THANK YOU TO ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS FOR A 100% PERFORMANCE AND AN UNQUALIFIED AUDIT REPORT
The W&RSETA and its stakeholders celebrated the SETA’s 100% performance and unqualified audit report at the Annual General Meeting in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday evening. This is the W&RSETA’s second successive unqualified audit report from the Auditor-General South Africa and a historic 100% performance achievement. Stakeholders also adopted the W&RSETA 2025/26 Annual Report and 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan.
Thank you to all our stakeholders for being part of the skills revolution in the Wholesale and Retail Sector.
Click here for the 2025/26 Annual Report and AGM presentation
CALL FOR APPLICATION – VOCATIONAL SKILLS PROGRAMMES: RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
W&RSETA Stakeholder are invited to apply for the funding window to train 510 unemployed people from rural areas on the Work Readiness Programme and Vocational/Hands-On Skills Programmes, including entrepreneurship development.
Closing Date: 25 October 2026
Click here for the advert and application form
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – 2026/27 HAIRDRESSING ARTISANAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The W&RSETA is inviting applications from stakeholders and strategic partners for the 2026/2027 Hairdressing Artisanal Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The programme aimed at enhancing artisanal development in the hairdressing sector to ensure sustainability and growth of small businesses in line with the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030.
Closing Date: 25 October 2026
Click here for the advert and rollout plan
W&RSETA WHOLESAY NEWSLETTER
The W&RSETA’s second edition of the WholeSay newsletter for 2026/27 is now out.
This edition features the historic handover of business containers from our Cell Phone Repairs Containers programme, an update on the Infrastructure Support Project at Letaba TVET College, graduation celebrations, and advocacy campaigns. We also highlight the CEO's Stakeholder Connect Programme which is almost at its conclusion as well as insights from the ILDP cohorts through their ALP presentations.
In celebration of the 2026 Women’s Month, we have highlighted some inspiring stories from beneficiaries of the W&RSETA programmes.
Click here for the newsletter
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN - 2026 INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (ILDP)
The W&RSETA is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 2027 ILDP & IEDP. The programme will be implemented as a retail-customised programme on NQF level 8. Nominations of senior and executive leaders from the W&RSETA registered companies for this high impact senior and executive development programme will be open until 06 November 2026.
Click here for the advert with application links and programme overview
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 RETAIL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ARE OPEN
The W&RSETA is now accepting applications from nominated middle managers, supervisors and team leaders for the 2027 Retail Management Development Programme (RMDP). The programme equips middle managers with skills for operational excellence and prepares them for the next level of management. The RMDP programme will be offered as NQF level 6 and 7 qualifications.
Applications close on 04 November 2026.
Click here for the advert and relevant links
STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRE-2009 QUALIFICATIONS
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.
INVITATION - 2026 W&RSETA RESEARCH CONFERENCE
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
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
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
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.