One of SSA's key values is to offer and co-ordinate training and career path development within a framework of commercial viability.

In this context, every individual is encouraged to realize his or her fullest potential in the workplace. It is believed that a motivated, skilled and committed workforce inevitably results in a stable and productive industry.

Each of the large estates has a training department and a training center. Training itself takes place at two levels:

• junior level - this addresses the needs of general staff such as machine operators, draughtsmen, artisans and apprentices.
  
  
• senior level - this addresses the needs of management trainees, overseers, supervisors and personnel officers.

In addition, some training courses are provided by the South African Sugar Experiment Station (SASEX) and comprise the following:

• two-weeks Juniors Certificate course in Sugarcane Production (run twice per annum).
  
  
• six-weeks Senior Certificate course in Sugarcane Production (run twice per annum).

Specific Skills courses, carried out on farm or at the SASEX Mtunzini Farm by skilled instructors.

The Technical Services Department also conducts annual training courses on a range of activities for growers on site.

Furthermore, a number of schools have been established throughout the country to meet the needs of young people before they enter the industry. Scholarship opportunities sponsored by the sugar industry for tertiary education also exist.

Giving out scholarships is a special attempt to upgrade labour or human capital. SSA is contributing towards the raising of the productivity of human capital with the hope that national production will be higher than would be the case otherwise. Accordingly, SSA operates on the hope that when students complete their study programmes, they are able to increase their productivity wherever they are.

SSA started the scholarship programme in 1976. In 2002, the scholarships were awarded to fifteen students in eight programmes – namely, soil science, agricultural engineering, mechanical engineering, mass communications, health and safety.

However, owing to the deteriorating financial situation of the industry SSA has suspended its scholarship programe (currently provides no bursaries or study assistance) save for its normal assistance provided to employees under its career and human resource development strategies.