INSETA LEARNERSHIPS

2 Background INSETA is working on an exit strategy towards completion and NSDS 2 and preparation for the QCTO and NSDS 3. In order to increase the success rate of the 2009 Learnerships, INSETA decided to run these as a project with definite timelines and deliverables. A major part of the success of this project depends on the cooperation between Employers, Training Providers and the INSETA.

3 Compliance Compliance plays an important role when running Learnerships. The following compliance elements need to be considered:  The SD Act (Act 97 of 1998) which among others, regulates Learnerships Agreements  Sectoral Determination, which regulates the 18.2 Learners employment contracts.  INSETA Learnerships Funding Policy and Procedure

4 Considering grant applications When making Learnerships grant allocations, INSETA considers the following:  The Lead Employer (applicant)  The Training Provider (May also be an Employer)  Qualification applied for  Learner

5 The Lead Employer The Lead Employer must:  be conducting business in the Insurance Sector  have levies paid up-to-date  submit a letter of commitment to the Learnership to the INSETA  have a Learnerships coordinator, workplace assessor and mentors  have resources to host the learners  must have a good track record of learner placements on completion of Learnerships

6 The Training Provider The Training Provider must:  be accredited  have scope for the qualification applied for  have a Learnerships Coordinator with who INSETA can contact during the Learnership  have registered Assessors and Moderators who have the scope.

7 The Learners  Learners must be a South African citizens (for funding)  The Learners’ racial profile must satisfy the NSDS Equity requirements  The learners must not be on any other learning programmes at the same time that they are on the Learnership

8 Challenges The following are common challenges:  Implementing learnerships without written approval of INSETA  Failure to load learners onto the SMS  Submission of incomplete learner documents and or information  Late submission of agreements  Use of Assessors and Moderators that do not have scope  Use of Training Providers that do not have scope for the qualification

9 Challenges (Continued)  Delays in start completion of Learnerships.  Failure to inform INSETA of changes in the Learnership, e.g.  Change of Qualification  Change of Training Provider  Learner Termination  Learner information not loaded on SMS  Learners not linked to Assessors and Moderators  Learner stipends not paid  Failure to submit Progress or Closure reports

10 Going forward  Learner details must be loaded on the SMS before commencement of the Learnership.  INSETA must be notified of intention to run a Learnership even if the Learnership is not funded.  Proof of payment of learners’ stipends must accompany Progress and Closure reports  Learner credits must be loaded on the SMS immediately after verification

11 Learnerships Funding Payment take place only after reports are submitted to INSETA, Verification is done and learner credits are loaded on the SMS The INSETA allocates discretionary grants for Learnerships thus:  Mega Companies (2000+ employees) - 25%  Macro Companies (1999 – 1000 employees) – 25%  Large Companies (999 – 150 employees) – 20%  Medium Companies (149 – 50 employees) – 15%  Small Companies (49 – 0 employees) – 15%

12 Important Note – re: Funding Applicants will be given 30days from date of receiving correspondence confirming provisional allocation of funds from INSETA, to submit any outstanding documentation. Thereafter, the provisionally allocated funds will be withdrawn. Withdrawal of funds will be communicated in writing to the applicant. This means the employer will have to wait for the next open window, i.e. following year, to apply again.

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