Diploma in Office Management and Technology

Purpose

The Office Management and Technology qualification serves as an accessibility vehicle to all professional dimensions in the field of office and information management. On completion, students will be competent in performing administrative and information management functions. This area of study prepares students to supervise and manage the operations and human resource management function of business offices. It includes employee supervision; management and labour relations; budgeting; office systems and maintenance; office records management; office facilities design and space management; preparation and evaluation of business data.

Rationale

The Diploma develops graduates who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in Office Management and Technology (OFFMAT). Learners develop in-depth and specialised knowledge, together with practical skills through hands-on applications and work integrated learning (WIL) to enable learners to acquire the learning outcomes in the workplace. The lack of adequate office management and information management skills in South Africa creates a need for the training of good quality office employees. This qualification provides a set of very important and essential skills to support national efforts to equip prospective OFFMAT candidates to contribute to the South African economic develop. It focuses on administrative management skills, information and communication technologies and strategic management skills. The qualification, also, includes important business related modules to ensure a balanced perspective of contemporary business to inform the environment in which graduates will have to operate. The Diploma will assist in addressing national skills shortages and graduates will be empowered to take up positions as:- i) Office Managers/Administrative Managers, Personal Assistants, Secretaries and Information Managers in all sectors of the economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification will be awarded to a learner who provides evidence that she/he has achieved the stated specific outcomes (as per MUT's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy).

Entry Requirements

• National Senior Certificate with rating codes.

Or

• Senior Certificate (Old Matric).

Or

• National Certificate N4 Further Education and Training (FET).

Level 6 Modules

• Business Administration I, 28 Credits.
• Communication I, 28 Credits.
• Information Administration I, 28 Credits.
• Human Resource Management I, 28 Credits.
• Financial Accounting I or Legal Practice I, 28 Credits.
• Business Administration II, 28 Credits.
• Communication II Information Admin II, 28 Credits.
• Human Resource Management II, 28 Credits.
• Financial Accounting II or Legal Practice II, 28 Credits.
• Business Administration III, 30 Credits.
• Information Admin. III, 30 Credits.
• Office Management and Technology Practice, 24 Credits.

Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the performance of administrative duties as an office professional.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how an organisation functions.
• Apply various computer software programmes to facilitate the performance of office duties.
• Apply human resources management principles in the office environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in communication skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the application of legal principles in the context of the office environment.
• Apply basic financial accounting principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Time management and scheduling of office work skills are displayed.
• Problem solving skills are displayed in solving office related problems.
• Office administrative procedures are followed correctly in the performance of office duties.
• The organisational structure is understood and the impact thereof on office operations.
• Prepare office documents using MS Office word processing programme.
• Presentations are prepared using MS power point programme.
• Spreadsheets and databases are prepared using the MS Excel and Access Programmes.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Labour Relations Act and apply labour relations principles.
• Basic human resources management functions (recruitment, induction, job performance evaluation, on-the-job and off-job training etc.) are understood and applied correctly.
• Ability to use various means of communication in the office is displayed.
• Correct legal principles are followed in office related business transactions.
• Correct accounting principles are followed in preparing financial statements and subsidiary journals as they relate to office transactions (Petty Cash Journal, Cash Receipts Journal and Income statements).

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. Formative assessment is done so that learners are given feedback on their progress towards achieving their learning outcomes. Formative assessment includes tests, assignments, presentations, simulation, etc. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work.

Summative assessment judges the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. It also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.