted and implemented.
Discretionary grants
Discretionary grants are disbursed 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 MERSETA policy, grants can only be paid out to both Non-PIVOTAL and PIVOTAL programs. The MERSETA annually announces to its stakeholders the submission period. This is done through the MERSETA 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.
MERSETA 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 MERSETA website, in national newspapers, and on community and national radio stations.
MERSETA 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 MERSETA 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 MERSETA subject to the availability of funds and adherence to certain criteria as per the MERSETA Discretionary Grants Policy and Guidelines well as an endorsement from the MERSETA Accounting Authority.
How do you get a SETA learnership?
A learnership, one of SETA’s opportunities, is an organized learning method for obtaining academic knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. These organized learning processes are time-based and not outcome-based and acknowledges the need for erstwhile learning. The time frame of learnerships varies but averagely lasts for 18 months. To acquire an artisan equivalent qualification, the trainee must complete at least four separate learnerships. This means that the first four qualifications of the NQF levels must be attained.
Certain conditions must be satisfied by learners before commencing a SETA learnership, and these include:
- Learners may be current employees or new entrants
- Learners must satisfy entry criteria for the specific learnership they want to enroll in.
- Learners must meet the selection criteria put in place by the organization taking on the learner.
There are also specific processes involving other learners, employers, and training providers, to be followed, and these include:
- Employers are approved in their workplace and are expected to meet the pre-registration criteria.
- Training providers are accredited to provide particular learnerships by the ETQA.
- Qualified assessors are available. They may be either contracted assessors or in-house assessors.
- Companies advertise learnership opportunities through the media.
- Learners apply and are selected by the company recruitment process.
- A tripartite learnership agreement is signed among the employer, provider, and learner.
- A Short-term employment agreement is signed between the learner and the employer, assuming the learner is unemployed.
- The learning program and process is discussed and agreed to with the training provider.
- Employers fund the learnership through grants obtained from SETA.
- Employers and training providers deliver relevant learning and experience, working closely together to manage the training process.
- Learners are provided with support through mentoring and feedback.
- Learners are assessed by qualified assessors (formative and summative assessments)
- The Manufacturing, Engineering, and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority quality assuror is called to supervise the assessment. The provider must undertake internal supervision.
- A national qualification is given to the learner after the successful completion of the learnership.
- Learners get a record of their results for unit standards achieved if the learnership is not concluded.
Once the learnership process is over, the employer can choose to approve the learner for a new learnership, hire the learner or let go of the learner for future employment by another organization if he/she was unemployed.
According to 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 successful completion, it must lead to a qualification.
MERSETA Qualifications
The NQF Act specifies the statutory framework for standards-setting and quality assurance, including the development of Occupational Qualifications. One of the roles of the CLPU is to plan and develop purpose tailored occupational qualifications through stakeholder-driven processes. They also guarantee that the qualifications are presented to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for evaluation and endorsement and are eventually enrolled on the National Qualifications Framework by the SAQA. This is a duty assigned by the QCTO to the SETA. The MERSETA is the Development Quality Partner (DQP) trusted with the capacity to expedite the design and development of occupational qualifications instead of the Sector. Associations or Professional Bodies can serve the purpose of being the DQP inside the Sector.
The SETA makes sure that the required qualifications satisfy the requirements of Sector skills via the Chambers and also that the DQP funds the development. This is done via a Community of Expert Practitioners set up by Subject Matter Experts from the Manufacturing and Engineering Sector and other significant Sectors. The SETA then enrolls Learnerships with the DHET against enrolled occupational qualifications to deliver the qualifications’ learning delivery mechanism.
Qualification Rules
Qualification includes a Core, a Fundamental, and an Elective Component.
To be competent in the Qualification, learners must earn at least 143 credits, as shown below.
Core Component
The Core Component comprises of Unit Standards of about 67 credits, all of which are mandatory.
Fundamental Component
The Fundamental Component comprises of Unit Standards in:
- 20 units in Communication at NQF Level 4 in a First South African Language.
- 16 credits in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
- 20 credits in Communication in a Second South African Language at NQF Level 3
Therefore, learners must do Communication in two different South African languages, at Level 3 and Level 4.
All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are required.
Elective Component
The Elective Component comprises of Unit Standards to the sum of 343 credits. Learners are to choose Unit Standards of at least 20 credits.
Requirements
Candidates must attach a comprehensive curriculum vitae with contact details, reachable references, and any information they feel may be relevant to their application. Several qualifications may be applied depending on the career path chosen. Certified copies of all relevant certificates, ID documentation, and proof of residence no older than three months should also be included.
Candidates need to have the following:
- A South African citizenship
- A Matric / Grade 12 certificate
- Proficiency in English (including read, write and speak)
- Proficiency in one other national language
- Computer literacy will be an advantage
- All candidates must be a team player and self-motivated.
- Flexibility with a dedication to learning, but moreover willingness to work
MERSETA Bursary
The MERSETA Bursary assists candidates in getting a good education and work opportunities. A candidate who wants to change their future and have a passion for learning should apply for a Merseta bursary. They will have to have an interest in one out of the five MERSETA subfactors. They should also have good grades in Maths and Physical Science.
MERSETA aims to tackle the skills shortage in South Africa and support the Employment Equity Act. Therefore, the advantage will be offered to the previously disadvantaged citizens of the country.
Objectives of MERSETA Bursary
To equip learners with highly demanded skills.
To grant financial help in the form of a bursary for learners to become valuable assets in all sectors.
To educate and train individuals of disadvantaged backgrounds, especially based on race, gender, disability, and access.
Bursaries are granted to students in Universities and Universities of Technology in the following areas of study:
Universities of Technology students (semester courses):
- Metallurgy & Materials Engineering (National Diploma)
- Chemical Engineering (National Diploma)
- Industrial Engineering (National Diploma)
- Electrical Engineering (National Diploma)
- Mechanical Engineering (including Mechatronics) (National Diploma)
- Production and Operations Management (National Diploma)
- Polymer Technology (National Diploma)
University students (undergraduate programs):
- Electrical Engineering (BSc)
- Chemical Engineering (BSc)
- Mechanical Engineering, including Mechatronics (BSc)
- Industrial Engineering (BSc)
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (BSc)
- Production and Operations Management (BSc)
- Polymer Technology (BSc)
Bursaries will be granted to students from their first year of study; however, current students can only apply if they have partially completed their courses with satisfactory results and cannot continue their studies without any means of financing.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum entry criteria listed below before applying.
- Either working at a MERSETA registered company or unemployed but would like to work within the MERSETA.
- South African citizen
- Satisfy the minimum admission requirements of the tertiary institution
- Have a Matric OR a post-Matric certificate or an equivalent qualification
- Studying or plan on studying towards one of the qualifications mentioned above
How to apply for the bursary
Application forms can be requested by emailing [email protected].
Applicants may be asked to submit copies of the following supporting documentation along with their completed application form. Submitting these documents is mandatory – if any of these items are missing, the application may be disregarded:
- Certified copy of ID document
- Certified copy of matric certificate or its equivalent
- Certified copy of the latest tertiary report, if currently studying
- Proof of any other bursaries or scholarship
- Proof of registration/application at a University or University of Technology