Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998)

Constitutions

Constitution of the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA)

4. Objectives of Authority
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In performing the functions contemplated in the Act and in this Constitution, the Authority must seek to promote the objectives contemplated in clauses 4(1), 4(2), and 4(3).

 

(1)General objectives

 

The general objectives of the Authority are—

(a)to identify skills shortages in the Sector;
(b)to develop the skills of employees in the Sector;
(c)to improve the quality of life, prospects and labour mobility of employees in the Sector;
(d)to strengthen the institutional capacity of health and welfare services in order to improve productivity and the quality of services;
(e)to increase the levels of investment in skills development and to improve returns on such investment;
(f)to improve productivity in the workplace and the competitiveness of employers;
(g)to improve the employment prospects of persons previously disadvantaged by unfair discrimination;
(h)in liaison with employment services and private employment services agencies, to assist .work-seekers to gain access to work experience;
(i)in liaison with employment services and private employment services agencies, to assist retrenched workers to re-enter the labour market;
(j)to access additional finds from the National Skills Fund in accordance with any prescribed procedure, or any applicable law, for the benefit of the Sector;
(k)to assist employers to find suitably qualified employees;
(l)to liaise with employers in skills development programmes;
(m)to promote skills for self-employment;
(n)to promote the quality of education and training in the Sector;
(o)to approve and accredit providers of education and training in the Sector;
(p)to promote effective communication and participation between bodies involved in skills development both inside and outside the Sector; and
(q)to support the development of the National Qualifications Framework.

 

(2)Objectives in relation to employers

 

The objectives of the Authority in relation to employers are to encourage them—

(a)to develop their capacity to manage and provide education and training;
(b)to provide employees with the opportunities to acquire new skills;
(c)to use their workplaces and facilities to create active learning environments;
(d)to identify skills needs in the workplace;
(e)to ensure quality education and training in the workplace;
(f)to develop workplace skills plans in the context of integrated development planning;
(g)to provide new entrants to the labour market with opportunities to learn through exposure to work experience in learnership programmes;
(h)to provide appropriate education and training interventions in relation to job creation and local economic development initiatives;
(i)to provide employment opportunities for persons who might otherwise find it difficult to obtain employment;
(j)to support education and training interventions linked to the objectives and mechanisms of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998); and
(k)to develop appropriate partnerships between themselves and other public, private and non-governmental organisations.

 

(3)Objectives in relation to employees

 

The objectives of the Authority in relation to employees are to encourage them—

(a)to participate in learnerships and other education and training programmes;
(b)to participate in the governance and evaluation of the programmes they undertake; and
(c)to develop an ethos of responsibility in respect of their work.