Skill Development Act of 1998

National Skills Fund

NATIONAL SKILLS FUND

STRATEGIC PROJECTS PROGRAMME

Guidelines
for applicants
responding to the Request for Proposals
March2009

1.THE NSF PROGRAMME ON STRATEGIC PROJECTS (2009-2012)

BACKGROUND

In March 2005, the Minister launched the National Skills Development Strategy for2005-2010.This strategy will continue to enhance work that has already been done during the last four years. The NSDS will also guide the work of Sectoral Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the National Skills Fund in terms of resource allocation and use.

The National Skills Fund (NSF) was established in 1999 in terms of the Skills Development Act, 1998 to support the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy. The Act seeks to address the structural deficiencies of the labour market, and develop a workforce that can respond to the modern economic environment, taking into account the equity considerations that are peculiar to South Africa.

Clause 28 of this Act states that:

  1. The money in the Fund may be used only for the projects identified in the national skills development strategy as national priorities or for such other projects related to the achievement of the purposes of this Act as the Director-General determines.

To realize objectives related to national priorities in the NSDS the Director General approved the Strategic Projects Model. The Strategic Projects is not a funding window but rather an implementation model that allows the use of integrated projects to achieve goals and targets set for the NSF in the NSDS.

Owing to a need to adopt an integrated approach to skills challenges facing the country’s economic, developmental and social programme the Department of Labour has adjusted its Strategic Projects Programme to include proposals from organisational categories such as Provider Institutions, Professional Bodies, Public entities, SETAs, ESDAs Government Departments. The move enables the NSF to respond appropriately to viable projects addressing the overall objectives of the NSDS and/or a suite of the Government priorities (ASGISA, Apex Priorities) which seek to further accelerate economic growth and social development towards the realization of a better life for all.

Applicants are expected to refer to therelevant Growth and Development policies and plans (e.g. NSDSII, SSPs, ASGISA, Artisan Development Initiatives, HRDS, Apex Prioritiesand the PGDSs), that will bring the best returns in terms of economic and employment growth and social development. Some of thesepolicies and plans signal (although not in detail) various skills that are needed to support growth and development.

1.2PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to:

  • Support skills development initiatives to key growth sectors of the economy;
  • support skills development initiatives to benefit unemployed people;
  • Inviteapplications from eligible applicants (that have the capacity to manage and implement strategic projectsdirected at building the skills of our citizens in areas that will help government to achieve its strategic goals.

1.3BENEFICIARIES

It is intended that beneficiaries of the projects will fall into the following categories:

  • South African citizens
  • Unemployed people
  • Unemployed graduates, youth and women
  • Under-employed people
  • Vulnerable workers
  • Designated groups like people with disabilities

1.4ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

  • Provincial governments.
  • National Government Departments involved in implementing government sponsored economic projects of national priority
  • SETAs
  • Provider Institutions
  • ESDAs
  • Professional bodies
  • Public Entities implementing projects with significant impact on economy or job creation;

1.5ELIGIBLE COSTS

  • Training provider fees
  • Learner allowance
  • Tool allowance
  • Company training/workplaces costs
  • Assessment/moderation costs
  • Quality assurance costs
  • Protective clothing in training
  • Graduation and certification
  • Specialised equipment for disabled persons and to accommodate them in the workplace
  • Pro rata Project management costs

1.6 FUNDING EXCLUSIONS

  • Research & Feasibility studies
  • Planning costs
  • Marketing costs
  • Proposal development costs
  • Directors fees
  • Capacity building initiatives to improve government service delivery
  • Workshops and conferences
  • Once-off activities, unrelated to a development plan
  • Capital costs
  • Projects that duplicate other donor funded activities in the area of implementation and are not part of a co-funding scheme
  • Formal educational programmes funded by government
  • Direct or indirect funding to provincial governments or national departments orentities reporting to them
  • Ongoing programmes of the applicant organization;

2.ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order to qualify proposals must demonstrate the following:

  • Support for implementation of Provincial government growth & development strategies and/or National priorities.
  • Relate to two or more distinct NSF Funding Windows (supporting NSDS indicators) due to the integrated nature of the “primary” project that needs to be supported.
  • Appropriate implementation experience and capacity.
  • Robust governance ,monitoring and evaluation systems
  • Promote BBBEE with regard to procurement (project management, service providers, etc).
  • Consideration to meet NSDS Equity targets.
  • Ability to meet minimum budget of R20 million, and a maximum of R100 million for the skills development part of the project.
  • Implementation in single or multi-year not exceeding a period on 3 years
  • Where relevant demonstrate support and endorsement by relevant stakeholders (National government departments, SETAs, stakeholder community, beneficiary community)
  • Targeting a minimum percentage of 80% unemployed people. The NSF will use its own discretion in terms of other designated groups by the proposal.

3.OTHER GENERAL/ADMINISTRATIVE CRITERIA:

(a)Only one project proposal per applicant or consortia will be allowed;

(b)Minimum number of beneficiaries is 1,000 beneficiaries.

(c)Minimum 1 year duration and maximum 3 year duration[1] with a commencement date of no later than 1stJune 2009 and ending latest September 2012 subject to satisfactory quarterly progress reviews

(d)Projects must conform to application formats. Proposals using different formats will be returned to applicant marked “not assessed due to format non-compliance”

4.APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Proposals must be submitted on the application templates annexed to these guidelines. These are as follows:

Annexure A: PROJECT SUMMARY (not more than 3 pages)

Annexure B: PROJECT PLAN FRAMEWORK

Annexure C:PARTNERSHIP/ENDORSEMENT STATEMENT

Annexure D:PROJECT BUDGET

5WHEN, WHERE AND HOW TO SEND APPLICATION

5.1Deadline for Applications

The first cycle of this RFP is open from 16March to 30April2009; and the second cycle will run from 01 August 2009 to 31 August 2009. Applications will be considered in line with the available funding.

Proposals must be received by:

First cycle - 15H00 on 30thtApril 2009

Second cycle – 15H00 on 31stAugust 2009

5.2Where and How to send Applications

Please submit one original and one copy of the proposal in a sealed envelope Hand-delivered to the address below:

Department of Labour

National Skills Fund

Laboria House

215 Schoeman Street

PRETORIA

For attention of: Ms Fezeka Puzi

Faxed or Emailed applications are not acceptable.

5.3Further Information and Enquiries

Further information on the application process can be obtained from the contact people below:

Mrs. Mavis Gijima

Tel: (012) 309 4113/4340

Fax: (012) 309 4050

E-Mail:

Mr E Mashabane

Tel: (012) 309 4469/4470

Fax: (012) 309 4048

E-mail:

Doc Name: / DoL Strategic Projects Programme
Date Released / 16 March 2009

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[1]Projects requiring longer duration may be extended based on sufficient implementations progress