Diploma in Human Resources Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge, capabilities and skills to execute the main roles of human resources management which include:

• Strategic planning of human resources.
• Talent sourcing, administration and effective utilisation of human capital.
• Human resources development.
• Labour and employee relations.

Qualifying learners will be capable of

• Performing human resource planning and talent management as a strategic partner of an organisation.
• Carrying out human resources practices within a workplace.
• Contributing to the improvement of labour and employee relations in the workplace.
• Managing and improving productivity within an organisation.
• Executing human resources administrative duties according to organisational practices and HR standards.
• Applying Human resource Information system skills to contribute to effective management decision making on human issues in the organisation.

Rationale

The changes in the current working environment necessitate that qualifications be responsive to such changes. Therefore, this qualification is designed to address the HR practices and standards as imposed by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP). The curriculum was designed in consultation with the SABPP and the Human Resource University Forum (HRUF). The qualification will produce learners that are competent to operationalise some aspects of the core processes and practices at a basic level across the four role clusters identified in the field analysis:

• Strategic planning for human resources management and practices.
• Acquisition, development and utilisation of people.
• Establishment and improvement of labour and employee relations.
• Compensation and administration related to human resources management and practices.

Typical learners will be matric holders, those that are furthering their qualifications and those that have been working without qualifications. Qualifying learners will work as Training and Development administrators, Labour Relations Officers, Recruitment and Selection Officers, Human Resources Officers, Human Resources Administrative Clerks, and Skills Development Facilitators amongst others. This qualification could enable the qualifying learner to acquire professional registration at the associate level with the SABPP. Learners need the qualification to increase their access to employment. It will enable learners to enter learning qualifications for relevant advanced diplomas and Degrees in Human Resources Management and Practices with a specialist focus in one or more of the four role clusters.

This qualification will serve as an indicator to organisations that the learner is competent in this regard. Organisations also need the qualification as a benchmark to gauge the competence of people in the organisation against those of their local and international competitors.

Providers of education and training in the field need the qualification to facilitate portability of learner credits between provider institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning shall be recognised, subject to the requirements of the qualification and as per institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. RPL will be used to demonstrate competence for admission into this qualification for learners who do not meet the formal admission requirement. The learner's informal work experience will be considered for RPL purposes as per the RPL Policy. Evidence of prior learning are assessed through formal RPL processes.

Entry Requirements

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 5, 240 Credits

• Accounting Aspects, 12 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques, 12 Credits.
• Business Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Applied Communication, 24 Credits.
• Human Resource Information Systems, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Business Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Labour Law, 24 Credits.
• Labour Relations 1, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Development 1, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Human Resources Management 3, 24 Credits.
• Economics, 12 Credits.
• Labour Economics 1, 12 Credits.
• Labour Relations 2, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Development 2, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Practice (WIL), 24 Credits.

1. Conduct human resource planning as part of the business process of an organisation.
2. Conduct human resources practices within the workplace.
3. Contribute to the improvement of labour and employee relations in the workplace.
4. Manage productivity within an organisation.
5. Conduct business administration duties according to organisational practices and standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse the nature of management to determine best practices for the organisation.
• Apply strategic and operational management practices in a human resource planning context.
• Develop management plans for an organisation.
• Develop diversity management plans for an organisation.
• Manage the information management system according to business process requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Manage the recruitment and selection process according to the relevant legislation and practices.
• Draw up employee contracts which are compliant with the relevant national legislation and policy.
• Manage the remuneration of employees according to employee agreements, organisational requirements and national policy.
• Implement and manage an organisational performance management system according to organisational policy.
• Develop training and developmental plans according to individual and organisational developmental requirements.
• Implement measures to promote a developmental and learning culture in the organisation.
• Draw up Common law contracts according to relevant legislation and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse the sources of legislation governing labour for implementation in the organisation.
• Monitor the conditions of service in the organisation so that advice can be given regarding the improvement of practices.
• Implement and managed a grievance process to attempt to facilitate a resolution.
• Implement and manage a disciplinary process according to relevant labour legislation and practices.
• Implement and manage a communication strategy within the organisation.
• Develop and implement an employment equity strategy in the organisation to facilitate transformation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse the dynamics of an organisation to determine productivity levels.
• Develop and implement productivity improvement plans based on productivity assessment in the organisation.
• Analyse the impact of the productivity improvement plan to determine where improvements can be made.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct Communications according to organisational practices and standards.
• Conduct meetings according to organisational practices and standards.
• Conduct planning and administrative activities in the human resource management department/section.
• Develop and manage a budget for the human resource management department/section.

Integrated Assessment

Usually, there are four assessments (depending on the nature of the module registered for) that will be done in a semester or yearly basis that count towards the year mark, with the test being the compulsory among the tasks. Learners will be assessed continuously throughout the qualification and can only gain access to the Final Integrated Assessment if they meet the requirements stipulated for each section of the qualification. Theoretical knowledge and the application of knowledge (WIL) will be measured against the identified Exit Level Outcomes using content-driven projects, assignments and practical work. The assessment of the qualification is governed by Institution Assessment Policy and the quality management system of the institution, which further ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. Summative evaluation will ultimately be in the form of a three-hour semester or year examination, which will constitute the final mark.