SDF Training & Support Services
Afri Training Institute’s (ATI) Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) Training & Support Services are designed to empower your organisation’s registered SDF with the strategic support and competencies they need to ensure that your skills development initiatives are fully compliant with national standards and B-BBEE requirements.
At the same time, we provide on-the-job guidance to ensure your efforts seamlessly align employee learning with your company’s strategic objectives and improve the likelihood of receiving discretionary SETA grants if these are part of your strategy.
Our team of experts stays on top of changing legislation so that we can help your SDF:
- Maximise your B-BBEE Skills Development score.
- Ensure compliance with legislative and sector requirements.
- Maximise your Mandatory and Discretionary Grant applications.
- Build a future-ready workforce equipped for growth.
- Improve productivity and staff retention through targeted upskilling.
By partnering with us, you gain guidance on how to comply with legislation as it changes and improve your grant applications. Your SDF gains the knowledge and skills that enables them to deliver measurable results and long-term business impact – making the most of your skills development levies and workforce skills development initiatives.
Our Approach
Our approach is hands-on. We don’t simply facilitate SDF Training workshops – we work closely with your team to build and apply knowledge on the job and learn practical skills through coaching and mentorship.
Through our SDF Training & Support Services, we:
- Up-skill and mentor your SDF/s, ensuring they are equipped to manage your skills development initiatives effectively.
- Train your skills committee members to build a knowledgeable and proactive team.
- Identify skill gaps and implement targeted interventions to address both current and future needs.
- Collaborate on skills planning to meet your organisational objectives.
- Ensure compliance with skills development and employment equity legislation, avoiding penalties and unlocking growth opportunities.
Comprehensive SDF Support Services
Our services cover every aspect of skills development:
- Skills Audit: Assess current employee capabilities and identify areas for improvement.
- Employment Equity Plan and Reporting: Integrate skills development into your EE strategy.
- Workplace Skills Plan (WSP): Develop a strategic roadmap for employee training.
- Annual Training Report (ATR): Accurately report on completed training initiatives.
- PIVOTAL Planning and Reporting: Focus on Professional, Vocational, Technical, and Academic Learning (PIVOTAL) skills critical to your industry.
- Linking Skills to B-BBEE Objectives: Align skills development with your BEE goals for maximum impact.
- Discretionary Grant Applications: Assist in securing grants to fund skills development initiatives.
- QCTO Accreditation Applications: Guide you through the process of obtaining accreditation with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a designated SDF?
In South African labour and education, an SDF – or Skills Development Facilitator – is an appointed professional who manages an organisation’s training plans and compliance with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
Our company doesn’t have an SDF. Should we appoint one?
Employers with an annual payroll exceeding R500 000 are required to pay a Skills Development Levy (SDL) and are legally required to have an appointed SDF. An SDF doesn’t have to be a full-time position. Companies can appoint an existing HR or training employee as an Internal SDF or contract an external professional like ATI as an External SDF.
What is a discretionary grant?
Almost half of each SETA’s levy income is allocated to discretionary grants for employers to fund specific training projects, especially learnerships, internships, and bursaries. Discretionary grants are competitive and not guaranteed. These grants prioritise programmes that address national, provincial, or sector-specific “scarce and critical skills”. Contact us to find out how to qualify and apply for discretionary grants.
What is the purpose of a Skills Development Committee? Does my company need one?
A Skills Development Committee (SDC) is a forum made up of employees that collaborates with management to identify organisational training needs, draft the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP), and ensure training programmes are implemented successfully and aligned with the company’s strategic goals. South Africa’s Skills Development Act requires organisations to establish an SDC if they have 50 or more employees OR have a recognition agreement with trade unions regardless of exact headcount. If your company intends to apply for SETA Funding, even if it has fewer than 50 employees, you must have a functioning SDC.
What is PIVOTAL reporting?
PIVOTAL stands for Professional, Vocational, Technical, and Academic Learning programmes. Under South Africa’s Skills Development Act regulations, employers must submit specific PIVOTAL Training Plans and PIVOTAL Training Reports as part of their annual SETA submissions. PIVOTAL reports are linked to a company’s SETA discretionary grant applications and B-BBEE scorecard compliance.
Who would benefit from SDF Training & Support Services?
Newly appointed Skills Development Facilitators, or Skills Development Facilitators in need of a refresher on changing legislation.
Learning and Development professionals who support SDFs in planning, delivering, and reporting on skills development initiatives.
HR Business Partners who provide guidance and support to line managers and business leaders on skills development and training decisions for their teams.
Talent Management professionals who design, implement and measure learning initiatives intended to build internal talent pipelines.
HR administrators and coordinators who support SDFs in compiling and submitting compliance documentation such as Workplace Skills Plans, EE Reports, B-BBEE Skills Development Submissions or PIVOTAL Reports.
Why Choose ATI?
With years of accredited training expertise, ATI ensures your skills development initiatives are not only impactful but also fully compliant with national standards and B-BBEE requirements. Our tailored programmes align with your organisational strategy, helping you upskill staff, strengthen leadership, and close critical skills gaps. Our teams stay on top of changing legislation to ensure you don’t miss an opportunity to maximise your compliance efforts for greater business benefit.