Higher Certificate in Office Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate: Office Administration is to prepare learners for a career in business or to access higher levels of business management study. This qualification primarily prepares the learner with basic business and office administration skills at the operational level and with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools for further higher education studies in the chosen field of study.

This qualification signifies that the learner is capable of applying operational knowledge and competence in the role of an entry level junior business administrator. This Higher Certificate qualification reinforces the learner's technical knowledge and competence with the inclusion of work integrated learning.

Rationale

The qualification is intended to provide learners with access to the labour market. It will provide learners with the necessary skills to enter the job market and generate economic growth in their personal lives and their households. Hence, the qualification will have relevance for all learners.

The providing institution is compatible with current priorities of government to increase post school learner access and success in higher education.

It is assumed that the learner is competent in the language of instruction (English) at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to grant learners

• Credits towards the qualification.
• Who do not met the minimum entry requirements access to the qualification.

Any learner wishing to be assessed for RPL may arrange to do so.

For Recognition of Prior Learning the learner will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence of relevant experience, in a prescribed format, to be assessed for formal recognition.

Access to the Qualification

Any learner will be allowed into the programme if he/she has a

• National Senior Certificate.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4.
• Further Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 4.

All 13 modules have 10 Credits each and are compulsory

• Office Administration 101.
• Office Communication 101.
• Accounting 101.
• Business Law.
• Marketing Management.
• Business Computing.
• Office Administration 102.
• Office Communication 102.
• Accounting 102.
• Public Relations.
• Administrative Practice.
• Human Relations.
• Work Integrated Learning.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of general office administrative practices and principles.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal environment for sound business practices.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant business related laws and policies.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts related to communications in the office environment.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of accounting policies and practices and the importance of accounting in the office environment.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of marketing management and its importance to business development.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to business computing practices.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of an administration employee in an organisation.
• Apply knowledge of goal setting to manage administrative functions.
• Explain the role of information systems in the office.
• Demonstrate understanding of how the mailing system operates in an organisation.
• Demonstrate competence as a receptionist as an integral part of office administration.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the organisation's filing systems, policies and procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Relate the purpose and the functions of the relevant law.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of the relevant legal principles for the business.
• Explain how and when a contract is created and the rules that apply to all contracts.
• Demonstrate the difference between void and voidable contracts.
• Describe contracts in restraint of trade.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate knowledge of the nature, sources and classification of the law.
• Describe the law of purchase and sale.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the law governing credit agreements.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of the law of employment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the law of partnership.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the law governing securities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate understanding of the nature and the role of oral, graphic, written and visual communication in the work environment.
• Produce examples of good written communication in the workplace.
• Write notices, agendas, minutes and business reports.
• Respond to written communication in the workplace.
• Describe the communication barriers in the cultural context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Define accounting and explain the need for accounting.
• Define and apply the principles of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
• Draw up a trial balance and explain the function of the trial balance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Distinguish between a specific marketing orientation and other management orientations.
• Identify the elements of the marketing environment and illustrate its dynamics.
• Demonstrate an understanding of marketing communication.
• Differentiate between market segments and apply a segmentation process.
• Demonstrate an understanding of consumer behaviour.
• Demonstrate the ability to relate pricing issues to marketing decisions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of marketing communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Differentiate between various Business Information Systems.
• Use computer systems terminology fluently, including its application in describing and analysing business situations.
• Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two basic kinds of software.
• Define general data management concepts and terms, highlighting the advantages of the database approach to data management.
• Briefly describe how the Internet works, including alternatives for connecting to it and the role of Internet service providers.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment at this level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across modules to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification.

During integrated assessments the assessor will make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Input to completing the Integrated Assessment typically makes use of combinations of the following assessment methods:

• Time-constrained written examinations.
• Coursework Evaluations.
• Continuous Evaluation.
• Practical Evaluation.

Work Integrated Learning assessments also provide for integrated assessments of the various disciplines that comprise the curriculum of this qualification.