Diploma in Human Resource Management

Purpose

Human Resource Business Management is a critical component in commerce. The Diploma in Human Resource Management has been developed to facilitate the learning of the knowledge and skills required by people who are capable of applying competencies to systems supporting human resource management practices. For South Africa to continue to grow and to remain globally competitive, it is crucial to increase the supply of competent people with middle to high order capabilities in such sectors as Human Resource Management.

The purpose of the qualification is to ensure learners are equipped with the knowledge, theory and methodology of the important disciplines in Human Resource Management, and to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional or academic context in this field of endeavour. The modules in the Diploma: Human Resource Management cover the application of the major functional specialisations in an integrated manner. They provide learners with a broad theoretical and practical knowledge of human resource management and development, socio-economics, industrial psychology, company law and business management, labour law and industrial relations, project management, computer literacy and research methods, as well as the contexts in which the learning and theory are most applicable.

The breadth and depth of learning achieved by learners should help facilitate access to the world of work and will promote critical and analytical citizenship.

Rationale

The Diploma in Human Resource Management is a response to the workplace need for competent managers across all economic sectors. The current and future need for competent entry, junior and middle managers has been expressed by employers and employees. The skills, knowledge, attitudes and values required by Human Resource Managers are captured in this qualification. The qualification is more generalist in nature than one offering specialist learning for particular sectors in Human Resource Management. The qualification should equip learners for one of the following careers in the fields of business and management.

- Human Resource Assistant, Practitioner, Officer or Manager specialising in

> Planning, recruitment and selection.

> Learning and development.

> Reward and remuneration.

> Safety, health and environment.

> Information and administration systems.

• Industrial Relations Assistant, Practitioner, Officer or Manager.
• Junior Researcher, Analyst, or Advisor.
• Consultant in Human Resource Management or Industrial Relations.

The qualification provides learning in fields that are broadly enabling in relation to human resource career pathways and should allow holders of the qualification to become members of relevant Professional Bodies and to continue with further studies in such fields as:

• Organisational behaviour, coaching and mentoring, counselling and mediation.
• Labour law, industrial relations or industrial psychology.
• Strategic Human Resource Management and Development.

It is assumed that learners are competent in

• Communication at NQF Level 4.
• Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credit towards the qualification such evidence may be provide by means of portfolios or other forms of appropriate evidence which may include, verified accounts of previous relevant work done and performance records and which evidence is in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Quality Council.

Learners not meeting the minimum entry requirements may be granted admission through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Access to the Qualification

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with English as one of the subjects passed and which grants admission to Diploma study.

Or

• A National Certificate Vocational, Level 4 with English as one of the subjects passed and which grants admission to Diploma study.

The qualification consists of

• Modules at NQF Level 5 to the value of 112 credits.
• Modules at NQF Level 6 to the value of 192 credits.
• Modules at NQF Level 7 to the value of 62 credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5 (All compulsory)

• Human Resource Management 16 credits.
• Human Resource Development 16 credits.
• Company Law 8 credits.
• Socioeconomics 14 credits.
• Business Management 16 credits.
• Computer Literacy I 8 credits.
• Computer Literacy II 8 credits.
• Industrial Psychology 10 credits.
• Public Relations 16 credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6 (All compulsory)

• Financial Management 30 credits.
• Human Resource Management 22 credits.
• Human Resource Development 22 credits.
• Labour Law & Industrial Relations 20 credits.
• Project Management 12 credits.
• Socioeconomics 14 credits.
• Business Management 30 credits.
• Industrial Psychology 14 credits.
• Applied Research 14 credits.
• Experiential Learning 14 credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7 (All compulsory)

• Human Resource Management 30 credits.
• Human Resource Development 16 credits.
• Labour Law & Industrial Relations 16 credits.

1. Apply general Human Resource Management and Development principles to real life situations and adhere to regulatory requirements in performing human resource functions.
2. Manage financial and technology resources in organisations.
3. Analyse data and legal information.
4. Demonstrate business management and project management skills.
5. Identify the socio-economic needs of society and display cultural sensitivity within organisations.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded in the qualification and will be assessed appropriately in the modules that constitute the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an understanding of the Human Resource Management function and scope as found in best practice.
• Apply the core general Human Resource Management practices in a business context.
• Comply with relevant ethical practice in all activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply basic financial accounting practices in own work context.
• Apply end-user computing practices to human resource management functions.
• Use software suites available in an office environment competently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of industrial psychology, with a particular emphasis on the principles and theories associated with individual, group and organisational behaviour.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the scope of Labour Legislation and the core industrial relations practices.
• Manage and interpret information and research data for Human Resource Management and Development purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply the knowledge and skills that are associated with general business management in a commercial context.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the project management scope by initiating, planning and explaining the overall conduct of a project through to the closure of the project.
• Plan and manage a project and show proficiency in project control, evaluation and scoping operational plans.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the sociological and economic principles and theories that can be used to promote equality and diversity in modern society.
• Handle conflicts in professional environments while demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrate understanding of motivation and the motivational skills that can be applied to staff.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment is essential to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved in relation to its occupational focus.

Successful learners will have undertaken an extensive process in which assessments progressively build the learners' integrated competency to a point where the learner is able to express, through a range of mechanisms measured against valid, reliable and transparent criteria, that they can operate effectively in a relevant entry level occupational position.

Formative assessment integrates the cycle of teaching, learning and assessment. Study guides and texts contain self-assessment exercises. The qualification includes formal assessments in the form of tests and/or assignments based on the learning material and students are graded and provided written feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work, limited in the number of outcomes assessed.

Summative assessments take the form of proctored examinations, or equivalent assessment such as a research report, which assesses a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a full course.