It was the first time that the newly established Department of Higher Education and Training presented the Budget Vote 16 to the committee. It is clear that the department is faced with an ultimatum task of transforming the post school education system as well as responding to the needs of the 2.7 million youth who are neither employed or being training. The committee remained extremely concerned with the capacity of the department in relation to the delivery of its mandate. The committee would recommend that the department make an impact in the skills development sector including the SETAs within a period of two years. The committee requested that the planning of the department should be linked with the needs of society. The strategic plan of the department did not provide necessary information on the timeframe on output of activities and according to the committee this is a shortfall in its performance.