Thrive Newsletter September 2025

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A blooming good time!

Still my favourite season! There’s something about this time of year that feels like a deep breath out….sunshine, blooms and that little nudge from nature reminding us it’s time for growth and new beginnings. And who doesn’t like flowers?
So, whether you’re reaching out for some QCTO support; signing up for one of our courses, finding our resources page resourceful, or just soaking up the latest industry insights, this newsletter is packed with everything you need to stay ahead and in a blooming good mood 🌼

Here’s to fresh starts, big opportunities and skills that thrive!

Yours in skills,

Andrea

QCTO & SETA NEWS 

DHET: has extended the deadline date for public comment on the National Qualifications Framework Further Amendment Bill to 15 September 2025. The initial deadline date was 15 June 2025. Gazette can be seen here.

DHET: has appointed administrators to Services Seta, LG Seta, and Ceta following serious governance concerns. Details here.

DHET: At the recent Lecture Development Conference hosted at Motheo TVET College, the QCTO highlighted major progress as TVET colleges transition from legacy to occupational qualifications: Check out the full story from their Lecture Development Conference here.

DHET: Here is new Minister Buti Manamela addressing the media on the state of the Post-School Education & Training (PSET) sector.

SETA: over the past 5 years, South Africa’s 21 SETAs have invested R7,2 billion in universities, benefiting more than 80,000 people. Here is the full ASCEO release.

QCTO: Here are the new QCTO qualifications out for public comment – please be sure to get involved if these are your areas of expertise.

QCTO: In case you missed it, here is the curriculum implementation tool used by the QCTO monitors.

QCTO: Here is a research note from Economic Research South Africa, titled: “Time to rethink skills development. An independent review of the Sector Education and Training Authority system”.

QCTO: This month and beyond, the QCTO is rolling out provincial capacity-building workshops across all nine provinces to equip accredited and prospective private Skills Development Providers (SDPs) with the knowledge and tools needed to fully understand and comply with QCTO’s quality assurance standards, and to enhance learner competency. Click here to find out more.

QCTO: Here are the presentations from Day 1 of the QCTO KZN SDP workshop:

And here are the presentations from Day 2 of the QCTO KZN SDP workshop:

W&R Seta: The development of new qualifications for the Wholesale & Retail sector. Comments and input to be submitted by 29 August 2025 to: qu************@********rg.za. View the qualifications here.

SASSETA: Sasseta has confirmed that QCTO/SAQA has extended the learner enrolment deadline to 30 June 2026 for some legacy qualifications. If your accreditation was set to expire on 31 December 2025 and you’re still actively training, you must apply for an extension by 30 October 2025. Click here for more information.

OPEN DISCRETIONARY GRANT WINDOWS

AGRISETA DG window, closing 15 September 2025
AgriSeta is inviting all stakeholders, employers, and organisations to apply for Discretionary Grants for the 2026/2027 financial year. This funding window supports a wide range of accredited learning programmes for both levy-paying and non-levy paying entities. For more information click here.

FASSET DG window, closing between 31 August 2025 and February 2026
Fasset has opened funding windows for the 2025/2026 financial year. Eligible stakeholders in the Finance and Accounting sector are invited to apply for programmes including the Employed Bursary Programme, Learner Employment Grant, Professional Body Programme, Public TVET Lecturer Bursary, and Outstanding Study Debt Repayment. Click here to apply.

HW SETA: has released an Expression of Interest (EOI) for SMEs, NGOs, NPOs, and Cooperatives looking to participate in sector-aligned opportunities. To access the expression of interest, click here.

FASSET: is calling on Subject Matter Experts to help develop new Occupational Qualifications: Audit Committee Practitioner, Performance Professional, Internal Control Practitioner, Oversight/Independent Oversight. If you’ve got the experience and passion to contribute, send your application to No*****************@********rg.za. Click here for the application form.

FASSET: has launched its Lifelong Learning online training, facilitated by partner professional bodies. These courses, available until March 2026, are designed to help sector employees sharpen workplace skills and stay competitive. For any further enquiries please contact li**************@********rg.za

COURSES ON OFFER

Click here to view our full training calendar, sign up for our online courses, and explore more upcoming dates.

Register Here

WHOOP WHOOPS

Congratulations to the following organisations for successfully achieving their QCTO accreditations with us this last month.

  • Future Nation College: SP: New Venture Creation. OC: Early Childhood Development Practitioner. Thank you to our accreditation partner Alida van Heerden.
  • Entrepreneurship To The Point: OC: Real Estate Agent . Thank you to our accreditation partner Izelle Swart.
  • Powerpoint Lifestyles: OC: Crop Produce Analyst, OC: Poultry Farm and OC: Livestock Farmer (Livestock Farm Supervisor). Thank you to our accreditation partner Handri Stadler.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre: OC: Early Childhood Development Practitioner. Thank you to our accreditation partner Alida van Heerden.

KIND WORDS

Click here to view our full training calendar, sign up for these 👇online courses, and explore more upcoming dates

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: