Thursday, 05 February 2026
On Wednesday, 04 February 2026, the National Skills Fund (NSF) convened an urgent meeting with Phila Jordan Capital, our Gauteng based implementing partner in Aviation Training, following the disruption of learner accommodation services arising from the termination of a contract between Phila Jordan Capital and a third-party accommodation supplier.
This meeting was preceded by a meeting on Friday, 30 January 2026 between the NSF and the service provider in which the NSF explicitly indicated that it does not support the haphazard relocation of learners from Johannesburg to Pretoria and other temporary locations in Johannesburg. Despite this, Phila Jordan Capital proceeded with the relocation without a proper plan, resulting in severe hardship for certain learners who were left destitute.
We must also indicate that on Sunday, 1 February 2026, a notice was issued immediately to PJC not to displace the learners. Despite this notice students were moved.
The service provider’s conduct constituted a breach of contract of the Memorandum of Agreement which requires PJC to notify the NSF in writing within fourteen (14) business days of any changes to the project which might affect the planned project deliverables, outputs and outcomes of the project.
During the meeting of 4 February 2026, led by PJC CEO and Chairperson of the Board, the service provider formally apologised to learners, parents, and the National Skills Fund for the inconvenience and distress caused by the disruption. The service provider acknowledged responsibility for the impact on learners and outlined steps being taken to stabilise the situation and restore continuity of services, which they plan to resume on Monday, 09 February 2025.
While the NSF notes the apology from Phila Jordan Capital, it has a responsibility to safeguard the well-being and the interests of learners and to ensure that public funds are utilised in a manner that upholds accountability, quality, and learner dignity.
It is for this reason that the NSF has issued to Phila Jordan Capital a notice of non-compliance for its unauthorised relocation of learners. The NSF has also given Phila Jordan Capital fourteen (14) business days to explain in writing, among others, the explanation outlining circumstances that led to the movement of the learners, immediate remedial steps taken to ensure learners’ welfare and restore compliance with the memorandum of agreement, to confirm the suitability of the Pretoria accommodation, bearing in mind that the majority of hosts employers are located in Johannesburg, and a comprehensive catch-up plan to address the classes that were missed and stipends paid to learners who were not in class.
“We are not going to compromise on the safety of the wellbeing of our learners. The Skills Development Providers have a responsibility to ensure uninterrupted access to funded quality assured and accredited programmes, accurate and timeous payment of stipends to learners and to maintain compliance with contractual and governance requirements including reporting and accounting with evidence for the funds utilised. We want to see corrective measures being implement to ensure no repeat of such disruptions. We also expect all SDPs to strengthen oversight with their third-party suppliers,” said the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Skills Fund, Ms Melissa Erra.
The National Skills Fund continues to monitor the situation closely and has made it clear through its notice of non-compliance to Phila Jordan Capital to ensure that all affected learners are adequately supported and that appropriate measures are in place to prevent a recurrence.
The National Skills Fund is not a party to the contractual agreement between the SDPs and the accommodation providers. However, given its funding and oversight role, the NSF has a vested interest in ensuring that disputes are resolved timeously and in a manner that does not adversely affect learners.
The NSF also has a responsibility to ensure that all parties respect and adhere to the memorandum of agreement by fulfilling specific roles, responsibilities and terms outlined in the document. The NSF will not hesitate to take any appropriate action in cases where parties fail to fulfil their obligations under the terms of contracts.
Ends!
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Issued by the National Skills Fund’s Public Relations and Communication Unit
