Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande on Thursday proposed far-reaching changes to the sector education and training authorities (Setas) system.

The proposals include reducing the number of Setas from 23 to 21, amalgamating several Setas to secure greater efficiencies, which will result in six new Setas being established, and recertifying the remaining 15 with minor changes.

Nzimande said that the governance mechanisms for Setas were also being reviewed and legislative steps would be taken to improve their functioning.

"We are also looking into patterns of mismanagement and non-performance in the Setas and will release details within the next two weeks about action to be taken," he said.

The Skills Development Act allowed the minister, after consultation with the National Skills Authority (NSA) and the Seta in question, to direct the director general to appoint an administrator to take over the administration of a Seta or to perform the functions of a Seta if, among others, the Seta failed to perform its functions.

"This is one of the options open to me to deal with non-performers," Nzimande said.

The new Seta "landscape" would be adopted by the third quarter of this year after consultation with the NSA.

"The criteria guiding the proposed new landscape are to ensure coverage of all economic sectors, financial and operational viability, and alignment with current government priorities," he said.

The Higher Education and Training Department assumed responsibility for skills development from the Labour Department in November last year.

Nzimande also released a draft framework for the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) 2011/12 to 2015/16.

The framework was intended to guide development of the Sectoral Skills Plans (SSP) for adoption by September 2010.

SSPs were five-year skills development reports prepared by Setas and were aimed at identifying, among others, the skills needs of industry/economic sectors, such as skills shortages, gaps and supply.

They were also intended to show the possibilities and constraints in effectively using and developing skills.

The NSDS framework would be finalised by the middle of June, he said.

The NSA would hold public hearings on both matters from June 14 to 18 in Pretoria.