Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management is to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to provide administrative support to the HR department as well as to conduct various human resource functions in the workplace to meet the increasing demand for HR Administrators 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 it reflects the intentional development of a curriculum that provides core competencies aligned to its intended purpose.

The qualification will contribute to the intended outcomes as the qualifying learners will demonstrate the following skills and knowledge:

• Apply diversity and effective communication skills in a dynamic, multi-cultural South African context.
• Identify and explain important terminology in the field of Human Resource Management.
• Analyse and apply the foundational Human Resource methodologies, theories, models and practices.
• Distinguish between the functional areas of Human Resource Management.
• Evaluate the administrative processes of Human Resource Management.
• Explain the applicability of labour relations in the field of Human Resource Management.
• Analyse the impact of Organisational Behaviour in a Business Environment.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRM) is intended to equip learners with a foundational and working knowledge of management within a commercial context and for them to contribute positively to their profession. The role of Human Resources (HR) administrators is critical to provide support to the HR Division and across the organisations.

HRM is defined as the effective use of human capital in an organisation through the management of people-related activities. It is a core function of any successful contemporary organisation and involves the human capital journey from recruiting individuals into the organisation; training and developing employees; ensuring effective people management; to exiting of the individual from the organisation.

The qualification is designed in response to the current demands for broadening access to learners into new career paths that address the national need for employable and well-trained human resource management practitioners within the growing human resources industry. The qualification is particularly well suited for learners wanting an entry-level qualification majoring in Human Resource Management. The qualification aims to bridge a gap in the academic qualification in providing an entry-level qualification that will provide a study articulation pathway into Higher Education.

Furthermore, the qualification provides alternative access for learners who may not have the necessary qualifications but are already in the workplace to begin their journey into Higher Education. The qualification allows for a clear progression and articulation process as well as a career development pathway for those wanting to pursue a career in Human Resource Management.

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

• Apply diversity and effective communication skills in a dynamic, multi-cultural South African context.
• Identify and explain important terminology in the field of Human Resource Management.
• Analyse and apply foundational Human Resource methodologies, theories, models, and practices.
• Distinguish between the functional areas of Human Resource Management.
• Evaluate and apply the administrative processes of Human Resource Management.
• Explain the applicability of labour relations in the field of Human Resource Management.
• Explore and apply the impact of Organisational Behaviour in a Business Environment.
• 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 growth and development.

The qualification is aligned to four key foundational areas for professional practice as defined by South Africa Board for People Practice (SABPP).

• Equipping learners with foundational business principles.
• Developing fundamental management competencies.
• Exposing learners to the complexities of the current world of work.
• Understanding the interconnectedness of the current world of work.

Learners will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully to the HR profession and will be able to register as an HR Technician after one year of work experience. They will be well equipped to take up roles in organisations to meet the demand for more HR Administrators and they will do so professionally and competently.

• Human Resource Officer.
• Human Resource Administrator.
• Payroll Administrator.
• Human Resource Assistant.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework, the institution 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning process is applied in two ways

RPL for access

• Applicants who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements for the qualification may apply for admission through the RPL process.
• Applicants must provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to the minimum entrance requirements of the qualification.

RPL for credits

• Credit is granted for RPL when the learner's knowledge and skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the qualification or specific module for which credit is applied.
• 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.
• Learners may apply to the institution for Recognition of Prior Learning and to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of this qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

or

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

or

• A Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with a school-leaving endorsement.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 05 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,120 Credits

• Introduction to Human Resource Management, 14 credits.
• Management: Theory and Practice, 14 credits.
• Writing for Success, 12 credits.
• Transformation and Change in the Workplace, 14 credits.
• Understanding Organisational Behaviour, 14 credits.
• Digital Literacies for the 21st Century, 12 credits.
• Diversity in the South African Context, 14 credits.
• The Business Environment, 14 credits.
• Numerical Literacy, 12 credits.

1. Apply effective communication skills and demonstrate diversity and respect for others in a dynamic, multi-cultural South African context.
2. Identify and explain important terminology in the field of Human Resource Management.
3. Demonstrate the use of foundational Human Resource methodologies, theories, models, and practices.
4. Distinguish between the functional areas of Human Resource Management.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the administrative processes of Human Resource Management.
6. Explain the applicability of labour relations in the field of Human Resource Management.
7. Understand the impact of Organisational Behaviour in a Business Environment.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Demonstrate an ability to work with and respect others and show sensitivity to diversity.
• 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 Outcomes 2

• Examine and apply appropriate key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories in the main areas of Human Resource Management and its practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Analyse and apply relevant methodologies, theories, models, and practices of Human Resource Management in case study scenarios.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Identify and explain the functional areas of Human Resource Management.
• Evaluate and apply theories, models and processes pertaining to the functional areas of Human Resource Management (e.g. to case studies).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Explain and illustrate the administrative processes of various Human Resource Management functions.
• Discuss the importance of the Human Resource Management administrative functions in an organisational context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6

• Identify the scope and purpose of all relevant South African legislation pertaining to the workplace regarding the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Labour Relations Act.
• Discuss the management of labour relations processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 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.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8

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