Legal practitioners and firms can enhance their training programmes and create valuable work experience opportunities by accessing grants from the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA). These grants are specifically designed to support skills development within the legal services sub-sector.

Funding source: Skills Development Levy (SDL)

SASSETA grants are funded through the Skills Development Levy (SDL), which is a mandatory contribution from employers within the safety and security sector, including those in legal practice. Employers with an annual payroll of R500 000 or more must pay 1% of this amount as SDL, with registration for payment required through the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Non-compliance with this obligation can lead to penalties of 10% and additional interest.

The SDL is intended to foster skills development and continuous training within the workforce, ensuring the sector remains equipped with the skills required to meet evolving legal and economic demands.

Types of SASSETA grants

SASSETA offers two primary types of grants that legal practitioners can utilise:

• Mandatory Grants (MG): This grant is calculated at 20% of the SDL paid by the employer and is available to those who submit their Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) to SASSETA by 30 April each year. This grant enables employers to fund training initiatives for their employees, enhancing the skills and competencies within their teams.
• Discretionary Grants (DG): Allocated based on sector-identified skills needs, the DG supports both training for employed individuals and the creation of work experience opportunities for the unemployed. This flexible funding option helps address specific skills shortages and enhances the broader legal services landscape.

Applying for SASSETA grants

To qualify for these grants, legal practitioners must be registered contributors to the SDL and submit applications during SASSETA’s funding windows, which are regularly advertised. These funding opportunities are open to all eligible employers within the legal sector who meet the necessary compliance requirements.

Current SASSETA-funded initiatives

SASSETA is actively investing in several key initiatives to support the legal profession, including:

• Placement of candidate attorneys and pupil advocates.
• Bursaries for LLB students and qualifications in critical skills areas identified within the sector.
• Placement of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College students, learnerships, and other skills programmes, aimed at expanding skills development opportunities and preparing the next generation of legal professionals.

Call to action

SASSETA encourages all employers within the legal services sub-sector to fulfil their SDL obligations, submit their WSP and ATR by 30 April each year, and apply for grants when funding windows open (typically in February/March). Active participation in SASSETA’s funding opportunities will not only enhance the skills within your practice but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the legal profession.

Contact information

For more information on how to access SASSETA grants, please contact:

• E-mail: callcentre@sasseta.org.za
• Telephone: (011) 087 5500
• Website: sasseta.org.za

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2024 (October) DR 3.