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2021/22 Sector Skills Plan Feedback

ollowing the consultations in June and July on the 2021/22 Sector Skills Plan (SSP) update, we are pleased to report that the SSP was
Fsubmitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on 30 July 2021. This submission is in line with the mandate
of the W&RSETA and in line with DHET requirements. The process was done through broader stakeholder consultation and sector
research which included provincial engagements, interviews and online surveys. As part of the process, data from Workplace Skills
Planning (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) submissions has been checked and validated to ensure its integrity while continuous
stakeholder engagement will ensure a developmental approach towards skills planning for the sector.

While stakeholder attendance of the engagement sessions was good with a marked improvement in small provinces, there is room for
improvement in all provinces to ensure that the SSP reflects the needs of the sector. Consultation was done with all wholesale and retail
sub-sectors as well as with industry associations, training providers and worker unions.

Some of the key outcomes and trends of these sessions that we would like to share with you including the following:

Impact of change drivers

COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 has had a negative impact on all businesses within the Wholesale and Retail sector.
“COVID-19 has seriously affected our business, mostly due to the impact on the economy, with less money available to consumers
due to high unemployment and very tight budgets” – Employer

Hard-to-Fill-Vacancies (HTFVs)

• ICT related occupations are a current and future need.
• Retail buyers have also emerged as a HTFV across provinces.
• There is a need for clear distinction between HTFVs and High Turn-Over occupations.

Training

• Blended learning is a key solution to challenges of the current times.
• 89% of workplaces have not been capacitated to understand and implement blended learning.
• Lack of adequate resources is a constraint to access blended learning for people living with a disabilities, posing a risk of
exclusion.
• Communities of Practice (CoP) on blended learning across the sector to be established to encourage partnerships and sharing
of best practice.

New trends identified in the research for the SSP for 2021/22:

• Simplified Discretionary and Mandatory Grants process is needed to promote access.
• The W&RSETA Discretionary Grants for in-house training programmes assisted businesses.
• Graduate Placements are key to ensuring a sustainable workforce and economy.
• Rural areas and townships require concerted business support and development.
• For small businesses access to market is a challenge that limits business growth.
• With regards to transformation, language barriers are an issue, especially in the rural areas.
• There is a need for increased interventions on entrepreneurship development and support.
• Retail buyers and planners appear to be in short supply.
• Major skills gaps included management skills, ICT skills and leadership skills.
• Hardware and pharmaceutical sub-sectors have significantly benefited from the impact of COVID-19 through increased revenue
and sales. The pandemic has also led to e-commerce growth and opportunities.
• Capacity building on the Protection of Personal Information Act is required.

Moving forward
Recommendations from the sector will be aligned to the W&RSETA’s strategic operational practicalities as well as Economic Reconstruction
and Recovery Plan (ERRP) focus areas. The W&RSETA will also engage stakeholders on its strategic priorities throughout the year to
ensure that the SETA responds to the evolving needs of the sector. A draft Provincial Skills Plan is expected by the end of August 2021
with a draft Priority Skills Plan, expected at the end of October 2021. Additionally, summative research will be published so, keep
watching this space, in WholeSay, for all the latest news and developments.

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W&RSETA | August 2021 Issue