EWSETA

Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority

The Energy & Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is set to change slightly when the South African Government’s new SETA landscape kicks in during March 2011.

They will become one of 15 SETAs that will be re-certified with minor changes as part of the Government’s endeavour to prioritise steps towards better education and training for all – and within all economic sectors.

According to an announcement made by the Government and National Skills Authority (NSA) of South Africa in November 2009, the Electrical Contractors sub-sector within EWSATA will be transferred to the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and matters relating to the distribution of water will be transferred from the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA).

This makes perfect sense since electrical work (as opposed to electricity supply) is very much a part of the construction industry, and EWSATA has always been a skills development authority operating within both the energy and water sectors.

In any case, ESATA has been dealing with water issues for the past five years.

Apply now

EWSATA’s role to date

Like all SETAs that have been functioning in terms of the 1998 Skills Development and Skills Development Levies Acts since 2000, EWSATA has been focusing on its own particular sector, analysing and developing the appropriate qualifications and learning programmes that are needed by the sector.

These relate to everything from a short course option to much more complicated college courses and university degrees.

This is because the area of expertise covered by those working for or aiming to work within the electricity and energy sector is in part, highly specialised.

Up until now the relevant sub-sectors have been:

• electricity,
• nuclear power,
• renewable energy,
• electrical contracting which now becomes a sub-sector within the CETA because it is more relevant to construction, and
• water, which will now formally include water distribution, previously handled by the LGSETA.

While not all workers need to be highly qualified, there is a real need for well qualified and professional people.

By improving the general levels of education and training for this sector, the industry itself will be much better off.

As it is, the energy sector within South Africa is currently facing more challenges probably than any other economic sector.

For the past decade, since it was founded in 2000, this SETA’s targeted focus has been on:

• collecting information about skills development needs,
• identifying and developing training programmes and qualifications,
• partnering with the relevant stakeholders and groups interested and committed to the energy sector, and
• facilitating specific skills development to meet the needs of the sector.

EWSATA research

EWSATA has conducted significant research in the labour market in an endeavour to fulfil their Sector Skills Plan of action.

This research material has been benchmarked through a variety of Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Training Reports.

Based on this research, EWSATA is able to identify the needs of those in the sector who want to gain the necessary skills, education and training necessary for employment within the sector.

The information gathered by EWSATA has enabled them to facilitate the development and implementation of a variety of learning programmes including ABET programmes, skills programmes, apprenticeships, and learnerships (which in some ways are similar to apprenticeships).

Opportunities for learners

EWSATA is in a position to recommend learnerships and guide those already in the industry who want to further their education and training, as well as their skills.

These learners are urged to contact EWSATA to find out more about issues relating to the workplace experience, apprenticeships, discretionary grants and bursaries, as well as the most suitable – preferably accredited – college courses they can register for.

Where to find EWSATA

The Energy Sector Education and Training Authority is based in the centre of Johannesburg, Gauteng.Telephone:  (011) 689 5300 – Fax:  (011) 689 5343/5342Email:  reception@eseta.org.za – Website:  http://www.eseta.org.za

Apply now

Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority EWSETA 08/EWSETA/1/04/20

The valid Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes must be used for Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) purposes. The latest SIC Coding system can be found Here or at Statistic SA www.statssa.gov.za. The Code for ewsata is 8.