Employers urged to comply with skills development mandates as April 30 deadline looms

STAFF REPORTER

WITH the April 30 deadline for Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) submissions fast approaching, labour law experts are sounding the alarm for employers to act swiftly or risk non-compliance penalties.

In a bid to demystify the process, Strata-g Labour Solutions will host a critical webinar on April 2 to guide organisations through the labyrinth of regulatory requirements.

Scheduled for April 2 from 10am to 11.30am, the online workshop promises actionable insights for HR managers, skills development facilitators, and SME owners.

Registration is accessible via the Strata-g Labour Solutions’ website.

“The WSP and ATR are not just bureaucratic checkboxes - they are strategic tools to align workforce development with national economic goals.

"But without accurate data, a clear understanding of training gaps, and adherence to the Skills Development Act, employers risk falling foul of the law and missing out on vital funding opportunities,” emphasised Advocate Wessels.

Under South Africa’s Skills Development Levies Act, companies with an annual payroll exceeding R500 000 must contribute 1% of their wage bill to the Skills Development Levy (SDL). In return, they can reclaim mandatory grants by submitting compliant WSPs and ATRs to their Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

These documents outline planned training interventions and report on prior initiatives, ensuring alignment with the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). Yet, many employers struggle with the complexity of compiling these reports.

Common pitfalls include inconsistent data collection, misaligned training strategies, and missed SETA-specific criteria. Non-compliance could result in forfeited grants or audits. Wessels stressed that the webinar will delve into conducting a rigorous Training Needs Analysis (TNA), a cornerstone of securing mandatory grants.

“A robust TNA isn’t just about compliance—it’s about diagnosing skills shortages that hinder productivity and innovation. This webinar will equip employers to transform compliance into a competitive advantage,” Wessels explained.

The session will also address post-pandemic upskilling demands, particularly in digital literacy, leadership development, and technical sectors prioritized by SETAs.

With youth unemployment at crisis levels, experts argue that effective WSPs are critical for fostering employability and inclusive growth. 

Scheduled for April 2 from 10am to 11.30am, the online workshop promises actionable insights for HR managers, skills development facilitators, and SME owners.

Registration is accessible via Strategy g Labour Solutions’ website.