Articles
Skills Development Facilitators - SDF
Skills development is a key component of the national strategy to improve the quality and quantity of human capital in South Africa. Skills development aims to provide people with the knowledge, skills and competencies that they need to participate in the economy and society, and to enhance their employability and productivity.
One of the roles that supports skills development in the workplace is that of a skills development facilitator (SDF). An SDF is a person who assists organisations with planning, implementing and reporting on their skills development activities. An SDF can work as an internal employee of an organisation, or as an external consultant or service provider.
What are the functions of an SDF?
An SDF performs various functions related to skills development, such as:
- Conducting a skills audit or analysis to identify the current and future skills needs of the organisation and its employees
- Developing a workplace skills plan (WSP) that outlines the training and development objectives, programmes and budget of the organisation for a specific period
- Submitting the WSP and an annual training report (ATR) to the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for approval and funding
- Liaising with the SETA on matters related to skills development, such as learnerships, apprenticeships, grants, quality assurance and accreditation
- Advising the organisation on how to access and utilise the skills development levy (SDL) and other tax incentives for skills development
- Coordinating and facilitating the implementation of the WSP and the ATR, including sourcing and managing training providers, assessing and moderating learning outcomes, and evaluating the impact of training
- Establishing and supporting a skills development committee or forum within the organisation that represents the interests of management, employees, unions and other stakeholders
- Promoting a culture of learning and development within the organisation and creating awareness of skills development opportunities among employees
- Keeping up to date with the latest developments and trends in skills development legislation, policy and practice
What are the benefits of having an SDF?
Having an SDF can have several benefits for an organisation and its employees, such as:
- Improving the alignment of skills development with the strategic goals and objectives of the organisation
- Enhancing the quality and relevance of training and development programmes for employees
- Maximising the return on investment in skills development by accessing available funding and incentives from SETAs and SARS
- Increasing the compliance with skills development legislation and regulations, such as the Skills Development Act, the Skills Development Levies Act, and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act
- Boosting the productivity, performance and morale of employees by providing them with opportunities for learning and career advancement
- Contributing to social responsibility and transformation by supporting skills development initiatives for unemployed people and communities
How do you become an SDF?
To become an SDF, you need to have:
- A relevant qualification or certification in skills development facilitation or a related field
- Knowledge of skills development legislation, policy and practice in South Africa
- Experience in conducting skills audits or analyses, developing WSPs and ATRs, liaising with SETAs, coordinating and facilitating training programmes, assessing and moderating learning outcomes, evaluating training impact, etc.
- Skills in communication, problem-solving, research, planning, project management, administration, etc.