FCA

Q: I’m paying the skills levy – now what do I do?
A: Now it’s time to go through the processes that will enable you to access a training grant. The first piece of documentation is the workplace skills plan (WSP). When you submit this, you will be able to claim 15% of your levy back.

Q: What is a WSP?
A:

The WSP details a company’s training and development needs in relation to its operational strategy. It shows where skills gaps exist and where new skills are needed and it informs a company’s training interventions.

As with all SETAs, SASSETA is required to develop and maintain a sector skills plan within the framework of the National Skills Development Strategy. This document is influenced to a great extent by the information contained in the WSPs submitted.

Q: Who is involved in putting together the WSP?
A:

It is prepared by the company’s skills development facilitator (SDF), who should be a member of the company’s human resources planning team. This individual is either an employee normally from the training and development department or an external person appointed to assist the company to plan training interventions.

The WSP should be consultative, involving both management and employees. Before it is submitted to SASSETA it must be agreed to and signed by both a management and employee representative.

Q: What should be considered when preparing a WSP?
A:

There are seven steps, as follows:

• Take stock of the environment in which the company operates and its interaction with this environment. Include the following:
• Analyse your company’s strategy and/or business plan, which will lead to a renewed understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to meet business obligations and reach goals.
• Make an inventory of current knowledge and skills among employees, for comparison with the determined needs. This inventory should include:
• Determine knowledge and skills needs.
• Set priorities.
• Identify the people to be developed and schedule this in a plan, with a budget.
• Complete the WSP and submit it to SASSETA. Once accepted you will receive 15% of the levy you paid to SARS.

Q: What happens next?
A: Implement the training detailed in the WSP and later complete an annual training report (ATR). This report is evidence that the planned training has taken place and qualifies a company for a grant totaling 45% of its levy.