PSETA is a statutory body established to respond to skills demand and supply in the Public Service Sector by overseeing the provision of quality education and training that meets current and future needs.  PSETA responds to the transversal skills needs within the South African Public Service Sector. Transversal skills are understood as the “business of government”, encompassing administration, management, planning, legislation, and policy development.

Transversal skills are therefore cross-cutting in nature and occur across all the Public Service Sector.PSETA’s main functions include the development of a Sector Skills Plan, facilitating various workplace-based learning programmes like learnerships and internships, quality assurance of training carried out in the public service, accreditation of skills development providers, and development of qualifications and learning programmes amongst other functions as provided for in the SDA.