Higher Certificate in Business Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Business Management is to provide learners with the fundamental knowledge, conceptual and interpersonal skills to prepare them for a role or a career in business management and to teach theory and principles that will develop learners into competent individuals who can assist organisations to reach their mission and goals. This qualification offers an introduction to a career path in Business Management. The skills, value attributes, and knowledge reflected in this qualification are building blocks that will prepare learners for progression along the learning ladder.

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the Business Management environment by providing recognition and further mobility within the field. The qualification supports the philosophy of life-long learning because learners will increase their access to employment since this qualification also caters for individuals who are employed but lack the certification to perform efficiently or to be promoted.

On successful completion of the qualification, graduates will be able to seek positions in both public and private institutions. Graduates will have obtained the capabilities to perform business-related functions as well as junior management duties. This qualification will also assist learners to create their own small-scale business which is a growing field in entrepreneurship.

Rationale

As the country battles high unemployment rates, it is noted that there are insufficient applicants with qualified skills for available career opportunities. Disturbing findings on the scarcity of professionals in some fields have gained widespread coverage in the recent past following employer frustrations with finding adequately skilled workers. As a result, many South African workers and employers are now asking, which skills are most in demand by employers. Business management forms part of a learning pathway of management qualifications across various public and private industries and sectors.

The current skills deficit across all sectors means that there is a premium placed on staff who are qualified and able to perform across the key areas of business management and administration. The current skills shortage also requires that employees be equipped with skills and knowledge that are key to the transformation of the South African economy and that they can contribute to the positive performance of their employers. Employers often view higher education qualifications as an indicator of the ability to think, analyse, solve problems and communicate effectively. Unfortunately, not all school leavers meet the requirements for admission into diploma and degree studies. There is also a need for entry-level qualifications which are vocationally and industry-focused.

Statistics available from the National List of Occupations in High Demand (2022) reflect business, management, and economics on the high-demand list and thus indicate the need for business administrators and managers. The need for business managers is particularly acute since they are vital for the business or organization to function effectively due to the demanding environment in which businesses operate, both in South Africa and globally. Practitioners must be trained in the use of web-based technology and tools to function effectively within the current Knowledge Economy and succeed in the field, particularly in this competitive global economy.

The qualification offers introductory knowledge to general business administration, entrepreneurship, marketing, human resources and financial management, and computer skills within a business environment and prepares learners for a range of entry-level professional positions in Business Management. Further, it also provides opportunities for upskilling and certification of skills obtained during on-the-job training or self-study or further studies.

The qualification is highly relevant and required in today`s business world as it focuses on what is current and in demand, thus making a positive contribution to the South African economy. The NQF objectives incorporated in the qualification offer learners the knowledge and applied competence including the basic skills required for employment in a range of professional administrative positions in the business environment.

By offering the qualification, the institution will broaden access to tertiary education, since the minimum admission requirements for the certificate are lower than those applicable for a diploma/bachelor's degree. The qualification will thus

• Facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education and training career paths.
• Accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning in South Africa supports the transformation of the education and training system of the country. This calls for an approach to the development of RPL policy and practices that explicitly address the visible and invisible barriers to learning and assessment. The developmental approach must generate the commitment of all role players to remove these barriers and to build a visible, usable and credible system as an effective and creative vehicle for lifelong learning. Consensus must be reached around the criteria and support systems within which the integrity and quality of all assessments will be protected. At the same time, the opportunities and benefits of RPL must be extended to all learners and stakeholders. It is also imperative that a viable, sustainable and credible system is built for RPL.

The intuition has increasingly considered how learning that has taken place in a range of contexts may be assessed and formally recognised through accreditation. The institution's RPL process is aligned with national RPL Policies. As per the national and institutional RPL policies and procedures, RPL is applicable to all prospective candidates.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.
• The limitation of 10% of the cohort regarding admission applies as stipulated in the CHE guidelines.

RPL for credits

• The candidate must demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes indicated in the qualification to obtain credits/credit exemptions.
• This qualification may be achieved in part through the recognition of prior learning (a maximum of 50% of the credits), which includes informal, and formal learning and work experience.

RPL for exemption from modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification
• Applicants must provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module

RPL Process

• RPL-Candidate applies by completing and submitting the RPL Application Form and fees.
• A formal meeting takes place between the RPL Selection Panel and the candidate, giving him/her the opportunity to motivate the application.
• The institution will conduct a skills assessment in respect of skills not supported by evidence. Such an assessment covers the entire process applicable to a particular skill.
• Feedback is given to the Applicant by the entire Selection Panel. The Applicant will also receive a written report of the RPL assessment result.
• If the applicant is not granted admission onto his/her selected qualification, the panel refers the applicant to the learner counsellor, if necessary, to offer and explore career alternatives.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 without endorsement.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 130 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 130 Credits

• Business Management, 20 Credits.
• Business Management Practices, 15 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management, 10 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Financial Management, 20 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 15 Credits.
• End User Computing, 10 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of business management and apply basic management principles and practices.
2. Explain and implement the basic principles of financial management in a business environment.
3. Perform basic human resource management tasks and practices for the effective functioning of a business unit or organisation.
4. Perform basic marketing management tasks and practices for the effective functioning of a business unit or organisation.
5. Communicate effectively within a multicultural and diverse organisation or department, using various communication mediums and technology to establish and improve employee relations.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of business information systems via the use of hardware tools and software applications to perform various business operations and tasks.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of entrepreneurship to complete tasks and practices for small business development and entrepreneurial activities.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Define, describe, explain, and create business administration systems, procedures, techniques, and plans.
• Explain management concepts, principles and methodologies for decision-making within a commercial context.
• Discuss key opportunities and challenges that are present daily for managers.
• Describe management functions from the daily management perspective.
• Collect data from research and compile meaningful reports for various business management decision-making purposes.
• Apply effective written and oral work communication tools, approaches and techniques.
• Discuss the general management functions of an entry-to-middle manager
• Apply financial management principles processes, approaches and decision-making frameworks.
• Explain marketing management principles processes, approaches and decision-making frameworks.
• Describe Human Resource management principles, processes, approaches, and decision-making frameworks.
• Complete tasks and practices for small business development and entrepreneurial activities.
• Use hardware tools and software applications to perform various business operations and tasks.
• Apply numerous tools to a range of business-related documents.