HWSETA

The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) is one of 21 Sector Education Training Authorities (SETA) established under the Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998. HWSETA is a key role in transforming the South African economy by empowering workers to be agents of change within their subsectors. The HWSETA impact statement aims to improve the skills of 80% of the workforce in the health and welfare sector by 2030, resulting in higher productivity and career progression. 

Mthente conducted a track and tracer study to assess employed learner pathways and the outcomes of HWSETA-funded learning programs against the strategic intent of 2020-2025, contributing to the improvement of skills for 50% of the South African workforce. 

The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) forms one of 21 Sector Education Training Authorities (SETA) established through the Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998 section 10 (1) (a). SETAs are statutory bodies mandated to facilitate skills development in their respective sectors through education, training and skills development interventions. HWSETA is privileged to undertake this mandate which originates from the demands of the organised labour movement during the anti-Apartheid struggle. This makes it clear that transformation is embedded in the founding of the SETAs. 

Ultimately, HWSETA plays a key role in transforming the South African economy by empowering workers to be agents of change within their respective subsectors. A tracer study is a small component within this bigger picture. Furthermore, HWSETA supports unemployed and employed workers in the health and welfare sector which is critical to social and economic development in South Africa. 

HWSETA impact statement (Impact Statement 3) is geared towards ‘HWSETA contributing to the improved level of skills for 80% of the workforce within the health and welfare sector by 2030, which is evidenced by higher productivity of employers, and/or career progression either through promotion within the same organisation or appointment in a higher position or appointment in a higher position by another organisation’. 

Against this backdrop, Mthente undertook a track and tracer study to assess employed learner pathways upon completing the HWSETA-funded programmes. Also, the study assessed the outcome of HWSETA-funded learning programmes against HWSETA intended targets strategic intent (i.e., 2020-2025)  contributing to the improvement of the level of skills for 50% of the South African workforce through various learning programmes that address the critical skills required by the sector.