Which skills are SETAs prioritising in 2026?
Published 20 Sept 2026
SETA funding is leaning toward digital skills, renewable energy, technical trades, healthcare and logistics. Here's what that means for training providers.
SETA funding priorities give a strong signal about where training demand is heading. In 2026, the recurring themes across Sector Skills Plans and career guidance reporting are clear:
- Digital technology — AI and data literacy, cybersecurity and general digital workplace skills
- Renewable energy — installation, maintenance and manufacturing value chains
- Technical trades — artisan and engineering skills
- Healthcare — a continuing source of hard-to-fill vacancies
- Logistics — supply chain and transport skills
ICT, finance and business services, manufacturing and engineering, and green energy are all expected to keep growing, which reinforces the same priority list.
Why it matters
Programmes aligned to these priority areas are more likely to attract discretionary grant funding — and more likely to match what employers are hiring for.
What to do
Check your own SETA's Sector Skills Plan (SSP) for the specific occupations in high demand in your sector, and align your programme portfolio accordingly. Figures and trends from career blogs should always be confirmed against your SETA's official SSP.
Source: SETA Careers
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