With Skills Development as a priority element on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Scorecard, you now have the opportunity to earn 30 vital points. This means you must emphasise the Skills Development element and at least meet the 40% sub-minimum required as a Priority Element. Should you fail in doing so, you’ll be discounted 1 level which may lead to non-compliance.
SETAs and BEE
All entities with a payroll exceeding R500 000 per annum are required to register with their relevant Skills Educational Training Authority (SETA) and pay a 1% contribution to the Skills Levy. Proof of registration should be provided together with the submission of a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP). This is a pre-requisite to earn points under the Skills Development element.
The Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)
The purpose of the WSP is to stipulate how an entity will address skills development and training requirements in the workplace. It also supports the employer in recognizing and implementing skills development programmes which will fill existing skills gaps within the entity.
WSPs as a strategic tool for BEE
Drafting a WSP ensures that skills development programmes and training activities are aligned with the overall organisational development strategy. Training progress should be shown in an Annual Training Report.
Entities are required to submit the WSP annually, being valid for a 12 month period. Submissions can be done during February to the end of April each year. Entities must ensure that their WSP and PIVOTAL Plans are in line with their BEE requirements. This will eliminate any problems during the BEE verification process.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dominique van Deventer obtained his LLB degree from the University of the Free State. He is a SEESA BEE Legal Advisor at our Bloemfontein office and has been with SEESA for more than 2 years.