ATR - Helping you and the Economy Grow

10May, 2026

A Defining Month for Skills Development Submissions

April marked one of the most critical periods in the B-BBEE calendar, and we’re proud of what was achieved.

Despite facing technical challenges, including system downtimes across multiple SETA submission platforms, our team successfully ensured that 95% of our clients’ Skills Development (WSP/ATR) submissions were completed on time.

Where delays were unavoidable, we have continued submitting within the extended deadlines granted by several SETAs, ensuring our clients remain compliant and well positioned.

This submission window was not without pressure, but it highlighted:

The strength and resilience of our internal systems
Our team’s ability to adapt under challenging conditions
Our commitment to delivering for our clients, no matter the circumstances

We also take this opportunity to welcome all the new clients who trusted us during this critical period. We are proud to support your compliance journey and look forward to building long-term partnerships.

Industry Outlook: A Changing B-BBEE Landscape

The B-BBEE landscape continues to evolve, and April brought early signs of significant shifts on the horizon.

A group of major legal firms has taken steps to challenge the recently drafted Legal Sector Code amendments in the High Court, signaling growing resistance and debate within certain sectors.

This development highlights a broader reality:

B-BBEE frameworks will continue to be tested and refined
Sector-specific codes are becoming increasingly complex
Businesses must stay informed and adaptable

While outcomes remain to be seen, what is clear is that transformation policy is entering a new phase of scrutiny and evolution.

What This Means for Our Clients

In a month like April, one thing becomes clear: compliance is no longer just about deadlines, it’s about preparedness, adaptability, and strategic execution.

From managing high-pressure submission periods to navigating regulatory uncertainty, businesses need partners who can provide clarity and consistency.

How EconoBEE Supports You

EconoBEE remains committed to:

Ensuring seamless and compliant submissions, even under pressure
Keeping clients informed on regulatory and industry developments
Providing practical, strategic guidance in a shifting landscape

We don’t just manage compliance; we help you stay ahead of it.

👉Let’s Keep You Ahead of Compliance

Whether you need support with B-BBEE submissions, Skills Development planning, or navigating upcoming regulatory changes, our team is ready to assist.

👉 Connect with EconoBEE today and ensure your business stays compliant, competitive, and future-ready.

📩 Email: info@econobee.co.za
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 011 483 1190/ 065 990 5074

WSP and ATR Submission, Skills Developoment, Discretionery Grants, and Mandatory Grants.

9Feb, 2026

Register Now | WSP & ATR Compliance Webinar – 20 February 2026

Dear Valued Stakeholder,

EconoBEE invites you to attend a complimentary WSP & ATR Compliance Webinar taking place on 20 February at 10:00 AM.

As the Skills Development submission window approaches, many organizations continue to experience challenges relating to incorrect preparation, misinterpretation of requirements, and declined submissions. These challenges often result in lost discretionary grants, missed Skills Development points, and increased compliance risk.

This webinar is designed to provide practical guidance and regulatory clarity on Workplace Skills Plans (WSP) and Annual Training Reports (ATR), enabling organizations to submit accurately and with confidence.

The session will be facilitated by Phumeza Makoko and Meshack Mhlanga, who bring extensive experience in Skills Development compliance and SETA processes.

Topics to be covered include:

Skills Development compliance within the South African regulatory framework
The foundational importance of WSP and ATR
Understanding the core objectives of WSP/ATR submissions
Benefits of compliant submissions
Consequences of non-compliance
A practical guide to preparing WSP and ATR
Common reasons why WSP/ATR submissions are declined

Date: 20 February
Price: FREE!

Time: 10:00 AM

👉 Register here:
https://econoservices.co.za/b-bbee-webinars/

This webinar is recommended for employers, HR practitioners, Skills Development Facilitators, and compliance professionals seeking to mitigate risk and improve submission outcomes.

6Feb, 2026

2026 Business Climate Outlook

Skills Development, B-BBEE Reform and What Employers Should Prepare For

As we enter 2026, South African businesses are navigating a year shaped by regulatory reform, heightened compliance expectations, and growing emphasis on meaningful transformation. For employers, the year ahead presents both risk and opportunity, particularly in the areas of skills development, workforce planning, and B-BBEE compliance. Early preparation and informed decision making will be critical to maintaining compliance, accessing incentives, and strengthening long term sustainability.

Regulatory Landscape: Draft B-BBEE Amendments Set the Tone for 2026

A key development influencing the current business climate is the publication of the draft Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice for public comment by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition. These draft amendments span several elements of the Codes, including the Generic Scorecard, Qualifying Small Enterprise scorecards, Enterprise and Supplier Development, interpretation and definitions, and the Ownership element relating to Equity Equivalent Programmes for Multinationals.

Collectively, these proposed changes signal a clear policy direction toward tighter governance, improved measurement principles, and stronger accountability across all elements of B-BBEE. Employers are encouraged to review these developments carefully, as the finalization of the Codes may have a direct impact on scorecard outcomes, compliance strategies, and verification results.

What This Means for Employers

The draft amendments reflect a shift away from treating compliance as a once off administrative process and toward deeper scrutiny of how transformation initiatives are planned, implemented, measured, and reported. Businesses that proactively align their strategies with regulatory intent will be better positioned to manage compliance risk and adapt smoothly once the amendments are finalized.

Skills Development in the Current Climate

Within this evolving regulatory environment, skills development remains a critical pillar of both compliance and workforce growth. As the new skills development cycle begins, it is important to note that SETA online submission systems open at different times, with many becoming accessible from January through February, while the common closing date remains 30 April.

This period presents an important opportunity for employers to begin preparing their Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Training Reports early, ensuring regulatory compliance, access to mandatory and discretionary grants, and alignment with broader transformation objectives. While WSP and ATR submissions may appear procedural, they play a foundational role in skills planning, grant recovery, and long-term workforce development.

Upcoming Webinar: WSP and ATR Compliance for Employers

To support employers during the 2026 skills development cycle, EconoBEE will be hosting a practical and informative webinar focused on WSP and ATR compliance.

🗓 Date: 20 February
⏰ Time: 10:00am
📍 Platform: Online webinar

What we will cover:

✔ Skills Development compliance requirements
✔ The foundational importance of WSP and ATR and their core objectives
✔ Benefits of submitting WSP and ATR correctly
✔ Consequences of non-compliance
✔ A practical guide to preparing your submissions
✔ Common reasons WSP and ATR submissions are declined by SETAs

Why attend?

This session is designed to provide clarity, reduce compliance risk, and help businesses position themselves to access available grants while strengthening overall B-BBEE outcomes.

Who should attend?

Business owners, HR managers, skills development facilitators, compliance managers, and finance teams involved in skills development planning.

👉 Secure your spot and book your seat here: https://econoservices.co.za/b-bbee-webinars/

Why attend?

This session is designed to provide clarity, reduce compliance risk, and help businesses position themselves to access available grants while strengthening overall B-BBEE outcomes.

Who should attend?

Business owners, HR managers, skills development facilitators, compliance managers, and finance teams involved in skills development planning.

Looking Ahead

As we move further into 2026, EconoBEE will continue to share insights on regulatory developments and practical compliance considerations. In our next newsletter, we will explore in greater depth how skills development can be leveraged as a strategic tool for transformation and workforce improvement, rather than being approached purely from a compliance perspective.

EconoBEE remains committed to supporting our clients through regulatory updates, skills development planning, and B-BBEE compliance advisory. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the 2026 business cycle and assisting your organisation in navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape with confidence

1Mar, 2022

Successful Submissions have an excellent Return on Investment!

Successful submissions of your Work Skills Plan and Annual Training Report can provide excellent Returns on your Investment!

The window period for submission of the WSP and ATR has opened for some of the SETAs, generally SETA submission window period is open until the 31^st of April annually. Without the approved WSP and ATR, Measured Entities will forfeit their skills development points.

Apart from B-BBEE , here are some of the ROI on successful WSP and ATR submission:

A mandatory grant to the value of 20% of your annual SDL.
The opportunity to apply for Discretionary Grants as the year unfolds.
It is an opportunity for companies to plan for and develop specific skill set requirements, ensuring both businesses and employees the opportunity to grow.

For measured entities without a skills development facilitator, EconoBEE is offering essential SDF services to help you manage the skills development element for you:

We can act as an external SDF for your company.
We can support your internal SDF with strategic insight and back-end administrative support.

16Mar, 2021

Are YOU being paid out your Mandatory and Discretionary Grants?

There are 2 types of Grants that are awarded to companies to assist with Training and Upskilling. These are the Mandatory Grants and Discretionary Grants. Let’s look at the difference between these Grants and the benefits of each: Mandatory Grants This Grant is payable to all levy paying companies upon submission and approval of the WSP/ATR Report. This is only paid after the WSP/ATR Report has been approved, which ensures that the SETA’s Quality Standards have been met in the submission. All submissions must be made before the deadline on 30 April, otherwise the Mandatory Grant will not be awarded. This Grant will award companies 20% of the total annual levies that are paid by the employer each month. These pay-outs are made quarterly. Discretionary Grants Discretionary Grants are awarded, as the name indicates, at the discretion of the SETA. Companies will need to apply for this grant when the window opens, which is usually a few weeks after the WSP/ATR submission. The application process is fairly lengthy, as each company will need to specify what type of training will be implemented, the training provider that will be used, and the details of the course will need to be provided. The total cost of this training will need to be provided, including the stipend amounts that will be paid to Learners (where applicable). Companies need to ensure that the training progammes chosen in the Discretionary Grant, address the Scarce and Critical skills shortages in their respective SETA. A complete list of these Scarce and Critical Skills can be obtained from the SETA’s websites. Successful Discretionary Grant applicants can get up to 49.5% of the total levies paid back annually. This grant must be used to pay for the training that was specified in the application. This grant will be paid out quarterly, and in order for payment to be made, companies must provide progress reports for each of the learners sent on training. Who can apply for Discretionary Grants:

NGOs and cooperatives in the Sector
A public education and training institution
A levy paying employer, who has submitted the WSP/ATR Report
A non-levy paying employer, within the jurisdiction of the SETA.

Do you need assistance with these Grants? EconoBEE is happy to help you understand these Grants and assist with these applications. The window for Mandatory Grants is now open for most SETAs.

Online Workshops – To peruse our 2021 Online Workshop List, please click here

16Feb, 2021

The deadline for the annual submission of the WSP is 30 April 2021!

The law states that a company with a payroll that exceeds R500 000 per annum must be registered to pay the Skills Development Levy (SDL). All companies with 50 or more employees need to establish a Skills Development Committee and consult with the Committee prior to the submission of the skills report. All companies need to appoint a suitably qualified Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) to facilitate the training needs within the organisation and liaise with the SETA. The WSP (Workplace Skills Plan) plays a significant role in the execution of education, training and development initiatives in the organization. An employer needs to establish a WSP, which is a strategic document that details how the employer will address the needs for development and training in the workplace. Remember to link this to your succession plan! This should be in line with the core and critical skills identified by the SETA. The ATR (Annual Training Report) is accurate documentation of all the training that has taken place in the reporting period in the organisation i.e.: the ATR is the past information and the WSP is the future planned training. Benefits of Submitting your Skills Development Reports:

The Skills Development Act aims to develop the skills of the South African workforce, thereby improving the quality of life for workers and giving them more prospects of work. It also aims to improve productivity in the workplace, the competitiveness of employers and to promote development.
The Skills Development Levies collected by the SETA are channelled towards skills development. This levy can be claimed back by an employer if they submit their WSP, ATR and Pivotal training report and achieve the goals set out
You can claim up to 20% of the SDL you pay by submitting your WSP and ATR in time
In order to maximise your B-BBEE points for skills development, you need to submit your skills development report to the SETA on time
You are able to access SETA grants to assist in training your employees

When skills development is structured in the best way, and core and critical skills are identified, implementation becomes sustainable and ends up saving you money. Learnerships are a key strategy to achieving your goals as well as enabling you to take advantage of the tax allowances, employee tax incentives and seta grants which reduces your overall cost. ECONOBEE is hosting a number of workshops on SKILLS DEVELOPMENT! Delegates will gain a better understanding of the requirements of the SD Act and SDL Act and will have more knowledge on how to submit your documents and how to maximise your skills development spend. We will explain how targeted skills development can actually save you money, via tax incentives, and maximise your B-BBEE skills development recognition. Can’t attend? Please contact us on 011 483 1190 and we can tailor a solution for you.