Discretionary Grant Guidelines for:
Bursaries, Internships, Workplace Experience and Apprenticeships (B. I. W. A)
1. Purpose
This document outlines AgriSETA’s guidelines/procedures with regards to the allocation and payment of Discretionary Grants for BURSARIES, APPRENTICESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS AND WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE in accordance with the Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998, the Skills Development Levies Act No.9 of 1999, and related Regulations and Notices as well as the Service Level Agreement between AgriSETA and the Department of Labour.
The AgriSETA agree to enter into a contract whereby AgriSETA would fully or partially sponsor the beneficiary for a particular learning programme. The purpose of this document is to record the terms and procedures applicable to the financial support agreement.
2. Definitions:
BURSARIES: a Programme for learners that require tuition (full-time, part-time or correspondence) at a College, University of Technology or University for a certain period of time in order to achieve a formal qualification e.g. Certificate (College), Diploma/ Degree (University of Technology), Degree or Post-Degree (University).
INTERNSHIP: a Programme for learners who require work experience in order to complete a diploma or degree that requires the person to have a certain amount of work experience in order to achieve the qualification and/or professional registration.
WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: a Programme for unemployed learners who have concluded their studies successfully in a defined scarce and critical skill for the Agri sector and which are listed in the scarce and critical skills guide and who then needs workplace exposure in order to improve their employment opportunities.
APPRENTICESHIP: A Programme for learners who wish to engage in a formal learning programme to attain artisan status.
CONCERNED TERTIARY INSTITUTION: An education provider that is providing educational services to the recipient/ stakeholder.
AgriSETA: The funding body (Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority) that will provide funding and award financial support to recipients/ stakeholders.
3. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION
3.1 Applications from stakeholders within the AgriSETA demarcation may be entertained under this policy.
3.2 Applications for financial support will be considered in accordance with the AgriSETA critical and scarce skills as recorded in the sector skills plan and its annual update.
3.3 This guideline supports the principles of the National Skills Development Strategy 2005 – 2010.
3.4 Only financial support applications for bursaries and apprenticeships through Accredited Learning Providers/Institutions will be considered.
3.5 Each financial support application (to be considered) must be accompanied by a stakeholder Motivation – see Discretionary Grant for B.I.W.A Interest for Participation Form
3.6 Double funding is not permitted i.e. this financial support may not supplement a bursary or similar funding provided to the beneficiary from another source.
3.7 All applications must have a relevance to and be applicable within/contribute towards the Agri sector.
3.8 The financial support will be paid by AgriSETA to stakeholders, at the discretion of AgriSETA, and provided that all relevant documents are submitted by the Stakeholder.
3.9 The financial support will be allocated by AgriSETA depending on the availability of funds.
3.10 The stakeholder will manage the Discretionary Grant administratively, and will have a contractual agreement with AgriSETA, in this regard. See Discretionary Grant for B.I.W.A Agreement
3.11 Selection criteria may include academic merit, promise of research ability, the likelihood that the candidate will successfully complete their studies, the likelihood of employment (motivation from Stakeholder) of the candidate after studies/ support within the Agri Sector.
3.12 Preference will be given to applicants currently in the employment of AgriSETA stakeholder enterprises.
3.13 Applicants must be South African citizens
3.14 Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the respective tertiary institution and/or stakeholder enterprises.
3.15 Applicants must be prepared to undergo an interview, if required by the tertiary institution/ stakeholder enterprises.
3.16 Applicants must have the ability to communicate (verbally and written) in English.
3.17 Preference may be given to candidates who have already passed their first or previous year of studies.
3.18 Preference will be given to candidates from previously disadvantaged communities (African, Coloured, Asian) and/or belonging to designated groups (women and disabled persons)
3.19 AgriSETA will not pay or transfer any funds directly to the beneficiary
In the case of Bursaries,
3.20 the award of financial support will be based on proven previous academic performance.
3.21 Should the beneficiary of the financial support fail in a particular academic year for which he/she has received the financial support, the financial support will not be granted for the year being repeated.
In the case of workplace experience and internships stakeholders/recipients would also be require to:
3.22 Have written endorsement of completion of the theoretical component of their qualification from their academic institution
3.23 On completion, present a portfolio of evidence of practical work done, as required by the Academic Institution and /or AgriSETA.
3.24 The stakeholder enterprise undertakes to provide the beneficiary with the necessary support and mentoring as required for workplace experience and internships.
4. FUNDING GUIDELINES
4.1.1 Requirements for bursaries, internship and workplace learning:
4.1.1.1 In the case of bursary applications, funding is intended to contribute towards actual cost but limited to the maximum of R30 000-00 ( VAT including, if applicable) per learner per year.
4.1.1.2 In the case of internships and workplace experience, application for funding is intended to contribute towards stipends or salaries only, at actual cost but limited to the maximum of R30 000-00 (no VAT applicable) per learner per year.
4.1.1.3 The financial support will be given for a maximum period of 1 year per learner with no further obligation by AgriSETA to continue financial assistance for the further studies of that learner. Stakeholders would have to apply, on behalf of learners, for funding annually.
4.1.1.4 Stakeholders will need to sign relevant funding agreements with AgriSETA and provide all relevant supporting information as per payment tranches.
4.1.1.5 Stakeholders are responsible to draw up there own contractual arrangement with the beneficiary.
4.1.2 Payment Tranches for Bursaries
1st Tranche: An initial amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ A stakeholder Invoice
§ A duly signed agreement between the stakeholder and AgriSETA
§ Copy of beneficiary ID documents
§ Beneficiary information sheet (Annexure B of the Agreement),
2nd Tranche: The remaining amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ A stakeholder Invoice accompany by the account statement of the tertiary Institution
§ Proof of registration at tertiary institution,
§ A statement of results of the beneficiary
4.1.3 Payment Tranches for Internships and workplace experience
1st Tranche: An initial amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ A stakeholder Invoice
§ A duly signed agreement between the stakeholder and AgriSETA
§ Copy of beneficiary ID documents
§ Beneficiary Information Sheet (Annexure B of the Agreement),
§ Plan schedule of learner exposure
2nd Tranche: The remaining amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ A stakeholder Invoice
§ A Mid terms Progress Report on the beneficiary (in the case of internships this report can be as per report submitted to the relevant tertiary institution)
NOTE: Should the beneficiary terminate his/her studies, internship or work experience training in the first semester, the stakeholder enterprise will forfeit the second tranche.
4.2.1 Requirements for Apprenticeships
4.2.1.1 In the case of Apprenticeships, application for funding is towards training cost, academic supplies (books, tools and equipment associated with the programme/course) and accommodation to the maximum of
Employed - R15 000 (plus VAT, if applicable) per learner per annum
Unemployed - R15 000 (plus VAT, if applicable)
Plus
R 7800 stipend (no VAT applicable) per learner per annum
4.2.1.2 Stakeholders will need to sign an agreement with AgriSETA
4.2.1.3 Contractual arrangements will be done, and training will be provided in accordance with the Manpower Training Act, 1981 and the Conditions of Apprenticeship.
4.2.2 Payment Tranches for Apprenticeships
1st Tranche : An initial amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ Apprenticeship contract (Manpower Act requirement)
§ Memorandum of Agreement with AgriSETA
§ Beneficiary Information Sheet (Annexure B of the Agreement),
§ Copy of ID document
§ Stakeholder Invoice
§ Medical report
2nd Tranche: The remaining amount of maximum 50% will be paid to the Stakeholder, upon submission of:
§ A stakeholder Invoice
§ A Mid Term Log book status report on the beneficiary (Accuracy of ID numbers are important)
Contact details:
Myra Hoffman / 021 9494885 / Enquiries, Allocations, Approvals /Theuns Henning / 012 3251655 / Financials, Invoices, statement of results, /
Emily Thulare / 012 3251655 / Interests for participation, Agreements, /
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