The main purpose of a SETA is to improve and develop skills within its sector, to identify skills development needs, and to ensure that national standards are maintained. In order to achieve this purpose, a SETA will develop and implement a sector specific skills plan, and will monitor education and training within its sector.

Once a SETA has been accredited by SAQA as an ETQA, it also evaluates and accredits training providers within its sector.

SETAs plays the following roles in SA Corporate Training Space:

Administer the funds that are collected in terms of the Skills Development Levy.
Promote the creation of learnerships within the relevant sector,
Perform quality assurance functions in order to ensure that the applicable standards are being maintained.
Aim to ensure that learners and members of the workforce have the skills that are required by the relevant industry sectors.

List of all SETAs in South Africa

AgriSETA	Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority
BANKSETA	Banking Sector Education and Training Authority
CETA	Construction Education and Training Authority
CHIETA	Chemical Industries Sector Education and Training Authority
CTFL	Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Sector Education and Training Authority
ESETA	Energy Sector Education and Training Authority
ETDP	Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority
FASSET	Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority
FIETA	Forest Industry Sector Education and Training Authority
FOODBEV	Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Training Authority
FP&MSETA	Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority
HWSETA	Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority
INSETA	Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority
ISETT	Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority
LGSETA	Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority
MERSETA	Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority
MICT	Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority
MQA	Mining Qualifications Authority
PSETA	Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority
SASSETA	Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority
SERVICES SETA	Services Sector Education and Training Authority
TETA	Transport Sector Education and Training Authority
W&RSETA	Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority