South Africa
Skills Development Act, 1998
Act 97 of 1998
- Published in Government Gazette 19420 on 2 November 1998
- Assented to on 20 October 1998
- There are multiple commencements
- [This is the version of this document from 9 August 2015.]
Provisions | Status |
---|---|
Chapter 1 (section 1–3); Chapter 2 (section 4–8); Chapter 7, section 27(1), 27(2)(c), 27(2)(d), 27(2)(e), 27(2)(f), section 28, section 29 | commenced on 2 February 1999 by Proclamation R11 of 1999. |
Chapter 7, section 30(a)(i), 30(a)(ii), section 30A | commenced on 1 September 1999. |
Chapter 3 (section 9–15); Chapter 5 (section 20–21); Chapter 6 (section 22–26); Chapter 7, section 27(2)(a), 27(2)(b), section 30(a), 30(b); Chapter 8 (section 31–39) | commenced on 10 September 1999 by Proclamation R95 of 1999. |
Chapter 4 (section 16–19) | commenced on 1 April 2001 by Proclamation R23 of 2001. |
Chapter 2, section 5(1)(b)(iii), section 6(2)(eA); Chapter 3, section 9(4), section 9A, section 10(1)(jA), section 10A, section 13(4), section 14(3A), 14(3B), section 14A, section 15(1)(d), 15(1)(e), 15(4); Chapter 4, section 17(7), section 19(7); Chapter 6, section 24(5); Chapter 7, section 28(1), 28(2), section 29(4), section 30B; Chapter 8, section 32(1), 32(2), section 33(e), section 36(c), 36(d), 36(e), 36(f), 36(g), 36(h), 36(i), 36(j), 36(k), 36(l), 36(m), 36(n), 36(o), 36(p), 36(q), 36(r), 36(s) | commenced on 14 November 2003. |
Chapter 1, section 2(2)(a)(vii), 2(2)(a)(viii), 2(2)(a)(ix), 2(2)(a)(x), 2(2)(a)(xi), 2(2)(a)(xii); Chapter 2, section 5(1)(dA), 5(4), section 6(2)(g), 6(2)(h), 6(3)(e); Chapter 3, section 10(1)(iA), 10(1)(jB); Chapter 4, section 17(7)(c), 17(7)(d); Chapter 6, section 22(2)(c)(vi), 22(2)(c)(vii), 22(2)(c)(viii), 22(2)(d), section 23(1)(c), 23(1)(d), 23(2)(f); Chapter 6A (section 26A–26D); Chapter 6B (section 26E); Chapter 6C (section 26F–26J); Chapter 6D (section 26K–26N); Chapter 7, section 29(1)(d), 29(1A); Chapter 8, section 36(rA), 36(rB) | commenced on 6 April 2009. |
Chapter 6C, section 26G(5)(a), 26G(5)(b), 26G(5)(c), 26G(5)(d), 26G(5)(e) | commenced on 7 December 2010. |
Chapter 3, section 9(1)(a), 9(1)(b), section 9A(9), 9A(10), 9A(11), 9A(12), 9A(13), 9A(14), 9A(15), section 9B, section 10A(1)(d), section 11(1), 11(2), 11(3), 11(4), 11(5), section 11A, section 11B–11C, section 13(2)(a), 13(2)(b), 13(2)(c), 13(2)(d), 13(2)(e), 13(2)(f), 13(2)(g), 13(2)(h), 13(2)(i), 13(2)(j), 13(2)(k), 13(2)(l), 13(2)(m), 13(2)(n), 13(2)(o), 13(2)(p), 13(2)(q), 13(5), section 13A, section 13B | commenced on 11 May 2012. |
- [Amended by Skills Development Levies Act, 1999 (Act 9 of 1999) on 1 September 1999]
- [Amended by Skills Development Amendment Act, 2003 (Act 31 of 2003) on 14 November 2003]
- [Amended by Skills Development Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 37 of 2008) on 6 April 2009]
- [Amended by Higher Education Laws Amendment Act, 2010 (Act 26 of 2010) on 7 December 2010]
- [Amended by Skills Development Amendment Act, 2011 (Act 26 of 2011) on 11 May 2012]
- [Amended by Employment Services Act, 2014 (Act 4 of 2014) on 9 August 2015]
Chapter 1
Definitions, purpose and application of Act
1. Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates—"Accounting Authority" means the Accounting Authority of a SETA contemplated in section 11;[definition of "Accounting Authority" inserted by section 1(a) of Act 26 of 2011]"apprenticeship" means a learnership in respect of a listed trade, and includes a trade-test in respect of that trade;[definition of "apprenticeship" inserted by section 1(a) of Act 37 of 2008]"artisan" means a person that has been certified as competent to perform a listed trade in accordance with this Act;[definition of "artisan" inserted by section 1(a) of Act 37 of 2008]"Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Accounting Authority;[definition of "Chairperson" inserted by section 1(b) of Act 26 of 2011]"Basic Conditions of Employment Act" means the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act No. 75 of 1997);"Department" means the Department of Higher Education and Training, except in—(a)sections 2(1)(g) and (h), 2(2)(a)(v), (vi) and (xii), 5(4) (only with respect to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K), 22(1), 23(1)(a) and (d), (2) and (3), 24, 25, 26, 26K, 26L, 26M, 26N, 32(2), 36(o), (p) and (q), item 7 of Schedule 2A and Schedule 4; and(b)sections 32(1), 33 and 36(a) and (s) and any other provision to the extent that these provisions apply to 'employment services' defined in section 1 or to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K, but excluding section 23(1)(b) and (c),where it means the Department or Labour;[definition of "Department" substituted by section 4(a) of Act 26 of 2010]"designated groups" means black people, women and people with disabilities;[definition of "designated groups" inserted by section 1(a) of Act 31 of 2003]"Director-General" means the Director-General of Higher Education and Training;[definition of "Director-General" substituted by section 4(b) of Act 26 of 2010]"employee" means—(a)any person, excluding an independent contractor, who works for another person or for the State and who receives, or is entitled to receive any remuneration; or(b)any other person who in any manner assists in carrying on or conducting the business of an employer,and "employed" and "employment" have corresponding meanings:"employment services" [definition of "employment services" deleted by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]"government department" means any department or organisational component referred to in Schedule 1 or 2 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994);"Labour Court" means the Labour Court established by section 151 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995);"learner" includes an apprentice;[definition of "learner" inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008]"learnership" includes an apprenticeship;[definition of "learnership" inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008]"learning" means the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, values, skill, competence or experience;[definition of "learning" inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008]"learning programme" includes a learnership, an apprenticeship, a skills programme and any other prescribed learning programme which includes a structured work experience component;[definition of "learning programme" inserted by section 1(b) of Act 37 of 2008]"Minister" means the Minister of Higher Education and Training, except in—(a)sections 2(1)(g) and (h), 2(2)(a)(v), (vi) and (xii), 5(4) (only with respect to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K), 22(1), 23(1)(a) and (d), (2) and (3), 24, 25, 26, 26K, 26L, 26M, 26N, 32(2), 36(o), (p) and (q), item 7 of Schedule 2A and Schedule 4; and(b)sections 32(1), 33 and 36(a) and (s) and any other provision to the extent that these provisions apply to 'employment services' defined in section 1 or to Productivity South Africa established by section 26K, but excluding section 23(1)(b) and (c),where it means the Minister of Labour;[definition of "Minister" substituted by section 4(c) of Act 26 of 2010]"National Qualifications Framework" means the National Qualifications Framework contemplated by the NQF Act;[definition of "National Qualifications Framework" inserted by section 1(c) of Act 37 of 2008 and substituted by section 1(d) of Act 26 of 2011]"National Skills Authority" means the National Skills Authority established by section 4;"national skills development policy" means the national skills development policy referred to in section 5(1)(a)(i);"national skills development strategy" means the national skills development strategy referred to in section 5(1)(a)(ii);"National Skills Fund" means the National Skills Fund established by section 27;"NEDLAC" means the National Economic Development and Labour Council established by section 2 of the National Economic Development and Labour Council Act, 1994 (Act No. 35 of 1994);"NQF Act" means the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008);[definition of "NQF Act" inserted by section 1(e) of Act 26 of 2011]"occupational qualification" means a qualification associated with a trade, occupation or profession resulting from work-based learning and consisting of knowledge unit standards, practical unit standards and work experience unit standards;[definition of "occupational qualification" inserted by section 1(d) of Act 37 of 2008]"Occupational Qualifications Framework" means the sub-framework for occupational qualifications which forms an integral part of the National Qualifications Framework;[definition of "Occupational Qualifications Framework" inserted by section 1(d) of Act 37 of 2008]"organised employers"—(a)means any employers' organisation in the sector in question that is registered in terms of the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995), and any other association of employers in that sector that represents the interests of its members as employers; and(b)includes a State Department referred to in Schedule 1 to the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994), as an employer in that sector;[definition of "organised employers" inserted by section 1(f) of Act 26 of 2011]"placement" means placing an individual in a placement opportunity, with due regard to the Code of Good Practice on the Integration of Employment Equity in Human Resources Policies and Practices in terms of the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No. 55 of 1998);[definition of "placement" inserted by section 1(e) of Act 37 of 2008]"placement opportunity" means any opportunity for work or learning that could be offered to an individual and includes a vacancy for employment, an opportunity for self-employment, a learning programme and community service;[definition of "placement opportunity" inserted by section 1(e) of Act 37 of 2008]"prescribed" means prescribed by regulation;"private employment services agency" means any person that provides employment services for gain;[definition of "private employment services agency" inserted by section 1(c) of Act 31 of 2003]"Public Finance Management Act" means the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999);[definition of "Public Finance Management Act" inserted by section 1(c) of Act 31 of 2003]"QCTO" means the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations established in terms of section 26G;[definition of "QCTO" inserted by section 1(f) of Act 37 of 2008]"regulation" means a regulation made and in force in terms of this Act;[definition of "regulation" substituted by section 1(d) of Act 31 of 2003]"repealed Act" means—(i)the Manpower Training Act, 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981);(ii)any law repealed by the Manpower Training Act, 1981, and any law repealed by such an Act; and(iii)any law listed in Schedule I to the Integration of Labour Laws Act, 1994 (Act No. 49 of 1994), dealing with training or skills development;[definition of "repealed Act" inserted by section 1(g) of Act 37 of 2008]"service level agreement" means a service level agreement concluded in terms of section 10A;[definition of "service level agreement" inserted by section 1(e) of Act 31 of 2003]"SETA" means a sector education and training authority established in terms of section 9(1):"SIC Code" means a code contained in the Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities published by Statistics South Africa;[definition of "SIC Code" inserted by section 1(g) of Act 26 of 2011]"Skills Development Levies Act" means the Skills Development Levies Act, 1999;[definition of "Skills Development Levies Act" substituted by section 23 of Act 9 of 1999]"skills development levies" means a levy as defined in section 1 of the Skills Development Levies Act;[definition of "Skills Development Levies" substituted by section 23 of Act 9 of 1999]"skills development provider" means a provider of an occupational learning;[definition of "skills development provider" inserted by section 1(h) of Act 37 of 2008]"South African Qualifications Authority" means the South African Qualifications Authority referred to in section 10 of the NQF Act;[definition of "South African Qualifications Authority" substituted by section 1(h) of Act 26 of 2011]"South African Qualifications Authority Act" [definition of "South African Qualifications Authority Act" deleted by section 1(i) of Act 26 of 2011]"this Act" includes any regulations but does not include the footnotes; and"trade" means an occupation for which an artisan qualification is required in terms of section 26B;[definition of "trade" inserted by section 1(i) of Act 37 of 2008]"worker" includes an employee, an unemployed person and a work-seeker.2. Purposes of Act
3. Interpretation
Any person applying this Act must interpret its provisions to give effect to—Chapter 2
National Skills Authority
4. Establishment of National Skills Authority
The National Skills Authority is hereby established.5. Functions of National Skills Authority
6. Composition of National Skills Authority and term and vacation of office
7. Constitution of National Skills Authority
8. Remuneration and administration of National Skills Authority
Chapter 3
Sector Education and Training Authorities
9. Establishment of SETA
9A. Amalgamation and dissolution of SETAs
9B. Incorporation of subsector into SETA
10. Functions of SETA
10A. SETAs to conclude service level agreements
11. Composition of Accounting Authority of SETA
11A. Eligibility to become member of Accounting Authority
A person does not qualify for appointment to an Accounting Authority—11B. Vacation of office by members of Accounting Authority
11C. Disclosure of conflict of interests
12. Chambers of SETA
13. Constitution of SETA
13A. Conduct of Accounting Authority member or staff member
13B. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
14. Finances of SETA
14A. Minister may issue written instructions to SETAs
15. Taking over administration of SETA
Chapter 4
Learnerships
16. Learnerships
A SETA may establish a learnership if—17. Learnership agreements
18. Contract of employment with learner
19. Disputes about learnerships
Chapter 5
Skills programmed
20. Skills programmed
21. Disputes
Any party to a dispute about the application or interpretation of—Chapter 6
Institutions in Department of Labour and employment services
[heading substituted by section 15 of Act 31 of 2003 and by section 8 of Act 37 of 2008]22. Administration of Act by Department
23. Employment services
24. ***
[section 24 repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]25. ***
[section 25 substituted by section 17 of Act 31 of 2003 and repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]26. ***
[section 26 repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]Chapter 6A
Artisan development
[Chapter 6A inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008]26A. National artisan moderation body
26B. Listing of trades
The Minister may, on application by one or more SETAs in the prescribed form, by notice in the Gazette—26C. National register of artisans
26D. Trade tests
Chapter 6B
Skills development institutes
[Chapter 6B inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008]26E. Skills development institutes
Chapter 6C
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
[Chapter 6C inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008]26F. Policy on occupational standards and qualifications
26G. Establishment of QCTO
26H. Functions of QCTO
26I. Delegation of functions
26J. Regulations regarding occupational standards and qualifications
The Minister may, after consulting the QCTO, by notice in the Gazette make regulations regarding—Chapter 6D
Workplace productivity and competitiveness
[Chapter 6D inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008]26K. ***
[section 26K inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008 and repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]26L. ***
[section 26L inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008 and repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]26M. ***
[section 26M inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008 and repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]26N. ***
[section 26N inserted by section 11 of Act 37 of 2008 and repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]Chapter 7
Financing skills development
27. National Skills Fund
28. Use of money in Fund
29. Control and administration of Fund
30. Budget for training by public service employers
Each public service employer in the national and provincial spheres of government—30A. Budget for training by national and provincial public entities
If 80 per cent or more of the expenditure of a national or provincial public entity is defrayed directly or indirectly from funds voted by Parliament, that entity—30B. National standard of good practice in skills development
Chapter 8
General
31. Jurisdiction of Labour Court
32. Monitoring, enforcement and legal proceedings
33. ***
[section 33 repealed by section 53(1) of Act 4 of 2014]34. Penalties
Any person convicted of an offence referred to in section 33 may be sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.35. Delegation
36. Regulations
The Minister may, after consultation with the National Skills Authority, by notice in the Gazette, make regulations regarding—37. Repeal of laws and transitional provisions
38. Act binds State
This Act binds the State.39. Short title and commencement
History of this document
09 August 2015 this version
Amended by
Employment Services Act, 2014
11 May 2012
07 December 2010
06 April 2009
14 November 2003
01 April 2001
Commenced by
Skills Development Act, 1998: Commencement
10 September 1999
Commenced by
Skills Development Act, 1998: Commencement
01 September 1999
02 February 1999
Commenced by
Skills Development Act, 1998: Commencement
02 November 1998
20 October 1998
Assented to
Cited documents 9
Act 9
1. | Public Finance Management Act, 1999 | 2229 citations |
2. | Labour Relations Act, 1995 | 1976 citations |
3. | Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 | 626 citations |
4. | Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 | 601 citations |
5. | Higher Education Act | 555 citations |
6. | Employment Equity Act, 1998 | 544 citations |
7. | Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 | 372 citations |
8. | Telecommunications Act, 1996 | 330 citations |
9. | Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 | 237 citations |
Documents citing this one 599
Gazette 575
Judgment 11
Act 7
1. | Income Tax Act, 1962 | 1623 citations |
2. | Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 | 626 citations |
3. | Unemployment Insurance Act, 2001 | 186 citations |
4. | Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, 2002 | 115 citations |
5. | Employment Services Act, 2014 | 35 citations |
6. | National Minimum Wage Act, 2018 | 18 citations |
7. | Free State Gambling and Liquor Act, 2010 | 2 citations |
Government Notice 3
General Notice 2
By-law 1
1. | Water By-law, 2023 |
Subsidiary legislation
Title | Numbered title |
---|---|
Department of Higher Education and Training: Extension of the date for submission of the 2020/2021 financial year applications for mandatory grants | Government Notice 501 of 2020 |
National list of occupations in high demand, 2024 | General Notice 2414 of 2024 |
Regulations regarding the Establishment of Sector Education and Training Authorities, 1999 | Government Notice R1082 of 1999 |
Regulations regarding the Establishment of Sector Education and Training Authorities: Amendment | Government Notice R106 of 2005 |