3 Costly Mistakes Businesses Make with Their SETA Submissions
And how to avoid losing out on grants, rebates, and opportunities
Submitting your WSP/ATR isn’t just about ticking a box. Done right, it gives you access to real benefits — funding, training support, and recognition for developing your team.
But many small businesses and new SDFs unintentionally sabotage their own success by making simple, avoidable errors.
Let’s unpack the 3 most common mistakes that cost companies money, time, and credibility — and how you can avoid them.
❌ Mistake 1: Submitting Late — or to the Wrong SETA
Sounds obvious, right? But this is a major reason submissions get rejected. Each SETA has its own timeline, and while most close around 30 April, some have earlier cut-offs.
What happens if you submit late?
Your submission may be automatically disqualified
You lose access to discretionary grants for the year
You can’t claim back a portion of your Skills Development Levy
What to do instead:
✔️ Confirm your SETA early — it’s based on your SIC code or main business activity
✔️ Register your SDF on the SETA portal and check submission windows
✔️ Set internal deadlines at least 2 weeks earlier than the SETA deadline
📎 Need help figuring out which SETA you fall under? Book a free 15-minute skills review call — we’ll help you confirm.
❌ Mistake 2: Only Reporting Accredited Training
Many SDFs still believe that only training linked to a registered qualification “counts.” That’s not true — and it’s causing businesses to leave value on the table.
What else qualifies?
✅ On-the-job learning
✅ Peer coaching or mentorship
✅ Soft skills development
✅ Internal workshops and SOP reviews
✅ Online, informal, or just-in-time learning
Why it matters:
When you only report accredited training, you’re underreporting the real investment you’ve made in your people — and that weakens your submission.
Your SETA wants to see growth — not just certificates.
✔️ Use attendance registers, screenshots, agendas, or simple write-ups to validate informal training.
💡 Check out our full list in the Smart SDF Starter Kit → [Download Now]
❌ Mistake 3: Copying Last Year’s Training Plan
This is more common than you think — especially in busy HR teams or when the WSP is rushed.
Why it’s a problem:
It signals that you’re not tracking progress or growth
It weakens your case for discretionary grant funding
It disconnects training from your real business priorities
Training plans that repeat year after year raise flags. SETAs want to see that you’re identifying new skills gaps, responding to changing needs, and developing your workforce on purpose.
✅ What to do instead:
1️⃣ Conduct a simple skills audit
Ask: What do our people need to do better or differently this year?
2️⃣ Match training to business goals
If your team needs to adopt new tech, enter new markets, or work better together — your training should reflect that.
3️⃣ Keep your plan agile
Even if it changes mid-year, start with a roadmap that makes sense now. You can always update it later.
🔄 We help SDFs create lean, smart, business-aligned training plans. [Talk to us →]
🚨 Bonus Mistake: No Proof = No Points
Even if you trained staff, if you can’t prove it, it won’t count.
That doesn’t mean it needs to be fancy — just organised.
What counts as proof?
Signed registers or training logs
Internal comms or meeting notes
Screenshots of online courses
Certificates (if available)
Feedback forms, peer reviews, manager notes
📎 Create a “training file” you can add to during the year — not just in April when it’s submission panic mode.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Your WSP/ATR isn’t just a form — it’s your business’s skills development track record.
If you:
Know what to include,
Plan based on real gaps,
And document smartly…
…you’ll build submissions that actually work for you — not against you.
📥 Need Help with Your Submission?
Download our free Smart SDF Starter Kit
✔ Checklist of what counts
✔ Mistakes to avoid
✔ Grant readiness tips
Or
📞 Book a Free 15-Min Skills Review Call
📩 Visit Our Services Page
