MICT SETA Opens Submission Window for 2026/27 WSP/ATR: Empowering Media & ICT Employers to Future-Proof Skills Development

Johannesburg, South Africa – 13 February 2026 – The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) has officially opened the submission window for the 2026/2027 Workplace Skills Plan (WSP), Annual Training Report (ATR), Pivotal Training Plan (PTP), and Pivotal Training Report (PTR). With the digital economy accelerating at breakneck speed, MICT SETA is calling on levy-paying employers to act decisively to unlock critical funding and drive workforce transformation.

Strategic Imperative for Employers

In a media and ICT landscape defined by rapid disruption, from digital broadcasting and cybersecurity to AI-driven content creation, timely WSP/ATR submissions are no longer just a compliance exercise; they are a strategic advantage. Submission enables access to both mandatory and discretionary grants, helps bridge critical skills gaps, and delivers significant gains on B-BBEE scorecards.

The application window, hosted on MICT SETA’s Integrated Learner Management System (ILMS), opened on 23 January 2026. The system will shut down sharply at midnight on 30 April 2026. No extensions will be granted for late or incomplete data submissions.

Key Role of Skills Development Facilitators (SDFs)

Registered Skills Development Facilitators (SDFs) remain the linchpin of this process, authorised via official company letterhead to submit on behalf of employers. To ensure seamless administration, MICT SETA strongly encourages SDFs to attend the essential WSP/ATR System Training sessions (limited to two delegates per company for in-person attendance), equipping them with the technical ILMS skills required to navigate the process flawlessly.

“Empowering the media and ICT sectors through strategic skills planning is at the heart of MICT SETA’s mandate,” said Bontle Mokoena, Senior Manager: Sector Skills Planning (SSP) at MICT SETA. “We urge all employers to seize this submission window because your WSP/ATR is not just compliance, but a catalyst for innovation, youth employment, and sustainable growth in South Africa’s digital economy.”

The Employer Impact

Beyond the SETA context, there is a tangible impact of these submissions for industry. With the rapid adoption of Generative AI and cloud computing, the shelf life of technical skills is shrinking fast. The MICT SETA grant funding unlocked through a strong WSP allows employers to rapidly reskill engineers and content teams.

Ms Mokoena emphasized: “Submitting a compliant WSP/ATR is the single most effective way for employers to reclaim their skills development levies and invest directly back into their own workforce. Yet we still see too many organisations leaving millions of rands unclaimed due to administrative delays or a failure to align their training reports with actual business needs. The message to CEOs is clear: treat your Skills Development Facilitator as a strategic asset, empower them with the right data, and use this window to build the talent pipelines your company will need to survive the next five years,” she concluded.

Why Submit Now? Impact on Media & ICT Growth

For employers rolling out training programmes in advertising, media production, ICT infrastructure, or digital innovation; telecommunications and electronics WSP/ATR compliance is the key to building sustainable talent pipelines. Proactive submissions ensure maximum grant recovery, strict adherence to National Treasury guidelines, and a competitive edge in attracting and retaining South Africa’s top youth talent.

To access the system, visit: https://lms.mict.org.za/accounts/login/user

ENDS

About MICT SETA

The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) is a public entity established in terms of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). Its main role is to enrich industry skills set to meet the demands of rapidly changing economies, new technologies and to promote inclusive economic growth in South Africa within the Advertising, Film and Electronic Media, Electronics, Information Technology, and Telecommunications sub-sectors. PRESS RELEASE

“Shaping Skills, Pioneering Industries, Empowering Futures”.

For more information:

Xabiso Matshikiza | xabiso.matshikiza@mict.org.za |011 207 2626

Manager: Marketing and Communications