Enhancing Skills Development in Safety and Security Sectors - SASSETA's Revised Strategic Plan and Budget Overview

Portfolio Committee 2015 Safety and Security SETA Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan Portfolio Committee on Higher Education 29 April 2015 SASSETA - your partner in skills development

CONTENTS • Overview • Budget Programmes (as current) • Administration • Skills Implementation and Monitoring • Skills Planning, Research and Reporting • Financial Information • Report of the Administrator

OVERVIEW • The Strategic Plan and APP were reviewed during the mid-year • Review informed by the Departmental SLA • The review had considered organisational structure • SASSETA had introduced several new functions that needed to be aligned to the structure • Chief Operations Officer • Strategic Human Support • Governance, Risk and Compliance • Information Security Officer • The budget was also revised to align to the APP to ensure that the targets in the APP are financially support

BUDGET - REVENUE

BUDGET - EXPENDITURE

Programme 1: Skills Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Purpose : To develop a credible institutional mechanism for skills planning to provide reliable information on supply and demand for skills in the Safety and Security Sector

Programme 2: Skills Planning, Research, Monitoring and evaluation Programme Purpose : To develop a credible institutional mechanism for skills planning to provide reliable information on supply and demand for skills in the Safety and Security Sector

Programme 2: Skills Implementation Programme Purpose : Facilitation of the delivery of quality Learning Programmes, specifically targeting the scarce and critical skills within the sector. Identification of skills development provision challenges and addressed to ensure improved access to quality and relevant education and training in the sector including rural areas

Programme 2: Skills Implementation (Cont…) Programme Purpose : Facilitation of the delivery of quality Learning Programmes, specifically targeting the scarce and critical skills within the sector. Identification of skills development provision challenges and addressed to ensure improved access to quality and relevant education and training in the sector including rural areas

Programme 4.1: Office of the Chief Executive Officer Programme Purpose: To provide strategic direction and leadership to SASSETA with regard to implementation of strategic priorities in the Sector Skills Plan and Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan.

Programme 4.2: Office of the Chief Operating Officer Programme Purpose: To co-ordinate strategic planning implementation within SASSETA

Programme 4.3: Finance Programme Purpose: Design and implement financial controls that ensure good financial governance and financial viability of SASSETA

Programme 4.4: Corporate Services Programme Purpose: To provide effective and efficient corporate human capital, integrated marketing and communication and information technology administrative support to the entity.

SASSETA PLACED UNDER ADMINISTRATION • On 12 February 2015, SASSETA was placed under Administration (Government Gazette No 38466 12 February 2015). • The Minister and Director General took this decision based on the performance of SASSETA, irregularities identified, and non compliance with the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act 97, 1998) and other relevant legislation. • In terms of this notice Jennifer Irish- Qhobosheane was appointed as the Administrator for a period of 12 months • The powers and duties of the administrator are to: • Take over as the Accounting Authority • Establish the necessary chambers (with approval of Minister) • Review the conditions of employment of staff • Review general governance of SASSETA • Suspend, institute disciplinary procedures or replace (where necessary) any official • Consult widely with relevant stakeholders in order to adopt a standard constitution for SASSETA • Ensure management of SASSETA funds • Establish effective rules for the Body

KEY CHALLENGES & PROBLEMS FACING SASSETA • Since taking office, the Administrator reviewed a number of reports on SASSETA including, the AGSA ‘s Interim Audit Findings, National GTAC Team ‘s situational analysis, the Portfolio Committee BBR and reports by DHET. • Based on this, and the Administrators own analysis, the following key problem areas have been identified as needing to be addressed by the Administrator: • Inadequacies in the planning and reporting processes within SASSETA (including SSP, Strategic Planning and Annual Performance Planning ) • Issues regarding the overall performance of the body and ability to report on achievements • Problems regarding the general governance of the body • Lack of formal proper decision making processes (al well as documentation linked to this decision making) • Problems in the Budget structure. • Mismanagement of the Discretionary Fund and serious irregularities in a number of contracts entered into • Lack of effective contract management • Inadequacy of policy and procedures within the body and non adherence to those policies and procedures that exist

KEY CHALLENGES & PROBLEMS FACING SASSETA • Non compliance with the PFMA and other related National Treasury requirements • Lack of financial controls within the body which has resulted in serious over commitment of SASSETA by more than 264% (R300 million) • A culture of lack of accountability and impunity, as well as ethical issues • Irregularities in the appointment of staff within SASSETA • Lack data integrity, and absence of data management • Absence of Monitoring and Evaluation processes within the body • Lack of understanding of the security sector • Lack of risk management with the body • Serious backlogs in the issuing of certificates • Issues around the management of human resources • Ineffective stakeholder management • Serious security issues related to both physical security and information security

addressing the Problems • A revision of planning processes is currently taking place and the first phase will be completed by the end of May 2015 (the SSP process may take slightly longer to complete). • Based on the above proper performance policies and processes will also be in place by the end of May 2015. • The Budget programme structure is also being revised, and will be completed by the end of May 2015. • A role out plan is being developed to address decision making processes and procedures. • The commitment register is being revised, and a number of contracts have been cancelled. • A revised Discretionary Policy and processes for the awarding of Discretionary Funding is being developed, and will be completed by the end of April 2015.

addressing the Problems • Irregular expenditure processes have been established, and a number of contracts are currently under investigation. • Reformatting of the contracting documentation and processing is underway. • A complete overhaul of all other policies and procedures is underway • Financial controls and monitoring systems are being put in place. • A moratorium has been placed on the appointment of all non critical posts pending an investigation into appointments & a review of the organisational design and appointment procedures. • A Monitoring and Evaluation framework is being developed. (A plan will be developed and implemented linked to this framework). • A review of all IT and document management processes is currently being completed.

addressing the Problems • A turn around plan for the issuing of certificates has been developed and is being implemented. • A effective risk plan for SASSETA is being developed. • Engagements have been held with a variety of stakeholders. • Procedures have also been put in place to ensure that learner and student concerns are properly addressed. • A security assessment , including both the physical and information security, is being conducted. • The chamber establishment is being reviewed.

CONCLUSION • Given the current situation within SASSETA, an administration team has been appointed to assist the Administrators. This team includes; • A financial expert • A legal person • A technical expert on corporate affairs • A SETA expert • In addition, a National Treasury GTAC team has agreed to provide assistance to the Administrator on the following areas: • SCM policies and procedures • Planning and monitoring • Performance • IT expertise

CONCLUSION • It needs to be noted that during the first six weeks of the Administrators appointment, the bulk of the Administrators time was taken up dealing with crisis management due to the complete absence and collapse of processes within the body

Portfolio Committee 2015 Questions SASSETA 2015/16 Annual Performance Plan Thank you SASSETA - your partner in skills development

Enhancing Skills Development in Safety and Security Sectors - SASSETA's Revised Strategic Plan and Budget Overview