>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The study focusses on the transport sector, where company participation level is measured at approximately 20% of levy paying enterprises, and this level is mostly based on relatively high levels of participation from large and medium sized companies. The study explores the relationship between SETAs (sector education training authorities) and the companies within the sectors they are mandated to serve by researching the TETA maritime sub sector. The research focus is on small companies and the focus is specifically on the low rate of participation of smaller entities in the skills development landscape. The consequences of the lack of participation are investigated and the study concludes that the SETAs ability to effectively research its sector skills, as well as the SETAs ability to provide effective skills planning in support of the national agenda, are both negatively affected by current levels of poor participation. The research was conducted on small fishing companies registered with the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), in order to determine the reasons for low participation in the government mandatory grant scheme. The research is survey based across participating small companies and non-participating small companies.