Higher Certificate in Management

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Management aims to provide learners with a broad range of management skills in conjunction with a detailed knowledge of current management practices. Its focus is on presenting learners with a range of knowledge and practical skills that will form the foundation for a career in management or towards further studies. This qualification acts as an entry level qualification, providing learners with an introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools, and practical skills for higher education studies in their chosen field of study.

Completion of this qualification will offer learners who have a National Senior Certificate or the National Certificate Vocational the opportunity to enter a Degree qualification. The emphasis of the qualification is to provide learners with opportunities to develop functional skills in management with a particular attention to equipping them with:

• Sound theoretical management background and application skills.
• Opportunities to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and application of specific management issues.
• The ability to apply core and detailed aspects of management principles in practice.

Learners will practice their knowledge and skills in the integrated simulation project which is similar to the practical component of the qualification. Practical work is to be presented in a portfolio, which is to be submitted at the end of the qualification. The portfolio can be used by the learners in their application for employment or further studies.

Rationale

The national scarce skills list (2014) compiled by the Department of Higher Education identifies a number of occupations wherein management knowledge and skills can be seen as essential. Examples include manufacturing manager, sales and marking manager, supply and distribution manager, human resource manager, corporate general manager, project or programme manager, Information and communications technology (ICT) project manager etc. From the list it is evident that a need for generic management skills across a wide spectrum of disciplines are required.

This qualification is geared towards developing management skills that are essential for business functioning, both on a strategic and operational level. The qualification reflects the needs of the business industry by preparing learners for entry positions to strengthen managerial competencies within a variety of institutions. Management is essential for effective business functioning.

There are few opportunities for learners without university exemption to formally study management in order to enter the profession, which is the demand that this qualification aims to address. It is anticipated that qualifying learners will be able to present their accumulated credits for admission to a cognate qualifications subject to fulfilling the relevant entrance requirements. The qualification provides learners with the required competencies to be employed in various entry-level managerial roles in various economic sectors as well as to follow different career opportunities as an entry qualification to higher level qualifications.

Learners who qualify will be empowered with knowledge, specific skills and applied competence to enable them to pursue practical and rewarding careers in the business and economic environment as per occupations identified on the national scarce skills list (2014).

Career opportunities for learners who have completed this qualification will include junior positions as team leaders' entry-level managers, junior supervisors and assistants to managers. The qualification aims to develop knowledgeable, skilled individuals who will be able to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency.

The qualification is designed to enable learners to acquire knowledge, skills, attributes and values required to operate confidentially in, and respond to the managerial challenges of the South African socio-economic context. Management needs - general, people, financial, it, project, administrative, marketing - are generic across sectors and it is into this gap that the qualification fits. Within the context of developing generic management skills, the qualification has building blocks that will lead to a career path in management or entry to higher qualification levels. The qualification is structured in a way that will allow for specific competence in management towards the notion of promoting lifelong learning.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be applied for learners who do not possess the admission criteria. This qualification may be obtained in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Selected learners will be granted access to the qualification without the pre-requisite academic learning through:

• Examination of their curriculum vitae (CV).
• Interviews to establish readiness, maturity and academic abilities.
• Entrance test to establish whether prior learning is of a standard to manage the qualification.
• Letters of recommendation from colleagues or peers.
• RPL for credit exemption.

In selected cases credit will be given for prior certificated learning at South African higher education institutions in accordance with established practice. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award and the outcomes of the modules concerned. Learners who wish to apply for recognition of prior learning must do so in accordance with the RPL policy of the organisation.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Learners must have Computer Application Technology at Level 4 and be able to display an understanding of computer operations.
• Learners must have Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at Level 4.
• Can communicate what they have learned comprehensively in the medium of instruction.
• Learn to take responsibility for own progression.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

• General Management Principles,15 Credits.
• Business Management Principles and Practices,15 Credits.
• Effective Communication and Public Relations,10 Credits.
• Human Resource Management and Teamwork,15 Credits.
• Marketing Management ,15 Credits.
• Financial Management,15 Credits.
• Business Information Resource Management,15 Credits.
• Integrated Simulation Project,20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate general knowledge pertaining to management theory and practices.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the business world and related aspects such business types, micro and macro environments and the legal environment in which a business operates.
3. Communicate effectively within an organisation.
4. Explain the interrelationship of individuals and teams towards creating a competitive advantage in an organisation.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of key human resource principles that underlie effective human resource management in a business.
6. Recognise and utilise marketing as a key business management practice.
7. Use financial management principles towards informed business decisions.
8. Demonstrate general knowledge of business information resource practices.
9. Analyse and apply information critically in a simulated business environment to integrate functional areas of management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Describe the nature of management theory and the evolution thereof.
• Describe the dimensions of the Planning-Organising-Leading-Controlling (POLC) framework.
• Describe planning as a key management function that includes the nature, types, processes and planning tools required.
• Explain organising as a key management function with reference to organisational and job design, authority delegation, change and diversity.
• Discuss leading as a key management function inclusive of leadership and management styles and practices.
• Explain controlling as a key management function inclusive of its processes, areas of application and levels.
• Describe ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance as contemporary management issues within a specific environment.
• Explain ethics in business functions inclusive but not limited to marketing, public relations and information technology (IT).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain concepts, fundamentals and principles of business management.
• Describe various business enterprise types.
• Identify the impact of the environment on business practices.
• Discuss the relationship between various business functions in a business.
• Present detail on various statutory requirements in a business context.
• Describe the role of project management, quality management, change management and knowledge management in business organisations.
• Develop a basic business plan for a business environment.
• Describe the concept of entrepreneurship and identify the characteristics and skills associated with it.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe the importance of effective communication in a business.
• Engage in various forms of communication, inclusive but not limited to written, verbal, oral and non-verbal communication.
• Explain advantages and disadvantages of different forms of communication.
• Distinguish between the channels of communication within an organisation.
• Compile a communication plan with steps that present effective communication in a business environment.
• Communicate effectively with people from different cultures within a group environment.
• Use communication channels such as word-processed documents, presentations, email blogs, vlogs, podcasts, web pages, and video conferencing to communicate.
• Explain how to utilise social media for business communication with reference to the selection of appropriate online media and technologies.
• Describe the context and functions of public relations.
• Explain how public relations is practiced in business organisations.
• Clarify the link between public relations and corporate social responsibility.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Discuss and compare groups and team uses to create a competitive business environment.
• Investigate the creation of various formations of groups within a business environment.
• Explore the effective use of groups and teams in an organisation.
• Utilise the qualities of effective teams to achieve institutional objectives.
• Manage oneself within an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the theories, principles and practices of human resource management.
• Discuss key historical events and movements related to human resource management practices.
• Explain human resource management practices, including the full value chain inclusive of job analysis, job descriptions, interview process, induction, performance management, evaluation, reward, retention, etc.
• Describe legislation applied to human resource management.
• Discuss the behavioural aspects of human resource management.
• Explain conflict and conflict resolution in the workplace.
• Describe motivational methods and the relationship between motivation and work performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Define marketing, market orientation and other marketing concepts.
• Explain why marketing is a key business management practice.
• Explain the marketing process and its relevant activities.
• Understand and apply the marketing mix in marketing initiatives of a case study organisation.
• Deal with brand, product and service promotion opportunities.
• Describe the relationship between marketing function and other business functions.
• Explain market segmentation methods and provide examples of market segmentations.
• Discuss the role and importance of e-commerce and service marketing.
• Discuss the marketing mix in the context of digital (Internet/online/cyber) marketing.
• Distinguish between the different types of e-commerce.
• Indicate how target market selection can be conducted.
• Compile a marketing plan to create a competitive brand/product/service edge within a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Describe financial concepts and how money flows through an organisation.
• Discuss different sources of finance in business.
• Explain the function of costing and how costing is conducted.
• Differentiate between different types of budgets.
• Explain types of management accounting.
• Differentiate and describe basic accounting principles that are applicable to the development of a financial plan.
• Explain risk management principles as applied to a work environment.
• Analyse financial statements for improved decision-making through the use of ratio analysis.
• Analyse financial statements to determine a business organisation's financial performance.
• Draw up a budget.
• Draw up a balance sheet and income statement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Describe the managing of technology and equipment applied to workplace operations.
• Describe how information management principles are applied to a workplace environment.
• Explain the integration of systems and processes.
• Discuss the uses of computer hardware, software, databases and telecommunications technologies in terms of their various roles in information systems.
• Create computer files and explain the management and data storage options.
• Use various software applications to create and edit a business document, a spreadsheet for analysing numerical data and compile a business presentation.
• Create a database using relevant software.
• Describe the role of the Internet, World Wide Web (WWW) and online resources in business organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Identify key organisational principles and the application thereof to a case study workplace environment.
• Apply communication skills in a simulated workplace environment.
• Apply analytical and diagnostic approaches to decision-making.
• Apply the concept of branding to the benefit of a case study organisation.
• Accurately record and use financial information for decision-making within the simulated business environment.
• Use various software applications to manage business information resources in a simulated environment.
• Use communication channels such as word-processed documents, presentations, email blogs, vlogs, podcasts, web pages, and video conferencing to communicate effectively in the simulated business environment.

Integrated Assessment

The overall marks will consist of two sets of marks, i.e. formative and summative. Generally, the formative and summative marks respectively contribute 50% towards the overall mark. Each module offered at each of the levels indicated, will be examined in the form of a written examination, examination equivalent assignment or an oral examination.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment refers to assessment that takes place during the teaching and learning process. It is designed to support the teaching and learning process and is developmental in nature. It is a learning opportunity that assists in planning future learning, which indicates students' strengths and weaknesses and provides feedback to the learners.

The Formative assessments are made up of assignments. These count 50% toward the final mark. The Academic Guidelines to Higher Education Students Policy (2010) states that formative assessment will be done by means of group activities, individual activities, assignments, theories, tests, etc.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment refers to assessment that is used for making a judgement about the achievement of outcomes. Such assessments are carried out at the end of a module. Summative assessment at the institution is normally in the form of traditional examination.

The examination could be made up of a variety of assessment methods. This examination counts 50% towards the final mark. Each module offered at each of the levels indicated will be summatively assessed.