Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship is to provide the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and small business management, thereby making them more entrepreneurial and employable. The qualification further provides learners with the fundamental entrepreneurship concepts and principles and small business management and the application in real-life contexts and situations.

The qualification is intended for learners who would like to equip themselves with the skills of being self-employed instead of being dependent on a job. The qualification will thus stimulate venture creation. Furthermore, the qualification is designed to recognise the competence, knowledge and skills required for people to plan and coordinate entrepreneurial business administration functions and operations and provide business administration services in a wide range of business and organisational contexts. This qualification can provide opportunities and assist individuals to make a new beginning by starting their own businesses.

This qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to assume the responsibility, risk and rewards of starting and operating their own business. The qualification offers learners the opportunity to improve their business management skills. Finally, this qualification will prepare learners who do not comply with the minimum statutory or institutional admission requirements, for access to Diploma and Degree studies in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Apply fundamental knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, and small business management.
• Discuss the main issues, concepts, and tools of a modern dynamic entrepreneurial and business environment.
• Produce and communicate information coherently and reliably in both written and spoken language.
• Explain the business organisation as a system within the wider context of society and the business world.
• Apply knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, small business management, general management economics and basic bookkeeping.

Rationale

Entrepreneurship is the keystone to economic growth and success of developing countries in today's time. However, in a competitive and complex business environment it needs more than just passion alone. In South Africa, it is estimated that over 90% of all businesses are in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector. The qualification is to provide learning opportunities for understanding the various aspects of entrepreneurship, along with the key functional skills required to practice it.

The ever-increasing unemployment rate, the high rate of business failure and the creation of the Small Business Development Ministry provide a unique opportunity for the development and offering of this qualification. The qualification will address the Sustainable Development Goals such as Zero poverty, Quality education and innovation. The qualification will further raise the levels of employment, eliminate poverty and reduce inequality in response to the National Development Plan 2030

As part of the institution's response to the socio-economic challenges of the country and particularly the Northern Cape Province, this qualification will assist in creating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that will contribute positively to the Northern Cape economy and the country. The qualification will provide learners with the necessary knowledge, competence and skills to work (including as lead entrepreneur) in the broad field of entrepreneurship. On successful completion, this qualification will give candidates opportunities to drive economic growth in a business environment.

The qualification was developed in response to the growing need to provide learners with the necessary skills; or to further enhance their existing skills in establishing their own businesses thereby assisting in improving the economic landscape of the Northern Cape and South Africa. This qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to assume the responsibility, risk and rewards of starting and operating their own business. The qualification offers learners the opportunity to improve their business management skills.

The qualification will benefit the low skilled business owners and prospective entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape who may need entrepreneurial skills and who do not meet the entry requirements of the Entrepreneurship. It will assist learners with business ideas but limited entrepreneurial skills required to execute them. The qualification will provide access to bachelor's degrees to learners who do not meet the entry requirements It will provide an opportunity for graduates from other universities and disciplines to gain basic entrepreneurial competencies and skills without having to complete another degree. The qualification will promote entrepreneurship among the entire South African community.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's RPL policy will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advance standing within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL access

• RPL is applicable to applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements into the qualification
• 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.
• Up to 10% of the intake in any year may be approved through the recognition of prior learning, whether as the result of formal or non-formal learning (incorporating experiential learning) at Level 4, or a demonstrated functional equivalent. Mature age matriculants and applicants with level 4 qualifications may be approved for entry by the Registrar.

RPL for credits

RPL can only be applied where applicable to a specific discipline or programme offered at the institution.

• Learning from other qualifications will be treated under the credit accumulation and transfer policy and are subject to the admission and selection criteria for the specific programme.
• RPL cannot be applied to more than 50% of a qualification.
• No credits are granted but access to a qualification may be granted.
• RPL will not be awarded for a whole qualification but will consider the 50% rule.

Applicants seeking access to higher education without a formal school leaving certificate or equivalent must be referred to the relevant Programme Head. The Programme Head will decide in consultation with the relevant sub-committee of the department to the Registrar. There must be an assessment focusing on whether the applicant could reasonably be expected to complete the qualification in question.

Appeals against RPL decisions will be made to the Registrar and responded to by the relevant Head of Department in writing. The Registrar will be the final arbiter in the decision making. All learners admitted via RPL must be flagged in the ITS system as such and a record of such admissions and the learners' progress thereof must be maintained and monitored.

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 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Entrepreneurship, 14 Credits.
• Business Marketing, 12 Credits.
• Small Business Management, 14 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1A, 12 Credits.
• Enterprise Development, 14 Credits.
• Small Business Finance, 14 Credits.
• Business Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
• Core Curriculum 1A, 8 Credits.
• Core Curriculum 1B, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate and apply fundamental knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, and small business management.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main issues, concepts, and tools of a modern dynamic entrepreneurial and business environment.
3. Demonstrate the ability to produce and communicate information coherently and reliably in both written and spoken language.
4. Demonstrate the ability to explain the business organisation as a system within the wider context of society and the business world.
5. Apply knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, small business management, general management economics and basic bookkeeping.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explain concepts, terms, rules and principles of business are explained using practical examples.
• Explain and discuss the different functions of management.
• Apply Mathematical knowledge and carry out calculations in a business environment.
• Appropriately and ethically carry out all business dealings in a legal environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain and manage conflict and the importance of deadlines in a workplace through effective communication.
• Demonstrate time management and decision making in the office environment
• Verify abilities for constructive office organisation, effective office filing and troubleshooting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply communication tools in a business environment to communicate coherently with internal and external stakeholders.
• Appropriately apply basic conventions of professional discourse in writing and orally.
• Apply presentation skills using appropriate technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain the core functions of different functional departments of a business organisation.
• Discuss the business environment of a specific business to demonstrate deeper understanding of how the environment influences the business.
• Highlight the nature of the modern dynamic office environment in terms of the demands placed on it.
• Apply the tools of the modern office environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify the different source documents required in the bookkeeping department and explain where they are located and how they are used.
• Appy the rules of double entry.
• Apply subsidiary journals, the general ledger and bookkeeping practices to the different inventory systems and for creditors.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The following will be applicable and applied in a continuous and integrated manner while addressing the following

Formative Assessment

• Formative Assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management
• Formative assessment by means of which the achievements of learners can be recognised, discussed and appropriate follow-up steps planned.
• These will include assignments, class tests, small group activities, case studies and presentations.
• Formative Assessment will constitute 60%,

Practice Assessment

• Practice assessment which intends to develop mastery of skills, concepts or analytical techniques.
• This will include an integrated capstone project.

Summative Assessment

• Summative assessment to record and provide feedback on the overarching performance of a student in a systematic manner.
• This will be achieved through the writing of exams at the end of the semester/year.
• The exams will be subjected to internal and external moderation.
• Summative Assessment (final examination 40%).