Hi everyone 👋
Skills Season has arrived!!!
Which means inboxes fill up fast, spreadsheets are completed on the fly and suddenly everyone wants to know where the training records are….fondly known as the “Chicken Run” at Thrive🐔
For us as Skills Development Facilitators, this time of year always feels a little intense. WSPs. ATRs. Seta requirements. LMS glitches. March & April deadlines that sneak up faster than expected.
The reality is many organisations leave submissions until the last minute. Then opportunities for future discretionary funding or proper skills planning quietly slip through the cracks.
Does your organisation manage SDF responsibilities internally, or do you work with an external consultant? 👀 And as always….
How can we help?
Yours in skills,
Andrea
QCTO & SETA NEWS
DHET: has released the 14th edition of the Research Bulletin on Post School Education and Training. Read more here.
DHET: has announced interventions to restore governance and rebuild trust within several Setas following investigations into governance failures and financial mismanagement. The measures aim to strengthen oversight, improve accountability, and stabilise the skills development system. Read more here.
QCTO: participated in the MQA Mining Skills Lekgotla in Midrand. CEO Mr Vijayen Naidoo joined the panel on technological advancements and future skills in the mining and minerals sector. Read more here.
QCTO: Train the Trainer Workshop took place at Sedibeng TVET College, Vanderbijlpark Campus. Master Trainers and SMEs came together to support the TVET transition to the QCTO. Read more here.
ALL SETAS: Here is an opinion piece reflecting on the State of the Nation Address highlights the importance of strengthening South Africa’s skills development system. The article calls for stronger implementation and accountability to ensure that the skills system delivers real employment outcomes. Read more here.
SERVICES SETA: has issued an official public notice confirming the termination and cancellation of all prescribed and lapsed Discretionary Grant project claims linked to legacy projects from 2014 to 2022, following a legal and financial review. Read more here.
SERVICES SETA: The February 2026 edition of the Services Seta Pulse is now live. This month’s edition highlights key developments and sector priorities. Read more here. Read more here
SERVICES SETA: has launched the “To the Power of X²” National Talent Activation Programme to connect graduates with internship and workplace opportunities. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by activating youth talent across multiple sectors. Read more here.
FOODBEV SETA: The QCTO took part at the FoodBev Seta Research Colloquium hosted at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, to explore innovative approaches to strengthening learning and advancing excellence within the food and beverages manufacturing sector. Read more here.
CETA: Government has released a progress briefing on the intervention in several Setas placed under administration, including Ceta and Services Seta. The update outlines steps taken to restore governance, strengthen financial controls, and stabilise operations within the skills development system. Read more here.
CETA: has issued a public notice indicating its intention to cancel legacy discretionary grant projects awarded between the 2011/12 and 2020/21 financial years. Affected stakeholders have been invited to submit supporting documentation before the deadline. Read more here
CETA: has released a notice to Skills Development Providers regarding the high volume of ETQA related queries currently being processed. To improve response times and streamline communication, providers are now required to submit all quality assurance queries to a dedicated email channel. Read more here.
AGRISETA: has released the latest edition of the AgriSETA Connect newsletter, highlighting key developments in the agricultural skills sector, including training initiatives, industry partnerships, and updates on skills development programmes supporting the sector. Read more here.
OPEN DISCRETIONARY GRANT WINDOWS
LG SETA Discretionary Grant funding window, 2026/27 cycle
The Local Government Seta has opened its discretionary grant funding window for the 2026/27 financial year. Stakeholders in the local government sector are invited to apply for funding to support training programmes and workforce development initiatives aligned with municipal sector priorities. For more information and to apply, click here.
CETA Discretionary Grant funding window, 2026/27 cycle
Ceta has opened its discretionary grant funding window for the 2026/27 financial year. Organisations operating in the construction sector are invited to submit proposals for training programmes that support priority skills development needs. For more information and application details, click here.
FASSET ending March 2026
Fasset has reopened its Lifelong Learning online training in partnership with professional bodies. The programme runs until March 2026 and focuses on workplace-relevant skills, including Artificial Intelligence and strengthening internal audit functions. For more information click here.
AGRISETA Discretionary Grant window, closing 31 March 2026
The AgriSeta has opened its Discretionary Grant funding window for the 2026/27 financial year. Eligible stakeholders in the agricultural sector are invited to apply for funding to support bursaries, internships, graduate placement programmes and other priority skills development initiatives aligned with the Sector Skills Plan. For more information and application details, click here.
Assessing in the QCTO environment does not need to feel overwhelming.
This one day online workshop gives you clear, practical guidance so you assess with confidence and know exactly what the QCTO expects.
LMS Live Demos. Every Friday!
See the Thrive Rekindle EpiTek LMS in action before you commit. Join our live LMS demos every Friday from 10am to 11am and experience how QCTO delivery works in real time.
WHOOP WHOOPS
Congratulations to the following organisation for achieving their QCTO accreditations with us and well done to our super-duper, enthusiastic and energetic accreditation partners:
Talent Shaper Holdings: OC: Software Developer. With thanks to our accreditation partner Alida van Heerden.
Setanta Education: OC: Fitness Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor and Individual fitness Instructor. Thank you to our accreditation partner Handri Stadler.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: join Thrive Community…a just-in-time, day-by-day account of the QCTO and Seta goings-on. Full of titbits, info, insights and offers….link here:
