Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) was established in April 2000 after the promulgation of the Skills Development Act, No 97. 1998. Its primary objective is to influence the course of training and skills development by ensuring that all training reflects the current sectoral needs and requirements of the construction sector.

Construction Education and Training Authority initiate’s skills projects and learnerships that are aimed at improving and developing South Africa’s human resource capacity and skills base construction workforce whose skills are recognised and valued in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

In accordance with the CETA's quality driven philosophy, standards are rigorously adhered to. CETA is accredited as an Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This ETQA status authorises CETA to accredit and monitor the delivery of training by Accredited Training Providers. CETA does not offer training to the sector but, it ensures that people who have acquired skills but do not have the required qualifications, participate in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process. This will enable them to compete for positions or jobs that require some form of qualification.