Higher Certificate in Business Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Business Management is to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to competently manage an organisation as well as to conduct various business management functions in the workplace to meet the increasing demand for managers in South Africa. The qualification has a real-world and industry focus and provides a basis for entry into the labour market, professional training, and a gateway to further Higher Education pursuits.

The pedagogic design of the qualification ensures that the purpose is met and reflects the intentional development of a curriculum that provides core competencies aligned to its intended purpose.

Qualifying learners will have fulfilled the following Exit Level Outcomes

• Apply the skills of understanding diversity and effective communication in a dynamic, multi-cultural South African context.
• Identify and explain important terminology in the field of Business Management.
• Distinguish between the functional areas of Business Management.
• Demonstrate the use of foundational Business Management Methodologies, theories, models and practices.
• Critically engage with and understand the dynamic business environment.
• Apply economic principles to the business environment.
• Understand the impact of Organisational Behaviour in a business environment.

Rationale

The National List of Occupations in High Demand (2018) reflects a need for managers with six out of the top ten list being managerial needs across different economic sectors. The need for corporate managers holds 10th place on the list, reflecting a great need for individuals in the profession. In addition to this, the World Economic Forum rates the business field as one of the most likely to create global employment. This qualification is therefore a response to this need in the workplace for more competent managers in the country and globally.

This qualification is a response to the current demand for broadening access to learners into new and relevant degree offerings that address the national need for employable and well-trained managers within the business industry. Given that South Africa embraces diversity and organisations are transforming, the importance of the role of the business manager is to ensure that both people and the organisation function effectively. The workplace is diverse and ever-changing, management will need to adapt and be flexible to changes internally and externally. These changes include, but are not limited to the economic landscape as well as the political, financial and social landscapes which all affect the business environment.

The institution has been attentive to this challenge and innovative in designing this qualification to be one that truly speaks to what is needed in South Africa. From a stakeholder perspective, the rationale behind this qualification is to:

• Create work-ready individuals who are either entering the workplace for the first time or who are already working or need to upskill.
• Scale-up human capacity to understand and manage organisations effectively.
• Provide necessary academic skills to pursue further studies in Higher Education.

Qualifying learners will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully to organisations as competent managers. They will be well equipped to take up roles in organisations to meet the demand for more managers and they will do so professionally and competently.

The foundation for understanding the various facets of business lies in having knowledge of business management. It is therefore important for an individual to have a well-rounded general view of all business functions to be able to make effective decisions that will benefit the organisation.

It is anticipated that the qualification will draw a range of learners from those who have just completed high school to those who are already in the workplace and require a qualification or further training. The qualification prepares learners to enter into the workplace and function in roles in general management, business consulting as well as possibly becoming business owners themselves.

Qualifying learners will be well equipped to take up roles in organisations to meet the demand for more managers and they will do so professionally and competently.

The qualifying learners will not only be prepared to work in the management field but they will also experience the

following

• Have grown in personal character through their ability to self-reflect and be self-aware;
• Have an appreciation for diversity, transformation and change and display both self-respect and respect for others;
• Have become more professional in their own presentation of self;
• Be able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community;
• Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in both written and oral formats;
• Have self-understanding and acknowledge that they are part of a related system;
• Be life-long learners, seeking to continue their own growth and development;
• Meaningfully contribute to the development and effectiveness of both individuals and organisations;
• Be responsive to both individual and organisational needs;
• Be equipped with the knowledge and skills of business management to effectively contribute to efficient and effective organisations and staff.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework, SACAP supports wide and diverse access to higher education and, therefore, while there are minimum entry requirements, provision is made for an RPL entry route within the framework of national guidelines for higher education institutions. The RPL policy requires learners to provide evidence that previous learning took place.

Admission into a qualification

• Evidence of other forms of prior learning is evaluated for equivalence against the minimum entrance requirements of a qualification.

Advanced standing for a particular module(s) in a qualification

• Evidence of other forms of prior learning is evaluated for equivalence against the learning outcomes of particular modules at the lower levels of qualification for advanced standing.

Exemption from a particular module(s) in a qualification

• Credits can be given for exempted modules for the new qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A National Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• A National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• A Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits

• Introduction to Business Management, 14 Credits.
• Introduction to Microeconomics, 14 Credits.
• Writing for Success, 12 Credits.
• Effective Functions in Organisations, 14 Credits.
• Understanding Organisational Behaviour, 14 Credits.
• Digital Literacies for the 21st Century, 12 Credits.
• Diversity in the South African Context, 14 Credits.
• Introduction to Macroeconomics, 14 Credits.
• Numerical Literacy, 12 Credits.

1. Apply the skills of understanding diversity and effective communication in a dynamic, multi-cultural South African context.
2. Identify and explain important terminology in the field of Business Management.
3. Distinguish between the functional areas of Business Management.
4. Demonstrate the use of foundational Business Management Methodologies, theories, models and practices.
5. Critically engage with and understand the dynamic business environment.
6. Apply economic principles to the business environment.
7. Understand the impact of Organisational Behaviour in a business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity and ability to work with and respect others.
• Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, either in writing, verbally or in practical demonstration.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe the main areas of business management and its practices, in relation to key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories, as appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and explain the functional areas of business management.
• Apply theories, models and processes pertaining to the functional areas of business management to case studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe and apply the relevance of methodologies, theories, models and practices of business management (e.g. to case study scenarios).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse the nature and structure of the business environment.
• Apply and evaluate best practices of management within the business environment.
• Analyse internal and external factors affecting the business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify and explain micro-and macro-economic concepts and theories affecting the business environment.
• Apply economic concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Identify and explain individual, group and organisational levels influences on the business environment.
• Apply organisational behaviour theory, concepts and models, within the domains of workplace motivation, leadership, and group and team dynamics to real-world examples.