Welcome to W&RSETA

The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) was established in 2000 in terms of the Skills Development Act (as amended). The public entity aims to facilitate the skills development needs of the Wholesale and Retail (W&R) Sector through the implementation of learning programmes, disbursement of grants and monitoring of education and training as outlined in the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP).

SETAs are entities of the Department of Higher Education and Training. There are 21 SETAs; each servicing a specific economic sector of the Country.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

08 Sep

The W&RSETA invites its constituent business and labour organisations; and stakeholder companies, institutions of learning and skills development partners to the 2026 Annual General Meeting.

14 October 2025 | Durban (TBC) | Virtual

Click here for the notice  

STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRE-2009 QUALIFICATIONS

17 Jul

The W&RSETA informs its stakeholders of the implementation and transitional arrangements for pre-2009 qualifications, traders and Regulatory Unit Standards following the directive issued by the Minister of Higher Education and Training in Government Gazette No. 54858.

Click here for the notice.

W&RSETA WHOLESAY NEWSLETTER

08 Jul

The W&RSETA’s first edition of the 2026/27 WholeSay newsletter is now available.

This edition features updates from the CEO’s stakeholder engagements, the inaugural W&RSETA Youth Engagement, SSP consultations, among other activities. The newsletter also includes successes from the ILDP and advocacy campaigns.

Click here for the newsletter

INVITATION - 2026 W&RSETA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

02 Jul

The W&RSETA invites its stakeholders and partners (researchers and academics, policymakers and institutions of learning) to its second biennial Research Conference. The conference will create a platform for innovative research showcase and inspiring discussions that contribute to meaningful dialogue and gain valuable insights that will shape the future of skills and drive transformation in the Wholesale and Retail Sector.

Click here for more details

CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS - 2026 W&RSETA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

17 Jun

The W&RSETA invites academics, researchers, industry professionals, and practitioners to submit papers for the 2026 W&RSETA Research Conference. Experts and decision-makers will converge to explore emerging trends, innovative practices, and workforce transformation in the Wholesale and Retail Sector. Submissions should provide evidence-based insights, practical implications, or policy guidance aligned with the conference theme “Wholesale and Retail Re-imagined: Next Generation Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship”

Click here for the notice

STAKEHOLDER NOTICE - CALL FOR EMPLOYER INPUT: PROPOSED WSP/ATR (ESS) TOOL

01 Jun

The W&RSETA is inviting its stakeholder employers to provide input on the proposed Employer Skills Survey (ESS) that the Department of Higher Education and Training plans to introduce. The ESS aims to diagnose the critical skills mismatches between the education system and labour market needs as part of the WSP/ATR process to guide SETA funding for responsive training interventions, apprenticeship expansion, and transformation.

Click here for the ESS tool.

STAKEHOLDER UPDATE: OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR W&RSETA RFQs AND TENDERS

13 May

The W&RSETA would like to alert all current and prospective service providers regarding fraudulent communications related to Request for Quotations (RFQs) and tenders. Kindly note that the W&RSETA does not send correspondences for tenders and RFQs via WhatsApp or any other digital communication except for official emails ending with @wrseta.org.za.

Click here for the notice.