The financial year-end is looming and, with just weeks to go, businesses must ensure that all Skills Development (SD) measures are in place to maximise their B-BBEE scorecard points.
SD is one of the most critical scorecard elements, contributing at least 25 points. However, achieving its targets can be difficult, thanks to hurdles like a lack of time, resources, or knowledge. And missing key incentives can cost your business more than you realise.
To help you boost your SD score and get the best ROI from your L&D investment, SA Business School shares three powerful strategies you can implement before year-end.
1. Tap Into Employed Learnerships
Did you know that you can earn points from learnerships for your existing staff? That’s right, the very people who are already on your payroll. Upskilling your employees allows you to claim back a portion of your SD Levy, while benefiting from tax incentives.
Work-based learning programmes for employees can lead to nationally recognised qualifications, helping you address skills gaps, enhance performance and retain talent.
How to Implement:
- Register a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) and submit a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) to your Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
- Choose a reputable training provider that offers the right learning programmes.
- Ensure the learnership is registered with your SETA, aligns with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and is supervised by a mentor or coach.
- Learners must have an employment contract and receive a stipend or allowance in addition to their salary.
2. Align Training with the Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO)
The OFO is a classification tool that helps to identify scarce and critical skills in your sector – and ensures that your training investments are relevant and impactful.
How to Use the OFO:
- Match job titles with listed occupations and codes.
- Select corresponding learning programmes that meet industry needs.
- Plan training strategically to maximise scorecard benefits and business growth.
3. Partner with the Right Training Provider
It is crucial to choose a training partner that aligns with your business and human capital needs. The right training provider will be committed to ensuring your training is:
- Academically rigorous
- Practically relevant
- Quality assured
Your Training Provider Should Assist With:
- Conducting skills audits and gap analyses
- Developing a skills strategy and plan
- Offering short courses, skills programmes, and learnerships
- Providing online, face-to-face, or blended learning options
- Assessing and certifying learning outcomes
- Reporting and evaluating training impacts
The Benefits of Getting Your SD Strategy in Order
Getting your SD in order in therun-up to year-end means ticking all-important boxes like:
- I identified skills gaps and training needs.
- I planned and budgeted for training interventions.
- I claimed 100% of the training cost as SD expenditure (because the training aligned with the NQF and Skills Development Act).
- I claimed bonus points for training previously disadvantaged individuals, women, and people with disabilities, as well as scarce or critical skills development.
- I claimed additional points for training that resulted in a qualification or unit standard, or formed part of a learnership or internship.
- I claimed 20% of my Skills Development Levy back from my SETA (because I submitted my workplace skills plan (WSP) and annual training report (ATR) in time).
- I claimed bonus points for employing unemployed learners who completed a learnership.
The Bottom Line: SD can be a Game-Changer
Skills Development is more than just a compliance requirement. It’s a strategic investment that boosts your B-BBEE rating, maximises ROI, and builds a skilled, competitive workforce.
Important Dates:
Online WSP Submission Window: Opens 15 February 2025, Closes 30 April 2025
Don’t leave SD to the last minute. Take action now and secure your business’s future.
Talk to SA Business School
Chane Deneys – chaned@alefbetlearning.com
Aliecia van Rensburg – alieciar@alefbetlearning.com
