Higher Certificate in Supervisory Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners to operate and perform at an operational level in an organisation. This will include competencies and activities like planning, organising, leading and monitoring operations within a pre-set business plan.

Upon completion of the qualification the learner will be able to apply fundamental business management principles, methodologies and techniques in order to identify and solve problems pertaining to the operational management activities in the organisations. They will also be able to provide leadership in the field of specialisation or request assistance in an appropriate manner as a team member for making the necessary preparations for establishing proper procedure for implementing operational management activities. Furthermore, the learner will be able to present and communicate information and opinions related to the field of operational management activities in the appropriate notation, using well-structured arguments, showing awareness of audience and using professional discourse appropriately.

The individual who has successfully completed this qualification will be able to gather and analyse information, identify goals and objectives, create and implement an action plan.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate in Supervisory is relevant for the country's societal and economical development. The qualification prepares the learners to operate as operational managers in the workplace and future emerging opportunities, as professionals (e.g., Project Managers, Managers in different functional areas of an organisation, etc.) in any organisation. Those who achieve this qualification can manage at an operational level in any organisation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the UNISA RPL Policy. The UNISA RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records as required.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors. UNISA lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes.

• Formal prior learning: Prior accredited learning of a learner at the FET or HET level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules should be recognised if evidence can be produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for the Higher Certificate in Supervisory and, if appropriate, allow the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.
• Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning: An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, will be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirements to this qualification are

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) at NQF Level 4 no endorsements.

Or

• Senior Certificate with no endorsements.
• National Certificate (Vocational) NC (V) at NQF Level 4.

The Higher Certificate in Supervisory comprises 10 modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 credits.

• Management, 12 Credits.
• Business Management, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Financial Accounting, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 12 Credits.
• Practicing workplace English, 12 Credits.
• Sustainability and Greed, 12 Credits.
• End-user Computing Practical, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law, 12 Credits.
• Administrative Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Human Resource Management, 12 Credits.

1. Manage resources at the operational level for the effective and efficient achievement of enterprise goals.
2. Manage and develop people to contribute constructively to the achievement of goal of the enterprise.
3. Compile a business plan with assistance.
4. Implement a business plan with assistance.
5. Set up and execute business functions, using support or experts as required and available.
6. Develop the self for improved performance (engage in self-development).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Resources to achieve operational objectives are applied.
• Work to achieve operational objectives is organised and allocated.
• Resources to achieve operational objectives are monitored and controlled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Contributes to the provision of staff is demonstrated.
• Contributes to the development of competence and capability of individuals and teams is demonstrated.
• Improvements to self-performance are developed.
• Effective working relationship is created, maintained and enhanced.
• Individuals and teams are effectively led.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Marketing, research techniques and SWOT analysis to identify and evaluate opportunities are applied, customer profiles are sketched and competitive advantage is identified.
• Financial and marketing knowledge is applied and planning as well as information technology skills in generating a business plan is utilised.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge of the business world, communication and networking skills in obtaining a support base is demonstrated.
• Understanding of the legal requirements to register an enterprise and ensure compliance is demonstrated.
• Knowledge of business practice to obtain the necessary resources is applied.
• Entrepreneurial skills to start an enterprise according to the business plan are identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Knowledge of business principles, analytical and planning skills to design and structure the enterprise according to the business functions is used.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Management skills to manage a business at an operational level are applied.
• Scanning and decision-making to identify required needs and support structures is used.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment: Continual formative assessment is required so that students are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and learners are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

The formative assessments will contribute 10% towards the student's final mark.

Summative assessment: is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement will include 'integrated assessment(s)' which test the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the exit level outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, laboratory reports or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of evidence assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module. Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the learners and which can be applied in the recognition of prior learning.