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Okiru
Smart Data. Smarter Transformation

  • Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) & Annual Training Report (ATR)

    Strategic WSP & ATR support for South African employers

    Book a WSP & ATR Session

Turn compliance into funding, points and skills — not admin

In South Africa, most levy-paying employers are legally required to submit a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and an Annual Training Report (ATR) to their relevant SETA every year, usually by 30 April.

Done well, these submissions:

  • keep you compliant with the Skills Development Act,
  • unlock mandatory grants (20% of your SDL) and access to discretionary funding,
  • support your B-BBEE Skills Development score, especially for large employers.

Done badly (or late), they cost you money, points and credibility.

Okiru helps you design, compile and submit WSPs and ATRs that are strategic, compliant and audit-ready — not rushed forms filled in the week before deadline.

What are WSP & ATR?

Workplace Skills Plan (WSP)

Your WSP sets out your organisation’s training and development plan for the coming financial year — which skills you’ll develop, for which employees, using which programmes.

It must align to:

  • your business strategy,

  • your identified skills gaps, and

  • your relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) priorities.

What are WSP & ATR?

Annual Training Report (ATR)

Your ATR records all the training you actually implemented in the previous year, measured against the commitments in your WSP.

It shows:

  • which programmes ran,

  • who attended,

  • how much you spent, and

  • how this aligns to your WSP and SETA requirements.


Together, WSP + ATR form the backbone of South Africa’s demand-led skills system and are a key condition for employers to access skills grants and maintain compliance.

Who must submit WSP & ATR?

In general, you’re expected to submit WSP/ATR if:

  • you are registered for Skills Development Levies (SDL), and

  • your annual payroll exceeds R500,000, meaning you must pay SDL at 1% of payroll.


Submissions are made to your primary SETA, based on your core business activity. Different SETAs have their own online systems, but the legal requirement is the same: submit WSP & ATR by 30 April each year to remain eligible for grants

Why WSP & ATR matter for your organisation

When properly planned and submitted, WSP & ATR help you:

  • Unlock mandatory grants (up to 20% of your SDL contributions).

  • Apply for discretionary grants for learnerships, bursaries and PIVOTAL programmes.

  • Support B-BBEE Skills Development points through verifiable, structured spend and training records.

  • Align training to real business needs, not random interventions.

  • Provide evidence in audits and verifications (SETA, B-BBEE, DHET-related reviews).


If you’re not using WSP & ATR as a strategic lever, you’re leaving money and points on the table.


Our WSP & ATR Support

We combine Skills Development advisory, B-BBEE insight and hands-on execution. You decide how much you want us to take off your plate.


1. WSP & ATR Strategy and Planning

  • Align WSP to your business strategy, workforce plan and B-BBEE objectives.

  • Identify priority skills, scarce skills, and high-impact training areas.

  • Map SETA and national skills priorities into your plan.


2. Data Collection & Stakeholder Consultation

  • Work with HR, line managers and SDFs to gather accurate training data.

  • Validate historic training records for the ATR.

  • Confirm future training needs and budgets for the WSP.


3. Completion & Submission Support

  • Complete WSP & ATR on your relevant SETA online system.

  • Ensure all compulsory fields and structures meet SETA requirements.

  • Guide sign-off and submission, ensuring deadlines are met.


4. Evidence & Audit-Readiness

  • Develop and organise supporting evidence packs for ATR training (attendance, invoices, certificates, PoEs where relevant).

  • Align records with B-BBEE Skills Development verification expectations.

  • Provide templates and controls so your future reporting is cleaner and faster.


5. Grant & Funding Optimisation

  • Position your WSP & ATR to support discretionary grant applications. 

  • Advise on PIVOTAL programmes and high-value interventions linked to SETA priorities.

Our WSP & ATR Process

Step 1 – Discovery & Risk Review

We review your current WSP/ATR status, SDL position, SETA allocation, 

B-BBEE requirements and internal processes.


Step 3 – Drafting & Validation

We draft the WSP and ATR, validate with key stakeholders and refine based on internal feedback.

Step 5 – Post-Submission Advisory

We highlight lessons, risks and opportunities for the next cycle including 

grant strategies, programme redesign and Skills Development optimisation.


Step 2 – Skills & Spend Mapping

We map your historic training spend, planned interventions and learner groups against SETA and scorecard requirements.


Step 4 – Submission & Evidence

We support online submission, sign-offs and evidence pack preparation, so you’re ready for both SETA and B-BBEE verification.


Work with a partner who understands both compliance and strategy

You don’t need another reminder email about the 30 April deadline.
You need a partner who can help you:

  • stay compliant,

  • unlock grants,

  • protect your B-BBEE score, and

  • build a real skills pipeline.

Book a WSP & ATR Session