Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Purpose

This qualification will help to address the need for entrepreneurs and small business managers.

A large demand for entrepreneurial and small businesses exists in South Africa, in particular considering the scale of unemployment experienced. Graduates will be able to identify and evaluate financing, investor and funding options, partnership models, operational requirements, target markets, product and service demands, perform competitor analysis, infrastructure requirements and processes that are critical for the successful running of businesses or business projects. They will have a good grasp of the project administration processes, human resource management and marketing principles that will underpin business success, and have the ability to coordinate the implementation and rollout of small and medium-sized business ventures.

Creative thinking will be integrated throughout the qualification to prepare learners to acknowledge and challenge conventional systems solution approaches and to help solve problems innovatively and responsibly - both collaboratively in teams and independently. Practical application that simulates workplace learning will be integrated into all core modules as exercises, assignments or portfolios that include case studies and business simulation projects.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to identify business opportunities and assess the viability thereof. They will be equipped with key business and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to create business ventures and manage and grow small businesses and establish start-up ventures and business projects. Key business concepts included in this qualification include: management principles, human resource management, using technology in business, project administration, finance and marketing. These key skills have been identified by industry experts and academics as the most relevant and important for a qualification of this nature.

Learning and application of knowledge supported with modules selected to enhance, contextualise and supplement the core learning and to support the achievement of outcomes effectively. Appropriate overlap and cross-referencing across topics and modules provide an interconnected, cohesive learning experience which will require students to demonstrate the impact of their marketing activities on the growth and sustainability of an organisation.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship will provide learners with an industry-focused vocational skillset that focuses on entrepreneurship and small business management. Learners will be introduced to critical aspects of small business management and entrepreneurship to enable them to successfully start and grow a small business or to operate as an entrepreneur. They will be able to identify business opportunities, assess the viability of each and systematically work through the required processes to bring the business to operation.

Career opportunities for graduates of this degree have been identified in entry-level positions such as

• Entrepreneur.
• Small business manager/owner.
• Project administrator.

This qualification will adequately prepare graduates to enrol for further studies at Higher Education institutions, for examination, Bachelor of Commerce.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners can achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. The RPL recognises and makes provision for relevant, demonstrated experience through formal and informal learning. Learners may apply for credits for subjects successfully completed. The RPL Policy directs the rules and processes in this regard.

Entry Requirements

• Senior Certificate (SC) with an appropriate level of achievement in the English Language.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 125 Credits.

Modules

• Business Communication, 10 Credits.
• Business Management Principles, 15 Credits.
• Business Mathematics, 10 Credits.
• Creative Thinking, 10 Credits.
• Human Resource Management Principles, 10 Credits.
• Project Management Administration, 10 Credits.
• Business Information Systems, 10 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 25 Credits.
• Finance for Small Business, 15 Credits.
• Marketing Practice, 10 Credits.

1. Communicate professionally and effectively in a business environment.
2. Identify business opportunities, develop and present a complete business plan with a viability study to establish, manage and grow one of these opportunities as a new business venture.
3. Develop a marketing plan for a new business venture.
4. Demonstrate the ability to manage key aspects of a small business in terms of its finances, human resources and infrastructure.
5. Demonstrate the ability to use information systems and technology effectively in a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Communicate information professionally in verbal and written format in a business.
• Communicate professionally in a collaborative forum.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify a variety of sources relevant to the identification of new business opportunities.
• Evaluate potential new business opportunities and prepare a viability study for selected opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify a target market for a specific business venture.
• Identify and evaluate the most appropriate approaches and promotional activities to reach a specific target market.
• Define the integration of digital marketing methods and strategies into conventional marketing plans.
• Identify the critical factors related to successful digital marketing campaigns.
• Develop a marketing plan to promote and grow a new business venture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify business functions, processes and operations critical to business success.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage people in a small business to maximise production and promote harmony in the workplace.
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and manage a small business's finances.
• Identify a variety of approaches to fund and finance a business venture successfully and effectively.
• Identify the infrastructure and resources required for different business ventures, and factors critical to the management thereof.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify good practice principles for using information and communication technologies effectively in business.
• Use relevant business and office software packages, and web-based applications to meet business objectives and targets.
• Create electronic presentations and spreadsheets using appropriate software.

Integrated Assessment

Best assessment practices are consistently applied in all assessments (formative and summative) as a matter of course.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is incorporated into all qualifications and serves the purpose of guiding, directing and measuring effectiveness of learning and teaching. Through relevant feedback, learners will receive guidance and direction to help improve their focus to maximise academic success. Various instruments are used, relevant to the subject area - this may include: assignments, activities, projects, case studies or portfolios.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment is conducted in the form of a final examination, invigilated under examination conditions. It serves to judge accomplishment of learning in context of the Exit Level Outcomes and specific module objectives. Summative assessments aim to include, as far as possible, the integrated skills, competencies and knowledge in the context of the qualification as a whole - there will thus typically be a certain level of cross-referencing between subjects and topics across the qualification. Instruments will be used for summative assessment may include one or more of the following, depending on the subject content: examinations, projects, reports and portfolio of evidence.