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CHIETA BURSARY POLICY

VERSION: March 2015

1. BACKGROUND

In the 2012/2013 financial year, the CHIETA was confronted by a number of legislative or regulatory,

employer support and transformational challenges related to the roll out of its bursaries programme. The

challenges encountered included the following:

(a) The increased targets for bursaries set for the CHIETA by the Department of Higher Education through

the SETA Performance Scorecard;

(b) The emphasis on PIVOTAL programmes as per requirements outlined in the new SETA grants

regulations;

(c) The renewed focus on rural development and public sector partnerships for supporting learners from

disadvantaged background with bursaries to access priority higher education and occupational

programmes;

(d) The re-energised public FET sector support programme (as outlined in the green paper for post school

education and training) for bursaries from levies to support registration of learners on the National

Certificate Vocational and internship programmes;

(e) Facilitate and support the public FET Lecturer Support particularly in the fields of engineering;

(f) The increased discretionary grants application requests from the chemical industry employers for

allocation of bursary grants for planned employed and unemployed learners;

(g) the need within the chemical industry for suitably qualified professionals, technicians and Technologist

and to

(h) Streamline and standardize the CHIETA bursaries application and allocation criteria, bursary grant

levels as well as bursary grants disbursement rules and mechanisms.

(i) Facilitate partnership with National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the registration of unemployed

learners with the public institutions and to address the top up bursary allocations as identified by

NSFAS.

A need therefore exists for a bursary policy to address the critical skills development in the higher

educational and occupational levels relevant to the chemical sector.

2. THE PURPOSE OF THE CHIETA BURSARY SCHEME

The overall objectives of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme are to:

Facilitate and support the registration of learners from previously disadvantaged background on the

critical and priority programmes in the higher educational and occupational levels;

Support the workplace transformation for companies within the chemical sector;

Promote increased access by previously disadvantaged learners with good and satisfactory academic

performance to enter chemical industry fields of study and employment within the chemical sector;

Attract school leavers with excellent mathematics and science results to enter into chemical sector

fields of study;

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Provide for a funding mechanism and bridge in the value chain and pipeline of learning from career

guidance, bursary, internships or work integrated learning and graduate development or candidacy

programmes;

Support chemical sector companies to upskill their workforce in the critical disciplines;

Enhance access to workplace training opportunities by qualifying public FET learners and to support

public FET Lecturer development;

Establish credible partnerships to optimize the efficient implementation of the bursary programme;

Regulate and standardise the CHIETA bursary grant levels, administration and disbursement

mechanisms.

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme achieves its purpose through:

Identification of critical and scarce skills in the Sector Skills Plan (SSP) supporting PIVOTAL

programmes and occupations within the sector;

Incentivizing existing employer/enterprise/relevant public sectors bursary schemes by allocating

bursary grants to priority fields of study as per the bursary discretionary grants approved by Governing

Board.

Allocation of bursaries to qualifying public FET/TVET College learners and lecturers in the critical

disciplines required within the chemical sector;

Facilitating the development of Non-Employer (non-bounded) learners by providing bursary grants to

employers who provide work experience opportunities to Non-Employer (non-bounded) learners;

Conducting Leaner Tracer Studies project under the Skills Planning and research to assess the impact

of this bursary intervention to qualified CHIETA bursars within the chemical sector and to evaluate the

effectiveness of the CHIETA bursary scheme;

Streamlining and increasing the monitoring and verification of CHIETA Bursary Programme through a

network of CHIETA Regional Offices;

The provision of programme support and appropriate skills training where required for CHIETA bursars

to maximize their chances of success and completion of their studies on record time.

3. THE SCOPE OF THE CHIETA BURSARY POLICY

The CHIETA bursary scheme and policy is applicable to undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries

programmes as approved by the CHIETA Governing Board.

The bursary policy is also applicable to bursaries allocated by Governing Board through the CHIETA

discretionary grants and the Bursary Scheme which is managed internally by the CHIETA.

4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The following guiding principles will assist with the effective implementation of the CHIETA Bursary

Scheme:

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4.1 Allocation of funded Fields of Study to Skills needs or occupations as identified in the

CHIETA Sector Skills Plan, applicable CHIETA bursary funding windows in a financial year

and the occupational dictionary to provide for:

4.1.1 Annual analysis of the CHIETA bursary target as per the Strategic Plan and Annual

Performance Plan and addressing the priority or PIVOTAL skills requirements;

4.1.2 Seamless integration of the CHIETA WSP submissions process with the bursary

discretionary grants application process and adjust the fields of study where necessary;

4.1.3 A well-coordinated process for addressing priority or PIVOTAL skills through the effective

application of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme;

4.1.4 A methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme in

addressing priority or PIVOTAL skills needs within the chemical sector, public sector

support programme including FET and the CHIETA established credible bursary

partnerships or joint bursary implementation plans.

4.2 Criteria for the Allocation of CHIETA Bursaries

An Employer/Enterprise employing more than 50 employees:

Bursaries shall be allocated to a qualifying employer/enterprise provided that:

4.2.1 Employer/enterprise has submitted an approved WSP to the CHIETA and has completed

source data for planned bursary learners;

4.2.2 Employer/enterprise has submitted a PIVOTAL Plan and PIVOTAL Training Report (for

the bursary programmes to the CHIETA to access the discretionary grants; this PIVOTAL

Training Plan and Report is the same as the ATR-WSP Source data.

4.2.3 Employer/Enterprise submits a discretionary grants application during the funding window

grants application period in a financial year to the CHIETA for approval by CHIETA

Governing Board. The CHIETA shall issue a call for discretionary grants applications for

the bursary funding window through the advertisement in the national newspapers.

4.2.4 Adequate funds are available to support the full complement of bursars for the full duration

of the academic year of the approved course;

4.2.5 Priority shall be provided to continuing CHIETA bursars in the allocation of bursaries

subject to availability of funds and approval of bursary allocations by the Governing Board;

4.2.6 Bursary allocations and budget are approved by the CHIETA Governing Board for a

relevant financial year.

An Employer/Enterprise employing less than 50 employees and exempted from submitting

a WSP to the CHIETA:

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4.2.7 In the case of enterprises exempted from submitting the WSP to the CHIETA, such

enterprises must have completed in full the CHIETA bursary grant application forms for a

relevant financial year during the funding window period;

4.2.8 Criteria 4.2.3 to 4.2.6 shall be applicable and binding to enterprises employing less than

50 employees.

4.3 Target Group of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to but not limited to:

4.3.1 University or University of Technology (Degree, Diploma, Postgraduate and B Tech)

Bursars;

4.3.2 Vocational development of University Bursars during the June / July and December /

January vacation period;

4.3.3 Practical development of one year (12 months) for University of Technology Bursars who

require on the job related experience as a pre-requisite for the awarding of the diploma;

4.3.4 Public FET/TVET College (National Certificate Vocational and Engineering Internships as a pre-requisite to access the Trade Test or work experience occupations within the chemical sector);

4.4 THE CHIETA BURSARY FIELDS OF STUDY

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to but not limited to the fields of study that are identified on

an annual basis as informed by SSP. The study fields and occupations are as per the approved funding

window within a financial year and shall be applicable to both employed and unemployed bursaries.

Such study fields include but not limited to:

a) Analytical Chemistry

b) Biochemistry

c) Chemical Engineering

d) Biomedical Technology

e) Mechanical Engineering

f) Polymer Technology

g) Pharmacy

h) Operations Management

i) Electrical Engineering

j) Environmental Science

k) Industrial Engineering

l) Bachelor of Science

4.4 (I) THE CHIETA BROAD STUDY FIELDS:

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The study fields supporting the various occupations within the chemical sector include but not

limited to:

o Agriculture ( Fertilizers subsector)

o Astronomy and Astrophysics

o Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

o Biodiversity & Ecology

o Biology, General

o Botany/Plant Biology

o Business Administration, Management and Operations

o Chemical Engineering

o Chemistry

o Civil Engineering

o Construction Engineering

o Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology

o Economics

o Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering

o Engineering Mechanics

o Environmental Management

o Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

o Environmental/Environmental Health Management

o General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

o Genetics

o Geology and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

o Health and Medical Administrative Services

o Health and Safety Management

o Human Resource Management and Services

o Industrial and Organisational Psychology

o Industrial Design

o Industrial Engineering

o Logistics and Supply Chain Management

o Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

o Manufacturing Engineering

o Mathematics and Statistics

o Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

o Medicine

o Medical Clinical Sciences

o Medical Radiologic Technology/Science (Radiography)

o Metallurgical Engineering

o Mining and Mineral Engineering

o Nuclear Engineering

o Operations Research

o Petroleum Engineering

o Physical Sciences, General

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o Physics

o Project Management

o Public Health

o Public Health Management

o Quality Management

o Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions

o Specialised Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations

o Taxation

o Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences

o Veterinary Medicine

o Zoology/Animal Biology

o Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration

o Pharmacy and Community Pharmacy, General

o Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy

o Pharmaceutics

o Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Design

o Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy

o Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics

o Clinical, Hospital and Managed Care Pharmacy

o Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Science

o Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration, Other

o Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology

o Pharmacology and Toxicology

o Pharmacology

o Molecular Pharmacology

o Neuropharmacology

o Pharmacology and Toxicology

o Pharmacology and Toxicology

o Psychopharmacology

The study fields are reviewed by the CHIETA annually at the end of the WSP cycle in a financial

year.

The above academic courses shall apply to bursars studying an academic course which falls

within one or more of the selected Fields of Study within or related to the chemical sector.

Learners funded from the historical discretionary grants do not include all of the above fields.

Employed bursaries are funded from discretionary grants applications from companies on

respective funding windows speaking to their own skills and developmental needs.

4.4 (II) BURSARY QUALIFICATION TYPES:

The following are the bursary qualification types as funded and supported through the PIVOTAL

Bursary Grant Funding Window:

o (Under Graduate): National Diploma

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o (Under Graduate): National Certificate

o (Under Graduate): National First Degree

o (Post Graduate): National Higher Diploma

o (Post Graduate): National Further Diploma

o (Post Graduate): Honours Degree

o (Post Graduate): Masters Degree

o (Post Graduate): Doctoral Degree

o (Post Graduate): Post-Doctoral Degree

4.4.1 UNDERGRADUATE BURSARIES

4.4.1.1 Eligibility criteria for undergraduate bursaries:

a. South African citizens

b. Youth between age 16 to 35 who do not have any other bursary funding

c. Applicants must meet the entry requirements of the institution

4.4.1.2 Eligibility criteria for Employed bursary candidates:

a. South African citizen

b. No age limit or restriction for bursaries awarded to employers/enterprises

under the discretionary/PIVOTAL grants

c. Applicants must meet the entry requirements of the institution

FET COLLEGE SUPPORT BURSARIES

4.4.1.3 Eligibility criteria for public FET learner bursaries:

a. South African citizens

b. Youth between age 16 to 35 who do not have any other bursary funding

c. Applicants must meet the entry requirements of the college

4.4.1.4 Eligibility criteria for public FET Lecturer bursaries: (Engineering)

a. South African citizens

b. Employed as a Lecturer at a Public FET College

c. Lecturing a relevant engineering subject/s within the Nated or NCV

programmes

4.4.1.5 Eligibility criteria for public FET Lecturer bursaries: (Occupational Trainer

Programme/FET College Facilitator Programme)

a. South African citizens

b. Employed as a Lecturer at a Public FET College

c. Completed successfully the CHIETA Engineering Practical Training

Programme or

d. Completed successfully the CHIETA or National Trade Test

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4.4.1.6 Eligibility criteria for public FET Management Development bursaries:

a. South African citizens

b. Employed as a staff member at middle or senior management level at a

Public FET College

c. Applicants should meet the minimum entry requirements for a Management

Development Programme at a public higher education institution or business

school

d. Programmes are delivered through a public higher education institution or

business school as per Grants Regulations dated 2013.

Supporting Documentation Required:

a. Certified letter of acceptance or proof of registration

b. Certified ID copy

c. Full academic record including latest results

d. Fully completed and signed CHIETA bursary application form and/or contract.

For the CHIETA Bursary Scheme the following additional supporting documentation is

required:

a. Proof of highest qualification completed;

b. Most recent proof of income of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) (not older than 3 months);

c. A certified copy of the Pension slip (not older than 3 months) of your

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) or any other member of the household must be attached if he/she

is a pensioner

d. A sworn statement (not older than 3 months) must be attached if your

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) is unemployed

e. Certified copies of ID of the applicant and ALL members of the household

4.4.2 POST GRADUATE BURSARIES

NSDS III places great emphasis on research and innovation as key to successful skills

development which contributes to economic, developmental and transformational

imperatives of the country. Whilst Goal 1: Establishing a credible institutional mechanism

for skills planning, focuses primarily on obtaining sustainable, quality labour market skills,

related data solutions and analysis in place, the need to research is included in various

NSDS III goals. Goal 4 is particularly relevant to post-graduate research.

Goal 4, NSDS Outcome 4.2.4: Relevant research and development and innovation capacity is

developed and innovative research projects established

Output 4.2.4.1: Sector skills plans identify the focal areas for research, innovation and

development.

Output 4.2.4.2: Agreements are entered into between SETAs, university faculties and other

stakeholders on flagship research projects linked to sector development in a knowledge

economy.

Output 4.2.4.3: Programmes are put in place which focusses on the skills needed to produce

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research that will be relevant and have an impact on the achievement of economic and skills

development goals.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training contribution to the Presidential Outcomes

is for Outcome 5 – “A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path”

that has the five outputs and measures, of which output 5 is relevant to supporting post-

graduates. Output 5: Research, development and innovation in human capital for a

growing knowledge economy specifies the increase required in Honours, Research

masters, Doctoral and Post-doctoral graduates provide increased support to

industry/university partnerships, increase investment in research and development,

especially in the science, engineering and technology sector.

CHIETA’s Sector Skills Plan states that CHIETA will support Honours, Research Masters,

Doctoral and Post-doctoral graduate in relevant fields. CHIETA’s Strategic Plan and

Annual performance Plan identifies post-graduate targets per annum.

CHIETA’s bursary policy is aimed at addressing skills development in support of priorities

identified in the Sector Skills Plan in relation to key occupations, learning areas and

research.

4.4.2 (I) Post Graduate Bursary fields of study

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to fields of study that are informed by SSP

priorities and reviewed on an annual basis.

4.4.2 (II) POST GRADUATE BURSARIES

Approach to post-graduate research

The implementation of post-graduate research bursaries should also support CHIETA’s

research approach, agenda and needs as identified in the SSP and by CHIETA

structures. This includes the building of sustainable research partnerships with

relevant public higher education and training institutions.

CHIETA may provide post-graduate research bursaries in fields of study additional to

those in the CHIETA Bursary Policy for under-graduate studies which are relevant to

the CHIETA’s research agenda and themes. Such fields of study could include the

Social Sciences and economics.

Qualifying criteria for post graduate bursaries

Institutions supported shall be a public University or University of Technology;

Post graduate bursaries fields of study are as per the CHIETA priorities identified in the

SSP and the scorecard indicators. The post-graduate research fields may be in support

of either industrial or skills development research. These bursars should contribute to

the pool of researchers in the chemical industry which could be broader than skills

development;

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The applicant should have completed a relevant undergraduate degree;

The applicant should have satisfied university entrance requirements to a post

graduate programme.

4.5 CHIETA Bursary Funding

The CHIETA Board shall allocate funds annually to facilitate and support the registration of learners

with the CHIETA Bursary and such funding will be made available under the Discretionary (PIVOTAL)

Grants and Strategic Projects, subject to funds availability. Bursary funding will be granted for a

maximum of one academic year and continuation will be subject to funds availability and provided that

the student complies with bursary obligations.

4.6 CHIETA Bursary Grant Levels

4.6.1 The CHIETA bursary funded through the Discretionary Grant application will be capped to

a maximum of R 45 000.00 per learner in an academic or financial year and at R30 000

per learner for the CHIETA Bursary Scheme or at the discretion of CHIETA Management

based on the learner needs (such cases that are the exception will be documented

finishing reasons for exceeding the capped amount);

4.6.2 The bursary shall cover 100% of the registration and tuition fees. This is up to the

maximum of R30 000 in the case of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme. The fees shall be paid

directly to the Institutions on behalf of the bursars.

4.6.3 The bursary funded through the CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall not cover

accommodation, meals, transport or stipends.

4.6.4 Subject to availability of surplus funds from the capped amount, textbooks costs shall be

covered at the discretion of CHIETA for the bursary funded through the CHIETA Bursary

Scheme. The bursar shall be expected to produce adequate proof of purchase in order to

be reimbursed.

4.6.5 In the event where there is a surplus of funds remaining in the tertiary institution’s account,

the funds shall be refunded to CHIETA and not the bursar. This is only applicable for the

bursary funded through the CHIETA Bursary Scheme.

4.6.5 Evidence required as per the signed Memorandum of Agreement between CHIETA and the

employer must be submitted to CHIETA by the employer for the bursary funded through

the Discretionary Grant application before funds are released

4.7 CHIETA Bursary Scheme Qualifying Criteria

The following criteria will be applied for bursars to be considered for a CHIETA Bursary:

4.7.1 Academic Courses

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to bursars studying an academic course which falls within one of the selected Fields of Study within the chemical sector.

4.7.2 Academic Institutions

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The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to bursars registered with the following

academic institutions:

o Universities;

o Universities of Technology; or

o Public Further Education & Training (FET) or Technical and Vocational Education and

Training (TVET) Colleges

4.8 Academic Year of Study

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply to:

4.8.1 Bursars entering their first year of study who possess a South African Matriculation

Certificate (or an evaluated equivalent qualification) in the subjects and with subject

grades that are required by the academic institution (or such equivalent qualification as

that the institution may determine),.

4.8.2 Lecturers employed at a public FET College in the field of engineering.

4.8.3 Bursars entering their second semester or second year or third year or fourth year of

study who meets the requirements as specified under the “Bursary Continuation,

Suspension and Reinstatement” principles contained in this policy.

4.8.4 Bursary programmes allocated under the applicable Discretionary Grants funding window

such as BBBEE or workplace transformation. .

4.9. Demographics

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply only to bursars who are South African Citizens.

4.10 Academic Pass Marks

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall apply only to bursars who have achieved the prescribed academic

pass marks.

4.11 Preferential Conditions

The CHIETA shall give preferential consideration to top performing students, Previously Disadvantaged

Individuals, financially needy bursary applicants and continuing bursars subject to availability of funds.

4.12 Additional Conditions

The CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall give additional consideration to:

4.12.1 Female applicants;

4.12.2 Applicants living in rural areas; and

4.12.3 Unemployed applicants.

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4.13 Eligibility of Qualifying Bursars

Not all applicants meeting the specified qualifying criteria of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall

necessarily be interviewed or awarded a CHIETA Bursary.

Each application shall be considered on merits and in the event of more qualifying bursars being

available than funds allow, additional criteria shall be applied in an effort to narrow down the number of

eligible bursars.

5. Bursary Awarding Conditions

The award of the bursary through the CHIETA Bursary Scheme shall be subject to the following conditions

namely:

5.1 The applicants are accepted for the course at the academic institution

5.2 Should an applicant be registered with an academic institution which does not comply with the

requirements of qualifications, as specified by the CHIETA, the applicant shall not be awarded the

bursary;

5.3 Applicants have signed a contract with the CHIETA for a financial year;

5.4 The applicant does not have any existing bursary with another institution, employer/enterprise or

bursary funding agency unless in the case of the top up of the bursary funds. If it is found that the

applicant has an existing bursary covering the full cost of the fees, the CHIETA bursary shall be

forfeited automatically and redirected to the next qualifying learner at the discretion of the CHIETA.

6. Duration of Bursary

Bursaries shall be granted for a maximum of one academic year provided that the bursar complies with the

bursary obligations.

7. Service Obligation

The awarding of a bursary through the CHIETA Bursary Scheme will be subject to the following obligations:

a) Applicants shall agree to enter into a bursary contract with the CHIETA. The CHIETA may in its

sole discretion waive the service obligation, in which event bursars shall have no claim whatsoever

against the CHIETA. If the service obligation is waived by the CHIETA, bursars shall not be obliged

to repay the bursary debt;

8. Bursary Continuation, Suspension and Reinstatement

In exercising its discretion whether or not the bursary is to be continued, suspended or reinstated, as the

case may be, the CHIETA shall take into account academic results, as well as additional factors:

8.1 Academic Results

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8.1.1 Bursars who pass their semester examinations shall automatically qualify for a re-award,

subject to the availability of funds. In the case of the CHIETA Bursary Scheme, the bursar

must re-apply on a yearly basis and be approved by CHIETA. The funding does not roll

over to subsequent years; There is no precedent set that learners will be funded for more

than the period specified in the contract between the learner and CHIETA or Employer

and CHIETA. While CHIETA will make every endeavor to support continuing learners,

subject to availability of funds and CHIETA approval.

8.1.2 Bursars who fail more than one course shall automatically be removed from the bursary

scheme.

8.1.2.1 Bursars who have been removed from the bursary scheme may re-apply for a

bursary upon successfully completing the failed courses at their own expense

subject to the academic institution permitting them to register for all the qualifying

courses required to be completed for the succeeding year of study;

8.1.3 Bursars who fail a single course shall be allowed to continue provided that the results of

the other courses passed indicate that the bursars will be able to cope with the new

courses as well as the repeat course;

8.1.4

8.1.5 The bursary scheme shall not cover the cost of repeat subjects;

8.1.6 Bursars who have failed one or more courses, who are in work experience at the time of receiving their results shall be allowed to continue with the work experience but will be expected to complete the course/s at their own cost.

9. Employment of CHIETA Bursars

Bursars shall, upon graduating be eligible for work experience or work placement within the chemical sector employer subject to approval of such grants to the employer by the CHIETA Governing Board. CHIETA is not obliged/ does not guarantee to employ bursars upon completion of their qualification.

10. Bursary Awarding Audit by the appointed CHIETA Service Provider

An annual audit report shall be carried out by the CHIETA appointed Service Provider to ensure that the application, interviewing, selection and awarding were done correctly in terms of the stipulations of the policy.

11. Review of Policy

The policy shall be reviewed annually by 31 March each year or as required and shall be approved by the CHIETA Governing Board for the relevant financial or academic year.