Diploma in Labour Law

Purpose

The intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful student a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Labour Law. The students will be able to provide a labour advisory service to unions, administer compensation and benefits claims, render assistance to unions, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration(CCMA) and private and corporate practice, apply labour practice in the Human Resource environment and participate in dispute settlement.

Rationale

Labour issues such as employee/employer disputes, wage negotiations, strikes and CCMA cases are a reality in today's business world. There is, therefore, an increasing need for competent and knowledgeable people to fulfil various roles in the Labour sector, so as to solve labour disputes fairly with the minimum of disruption to business operations and with justice and fair treatment for all parties concerned. This qualification aims to develop theoretical competencies and practical skills for individuals to effectively operate in the field of Labour Law.

This qualification is designed for learners who endeavour to pursue a career in Labour Law and Labour Relations to practice as labour brokers, human resource practitioners, union officials and labour officials. The qualification consists of formal labour and industrial relations legislation and detailed procedural prescriptions. It will prepare students for careers in both corporate as well as private labour practice in the brokerage and union environments. The learning is applicable in both the public and private sectors. The qualification also aims to develop specific skills in communication, organisational behaviour and computing. With a continuous Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component, students will be well quipped to enter the labour market.

The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where credits were not awarded.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement is

• National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4.

This qualification comprises of compulsory at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling at 382 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Introduction to the Theory of Law (Labour), 12 Credits.
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Skills 1, 10 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 1.2, 10 Credits.
• Language and Life Skills, 9 Credits.
• Labour Law 1.2, 15 Credits.
• Labour Relations 1.2, 15 Credits.
• Labour Law 1.1, 15 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 1.1, 10 Credits.
• Labour Relations 1.1, 15 Credits.
• Human Rights Law, 9 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 187Credits

• Law of Contract, 9 Credits.
• Law of Evidence, 8 Credits.
• Labour Law 2.1, 15 Credits.
• Labour Law 2.2, 15 Credits.
• Labour Relations 2.2, 15 Credits.
• Economics (General), 8 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 2.1, 10 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 2.2, 10 Credits.
• Interpretation of Statutes, 9 Credits.
• Law of Civil Procedure, 9 Credits.
• Human Resource Administration, 10 Credits.
• Labour Relations 2.1, 15 Credits.
• Local Government Law, 8 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 1 (Labour), 8 Credits.
• Occupational Well-being, 10 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour Studies, 8 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 3.2, 10 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Labour) 3.1, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 75 Credits

• Law of Delict, 15 Credits.
• Labour Law 3.2, 15 Credits.
• Labour Law 3.1, 15 Credits.
• Law of Alternative Dispute Resolution, 15 Credits.
• Legal Ethics, 15 Credits.

1. Advise and assist unions regarding the correct application of relevant labour legislation.
2. Process and administer compensation and benefits.
3. Provide a labour advisory practice to the private and/or corporate sectors.
4. Provide a support service to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration(CCMA) and other collective bargaining structures.
5. Identify and resolve disputes within the Human Resource environment and practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Collect, collate, analyse and organise information related to labour legislation.
• Apply Labour Legislations and judicial precedents to labour related issues.
• Communicate information clearly and fluently to clients.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply appropriate legal principles to applications for benefits and compensation.
• Apply critical thinking to compensation and benefits issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethics and ethical standards applicable in the sector.
• Behave ethically according to the applicable code of conduct in relation to responsibilities within a labour context.
• Use computer technology to access, process and store information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify, select and analyse information relevant to labour relations issues in the private.
• Select strategies to advise and assist the different sectors on Labour Law issues.
• Research and analyse labour legislation and court precedent to give correct advice to entities in the private and corporate sectors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and interpret appropriate labour legislation.
• Show a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge of the application of the rules, functions, powers and duties of the different collective bargaining structures.
• Collect, analyse and organise information and ideas.
• Convey information and ideas clearly and fluently in both written and spoken form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify problems and create solutions to improve current labour practices.
• Interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common outcome.
• Engage effectively and appropriately with information and communication technologies.

Integrated Assessment.

Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring qualification overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification. The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading. Timely feedback to students' forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification.