List of All SETAs in South Africa and What They Do in 2026

South Africa has 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), each responsible for supporting skills development in a particular economic sector. SETAs play an important role in programmes such as learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, workplace-based learning and other skills development initiatives. 

If you are looking for SETA learnerships, Internships, Apprenticeships, WIL opportunities or skills programmes in South Africa, understanding which SETA covers your career field can help you find relevant opportunities.

This guide provides a list of all 21 SETAs in South Africa in 2026 and explains what each one does.

Quick Overview

Information	Details
Topic	SETAs in South Africa
Total SETAs	21
Main purpose	Skills development within economic sectors
Key programmes	Learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, skills programmes and workplace-based learning
Legislation	Skills Development Act, 1998
Government department	Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
Target beneficiaries	Workers, unemployed people, learners, graduates and employers
Official directory	Department of Higher Education and Training

The South African government confirms that there are 21 SETAs operating across the country’s economic sectors. 

What Is a SETA?

SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority.

SETAs were established under the Skills Development Act, 1998, to support skills development within specific sectors of the South African economy.

Their responsibilities include developing sector skills plans, supporting learnerships, allocating skills-development funding and monitoring education and training within their sectors. 

SETAs work with employers, workers, training providers, government institutions and other stakeholders to address skills shortages and improve access to training.

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What Do SETAs Do?

Although each SETA focuses on a different industry, their responsibilities generally include:

• Developing sector skills plans
• Supporting learnerships
• Supporting internships and workplace-based learning
• Supporting apprenticeships and skills programmes
• Identifying skills shortages within their sectors
• Supporting employers with workplace skills development
• Allocating grants and other skills-development funding
• Supporting practical workplace experience
• Monitoring education and training in their sectors
• Supporting recognised occupational qualifications

SETAs also help connect education and training with the skills that employers need. 

List of All 21 SETAs in South Africa

1. AGRISETA – Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Agriculture

AGRISETA focuses on skills development within South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Its activities can cover areas such as:

• Agricultural production
• Farming
• Animal production
• Plant production
• Agricultural business
• Farm-related occupations
• Agricultural workplace skills

People interested in agricultural careers should monitor AGRISETA opportunities for learnerships, internships and other skills-development programmes.

2. BANKSETA – Banking Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Banking

BANKSETA focuses on skills development in the banking sector.

Opportunities may relate to areas such as:

• Banking
• Finance
• Financial services
• Administration
• Customer service
• Information technology
• Business and financial operations

BANKSETA can therefore be particularly relevant to graduates and young people interested in careers in banking and financial services.

3. CATHSSETA – Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Culture, arts, tourism, hospitality and sport

CATHSSETA supports skills development across several industries, including:

• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Travel
• Sport
• Arts and culture
• Recreation

The SETA supports skills development and learnerships designed to provide skills relevant to employers and communities in these industries. 

4. CETA – Construction Education and Training Authority

Sector: Construction

CETA focuses on skills development within the construction industry.

Career areas can include:

• Construction
• Building
• Civil engineering-related occupations
• Construction management
• Technical trades
• Infrastructure-related skills

People interested in construction learnerships and apprenticeships should monitor CETA-related opportunities.

5. CHIETA – Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority

Sector: Chemical industries

CHIETA focuses on skills development in South Africa’s chemical industries.

This can include areas such as:

• Chemical manufacturing
• Laboratory work
• Chemical processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Petroleum-related activities
• Paints and coatings
• Chemical operations

Applicants interested in technical and scientific careers may find relevant opportunities within this sector.

6. ETDP SETA – Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Education, training and development

ETDP SETA supports skills development in areas connected to:

• Education
• Training
• Early childhood development
• Adult education
• Learning and development
• Training practitioners
• Community education

The SETA also supports skills programmes relevant to the education and training environment.

7. EWSETA – Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Energy and water

EWSETA focuses on skills development within the energy and water sectors.

Relevant areas can include:

• Energy
• Electricity
• Water
• Wastewater
• Water treatment
• Technical operations
• Renewable energy

The energy and water sectors require a wide range of technical, engineering and operational skills.

The Department of Higher Education and Training lists EWSETA as the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority. 

8. FASSET – Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Financial and accounting services

FASSET focuses on skills development within financial and accounting services.

Relevant career areas can include:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Auditing
• Tax
• Financial management
• Business services
• Financial administration

Graduates with accounting, finance and related qualifications should consider monitoring FASSET programmes.

9. FoodBev SETA – Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Food and beverage manufacturing

FoodBev SETA supports skills development in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

This can include:

• Food manufacturing
• Beverage production
• Production operations
• Food technology
• Quality control
• Packaging
• Manufacturing processes

The sector can offer opportunities for people interested in manufacturing and production careers.

10. FP&M SETA – Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Fibre processing and manufacturing

FP&M SETA focuses on industries involving fibre processing and manufacturing.

Examples include:

• Clothing
• Textiles
• Forestry
• Furniture
• Footwear
• Pulp and paper
• Printing
• Manufacturing

The SETA supports skills development in these industries and can be relevant to people looking for manufacturing-related programmes.

11. HWSETA – Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Health and welfare

HWSETA focuses on skills development in the health and welfare sector.

Relevant areas can include:

• Healthcare
• Social services
• Community care
• Animal health
• Welfare services
• Health-related support occupations

Applicants interested in health and social-care careers should monitor relevant HWSETA programmes.

12. INSETA – Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Insurance

INSETA focuses on skills development within the insurance and related financial-services sector.

Career areas may include:

• Insurance
• Claims
• Underwriting
• Risk
• Customer service
• Financial services
• Insurance administration

Graduates and job seekers interested in insurance careers should monitor INSETA opportunities.

The South African government’s education and skills-development directory includes INSETA among the country’s 21 SETAs.

13. LGSETA – Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Local government

LGSETA supports skills development within South Africa’s local government sector.

This can involve areas such as:

• Municipal administration
• Local government
• Finance
• Human resources
• Community development
• Environmental management
• Municipal services

Its programmes can be relevant to people interested in working for municipalities and related organisations.

14. MERSETA – Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA

Sector: Manufacturing, engineering and related services

MERSETA covers a broad range of technical and manufacturing industries.

These include areas such as:

• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Automotive
• Metal
• Plastics
• Mechanical engineering-related trades
• Electrical and technical occupations

MERSETA is particularly important for people interested in artisan training, apprenticeships, engineering and manufacturing careers.

15. MICT SETA – Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Media, advertising, information and communication technologies

MICT SETA focuses on skills development in:

• Information technology
• Telecommunications
• Media
• Advertising
• Digital technologies
• Software and technology-related occupations

This makes MICT SETA an important organisation to follow for people interested in IT learnerships, internships and digital careers.

16. MQA – Mining Qualifications Authority

Sector: Mining and minerals

The Mining Qualifications Authority focuses on skills development within South Africa’s mining and minerals sector.

Relevant areas can include:

• Mining
• Engineering
• Mining-related technical occupations
• Mineral processing
• Health and safety
• Artisan development

People interested in mining learnerships, apprenticeships and technical training should monitor MQA opportunities.

17. PSETA – Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Public service

PSETA focuses on skills development within the public service environment.

This can include areas such as:

• Public administration
• Government administration
• Human resources
• Finance
• Public management
• Policy and administration

PSETA is particularly relevant to people interested in public-sector careers and skills development.

18. SASSETA – Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Safety and security

SASSETA supports skills development within the safety and security sector.

Relevant areas can include:

• Security
• Policing-related skills
• Corrections
• Legal services
• Investigation
• Emergency and safety-related occupations

People interested in security and related careers should monitor SASSETA-supported programmes.

19. Services SETA – Services Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Services

Services SETA covers a broad range of service-related industries.

Programmes can relate to areas such as:

• Business services
• Administration
• Customer service
• Sales
• Cleaning and related services
• Management
• Entrepreneurship

Because the services sector is broad, there can be a wide range of skills-development opportunities.

20. TETA – Transport Education and Training Authority

Sector: Transport

TETA focuses on skills development in the transport sector.

Relevant areas can include:

• Road transport
• Freight
• Logistics
• Maritime
• Rail-related activities
• Transport operations
• Professional driving

TETA has also supported programmes such as professional driving skills development. 

21. W&RSETA – Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority

Sector: Wholesale and retail

W&RSETA supports skills development within the wholesale and retail industry.

Career areas can include:

• Retail
• Wholesale
• Sales
• Customer service
• Merchandising
• Store operations
• Retail management
• Distribution

This SETA is particularly relevant to people looking for retail learnerships and entry-level opportunities.

Which SETA Should You Apply To?

There is no single “best” SETA.

The most relevant SETA depends on the industry and career you want to enter.

For example:

Career Interest	Relevant SETA
Agriculture	AGRISETA
Banking	BANKSETA
Tourism	CATHSSETA
Construction	CETA
Chemical industries	CHIETA
Education and training	ETDP SETA
Energy and water	EWSETA
Accounting and finance	FASSET
Food manufacturing	FoodBev SETA
Textiles and furniture	FP&M SETA
Healthcare and welfare	HWSETA
Insurance	INSETA
Municipal careers	LGSETA
Engineering and manufacturing	MERSETA
IT and ICT	MICT SETA
Mining	MQA
Public service	PSETA
Safety and security	SASSETA
Services	Services SETA
Transport and logistics	TETA
Retail and wholesale	W&RSETA

The official government directory lists the 21 SETAs and identifies the sectors they serve. 

Do SETAs Offer Learnerships?

Yes. Supporting and promoting learnerships is an important part of the SETA system.

SETAs can help identify workplace opportunities, support learning materials, facilitate learnership agreements and register learnerships. 

However, this does not mean that every SETA continuously has applications open.

Learnership opportunities may be advertised by:

• SETAs
• Companies
• Government departments
• Training providers
• Other organisations working with SETAs

Therefore, job seekers should check both SETA websites and employer career pages.

Do SETAs Offer Internships?

SETAs can support workplace-based learning and internships as part of the broader skills-development system.

The exact eligibility requirements depend on the programme.

Some opportunities may target:

• Unemployed graduates
• TVET students
• University students
• Young people
• People requiring workplace experience

Always check the individual programme advertisement before applying.

Do SETAs Offer Apprenticeships?

Some SETAs support technical training and apprenticeship-related programmes, depending on their sectors.

These opportunities can be particularly important for people interested in artisan and technical careers.

For example, sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, transport and energy have significant technical skills requirements.

How Are SETAs Funded?

SETAs receive funding through the skills-development levy system and other permitted sources.

The skills-development framework allows SETAs to allocate funding and grants to support skills development within their sectors. 

Government explains that SETAs derive a substantial portion of their revenue from the skills development levy collected from employers.

This funding can support skills-development initiatives involving employers, training providers and learners.

Are SETAs Free to Join?

You generally do not need to pay a SETA simply to search for or apply for a learnership.

If someone asks you for money in exchange for securing a SETA learnership, internship or job, be cautious.

Always verify the opportunity through the official SETA or employer website.

How to Find SETA Opportunities in 2026

If you are searching for opportunities, start by identifying the SETA associated with your desired career.

For example:

Want an IT career?

Look at MICT SETA opportunities.

Want a mining career?

Look at MQA opportunities.

Want a retail career?

Look at W&RSETA opportunities.

Want an engineering career?

Look at MERSETA and other relevant technical-sector opportunities.

Want a banking career?

Look at BANKSETA opportunities.

You should also search for opportunities using terms such as:

• SETA learnerships 2026
• SETA internships 2026
• SETA apprenticeships 2026
• SETA WIL programmes 2026
• SETA-funded programmes 2026
• [SETA name] learnerships 2026
• [SETA name] internships 2026

Important Information for Applicants

A SETA is not the same as an employer.

A SETA may support a programme, but the actual workplace, training provider or employer involved can be a different organisation.

Applicants should therefore check:

• Who is offering the programme
• Which SETA is involved
• The qualification being offered
• The workplace location
• Eligibility requirements
• Stipend, if applicable
• Duration
• Closing date
• Official application method

Do not assume that every programme associated with a SETA has the same requirements or stipend.

How to Avoid SETA Scams

Job seekers should be particularly careful when applying for learnerships and other skills-development programmes.

Remember:

• Do not pay someone to guarantee acceptance.
• Do not provide your banking PIN.
• Verify suspicious advertisements.
• Check the official employer or SETA website.
• Use official application platforms whenever possible.
• Be cautious of WhatsApp messages promising guaranteed jobs.
• Never assume an advertisement is genuine simply because it uses a SETA’s name.

The safest approach is to verify the opportunity with the organisation responsible for the programme before submitting sensitive personal information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many SETAs are there in South Africa?

South Africa has 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities. 

What is the main purpose of a SETA?

SETAs are responsible for supporting skills development within specific economic sectors. Their functions include sector skills planning, supporting learnerships, allocating skills-development funding and monitoring education and training.

Which SETA is for IT?

MICT SETA is the SETA covering media, advertising, information and communication technologies.

Which SETA is for mining?

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is responsible for skills development in the mining and minerals sector.

Which SETA is for retail?

The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) covers the wholesale and retail sector.

Which SETA is for banking?

BANKSETA is the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority.

Which SETA is for construction?

CETA, the Construction Education and Training Authority, covers the construction sector.

Can unemployed people benefit from SETA programmes?

Yes. SETA-supported skills-development programmes can include opportunities for unemployed people, although eligibility depends on the individual programme. Government describes SETAs as part of the post-school system supporting access to learning and skills development. 

Do all SETA programmes pay a stipend?

No. Stipends and allowances vary by programme. Applicants should check the official advertisement rather than assuming that a particular SETA always pays a specific amount.

Where can I find the official list of SETAs?

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) publishes an official directory containing the SETAs and their contact information. 

Final Thoughts

The 21 SETAs in South Africa play an important role in developing skills across different industries.

For unemployed youth, students, graduates, TVET learners and people looking to change careers, understanding the SETA system can make it easier to identify relevant learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, WIL programmes and other training opportunities.

The best approach is to first identify the sector you want to work in and then find the SETA responsible for that sector.

Always verify current opportunities through the official SETA, employer or government source before applying.

For the latest official SETA information, applicants can consult the Department of Higher Education and Training’s SETA directory.