Higher Certificate in Business Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate: Business Management is to prepare learners for a career in management or to proceed to higher levels of study and specialisation in the field of business management. This qualification provides learners with academic knowledge, which is imperative for a career and/or academic advancement in the field of business management. In the provision of this knowledge the learner becomes more attractive to the marketplace and thus more employable.

The qualification comprises a range of subjects including contemporary practices in the world of business management and draws upon the expertise of academics and employers. A wide range of subjects allows learners to combine skills such as general management, marketing, transition to leading others, finance for managers and human resources management. The application of skills in the business management field is enabled through the teaching and learning approach of the institution. The applicability of the skills learnt is advantageous to entrepreneurial, small and medium enterprises and benefits large organisations.

The Higher Certificate: Business Management at NQF Level 5 provides learners with the required competencies to be employed in various managerial roles in the economic sectors and will enable learners to follow different career opportunities both nationally and internationally.

Rationale

The qualification provides an exciting career opportunity for learners who are involved with or interested in becoming involved in the business management field. The field of management is a dynamic world with changes occuring constantly. The need for knowledgeable and competent managers in South and Southern Africa, with due regard for the rise of developing economies, is well understood. This programme is seen as an entry point to management and provides a gateway to knowledge which will lead to the success of the individual, in the context of managing self and teams and, in turn, the success of the nation.

The curriculum has been designed to give learners a solid foundation in the field of business management, whether in a non-profit or for-profit organisation. Many people in industry have technical know-how and competence; however when asked to step into a managerial role they are ill-prepared. In addition, new entrants to the workplace often find it difficult to contextualise the function of management, to solve problems and make decisions. This qualification will enable both skilled and unskilled people alike to broaden their knowledge and skills to be effective managers and accountable leaders.

This qualification is a response to the workplace need for competent managers across all economic sectors. Government, business and labour have expressed the current and future need for competent junior and middle managers to grow the economy. The skills, knowledge, attitudes and values required by managers are captured in this qualification.

It is assumed that the learner is

• Competent in the knowledge, comprehension and application of language at NQF Level 4/Grade 12, or equivalent.
• Competent in the provider's language of instruction.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Higher Certificate: Business Management, NQF Level 5 may be achieved in part or wholly through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning. Provision should be made for prior learning to be recognised if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes embedded in this qualification.

This Recognition of prior learning may

• Grant learners access who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Grant learners credits towards modules contained in this qualification.
• Grant learners credits towards the achievement of the qualification.

Access to the Qualification

The admission criterion for this programme is

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the English language.
• An appropriate equivalent qualification at NQF Level 4 will be considered.
• Via Recognition of Prior Learning.

Learners need to complete a total of 120 Credits for the qualification at NQF Level 5, comprising the five Compulsory Modules totalling 100 credits; and one Optional Module, totalling 20 credits.

Compulsory Modules - 100 Credits

• Business Management, 20 Credits.
• Human Resources Management, 20 Credits.
• Finance for Managers, 20 Credits.
• Marketing Management, 20 Credits.
• Transition to Leading Others, 20 Credits.

Optional Modules - 20 Credits (Choose one)

• Project Management, 20 Credits.
• Integrative Case Study, 20 Credits.

1. Explain, interpret and evaluate business management.
2. Demonstrate, explain and apply marketing management principles.
3. Analyse and present aspects of finance for managers.
4. Explain, compare and apply aspects of human resource management.
5. Analyse and evaluate the transition to leading others.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification aims to address all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The business, its environment and its challenges are explained and analysed using appropriate examples.
• The role and functions of management are explained and the required competencies are defined.
• The management and logistics of the operation are effectively defined and explained.
• The concept of a business plan is explained and the various components and contents thereof are described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The marketing environment is defined and a marketing orientation is recommended.
• The value of the management of the marketing environment is explored and discussed.
• The market selection process is described and recommendations for brand position are made.
• The new economy and social issues are considered and explained and the appropriate marketing mix is identified.
• The principles and objectives of Marketing Management are applied within the business environment.
• The application of marketing to the broader organisational function is described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The role of the financial manager within the organisation is discussed.
• The financial markets are explained and interpreted.
• The cost of capital to a company is discussed and calculated.
• The capital investment decision is explained and the concept of wealth maximisation is considered.
• The concepts of working capital and net working capital are explained and ways in which the cash conversion cycle can be shortened are identified.
• The principles of financial management in managerial decision-making are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The role of people and human resources management within an organisation is discussed and defined.
• The concept of human resource planning and staffing is discussed and explained.
• The training, development and learning processes for employees are recognised and managed.
• The management of labour relations in the workplace is discussed and understanding of the fundamentals of industrial action is demonstrated.
• The concept of strategic leadership and human resource management is considered and explained.
• The functions and roles of human resources and marketing management within the business environment are discussed.
• The principles of Human Resource Management are applied in support of the business objectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The concept of life skills is discussed and explained.
• The importance of communication and the elements associated therewith are explained and own communication skills are evaluated.
• The concepts of problem solving, decision making and conflict are described and a problem is analysed.
• The nature of leadership is defined and explained and various leadership traits are considered and described.
• The management of groups and diversity is discussed and the concepts are explained.
• The measurement of performance and its relation to the service profit chain are discussed and explained.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of competence is done through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures, which will not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way.

The purpose of assessment is to determine whether a learner has met the outcomes of the qualification in terms of theory and practice. Integrative techniques are therefore used to assess applied competence. Candidates should be required to demonstrate that they can perform the outcomes with understanding and insight.