The Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) is submitted by organisations to the relevant Skills Education and Training Authority (SETA) and documents the training needed for the next 12 months. The Annual Training Report (ATR) which is also submitted to the SETA depicts the training that took place in the prior year. The Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998, aims to expand knowledge and competencies of the workforce in order to improve productivity and employment. In terms of the Act, organisations that have an annual payroll of over R500 000 are required to pay a Skills Development Levy of 1% of their payroll to South African Revenue Services (SARS). SARS then pays this across to the relevant SETAs.

The WSP and ATR must be submitted by a registered Skills Development Facilitator (SDF). By complying with legislative requirements, a company is granted access to the various SETA grants available for skills training. A pre-requisite in qualifying for such grants is the submission of the WSP and ATR.

The WSP enables organisations to identify training and development needs of its employees and with this addressing the skills gaps which improves overall productivity. Organisations that have 50 or more employees need to establish a Skills Development Committee and consult with the Committee prior to the submission of the skills report. All companies need to appoint a suitably qualified Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) to facilitate the training needs within the organisation and liaise with the SETA.

Benefit to clients:

• Employers may claim 20% of their total levy contribution annually, called the Mandatory Grant, through submission of a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) which is due by 30 April each year.
• Only levy paying organisations may access mandatory grant funding.
• The plan and report may be used as an application for a discretionary grant for essential training.
• Points will be earned under the revised B-BBEE Codes for the Skills Development priority element upon successful submission of the Plan and Report.
• Skills Development positively promotes succession planning and Employment Equity in the workplace.

Contact Prishana Datadin on (031) 831 3201 or prishana@masterbuilders.co.za for more details.

Dr. Prishana Datadin | Human Resources Manager