Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in the Management of Construction is to provide postgraduate education and skills development opportunities to construction practitioners, particularly those without the necessary qualifications to articulate easily into a Master's Degree through the creation of specialisation pathways. The qualification aims to address the critical areas of professional practice in the modern construction industry where capacity and specialised skills are needed for the government's infrastructure plan and the national infrastructure development needs.

The qualification is intended for learners who work in roles in the construction industry but do not have the necessary qualification to meet the requirements of the professional body. Learners will be able to use this qualification as an onramp for professional registration. Relevant scientific theories, real-life examples and research insights will be used side-by-side to provide learners with a world-class education in the management of construction. This qualification will prepare learners to lead and resolve complex situations in the construction industry and the management of construction projects creatively and competently.

In the national context, the construction industry is at a critical crossroads and facing a situation where the government has an ambitious infrastructure plan to meet the needs of the South African public, yet there is a critical skills gap that needs to be addressed urgently to help deliver the government's infrastructure plan. This qualification will help to develop critical human resources in the following specialisation areas:

• Construction project management.
• Construction management.
• Construction health and safety management.
• Infrastructure procurement and delivery management.
• Construction law and contract management.

The key purpose of the qualification is to offer the qualifying learner opportunities to enhance their career prospects and an opportunity to study further at a master's level. Other opportunities are opened through increased status as an authority or consultant within the built environment professions and the recognition of the qualification in wider society. The qualification provides an opportunity for construction practitioners to specialise in specific career pathways, some of which do not currently exist in any South African institution such as the two streams in Infrastructure procurement and delivery management, and Construction law and contract management. The curriculum streams contain fundamental and core courses that provide an opportunity for learners to gain education and competence in the management of construction projects. Learners can then opt for an appropriate combination of optional courses which will enable them to specialise in one of five areas. The curriculum, therefore, aligns to provide an intermediate opportunity for construction practitioners to acquire general competence in the management of construction and specialisation in the different areas of professional practice reflected in the optional elective courses which learners can elect to study.

The qualifying learner is expected to be competent in their area of specialisation and able to apply specialised knowledge, tools, and techniques in the analysis of complex projects and situations in their chosen area of specialisation. The qualifying learner is also expected to be competent in the use of academic and professional skills in professional communication and behaviour.

Rationale

The construction industry is undergoing a period of rapid change due to several factors. New areas of professional practice are emerging that need to be considered in the higher education curricula. Developing this qualification in construction will open a new path for learners involved in construction. The new qualification is a step towards aligning all the technology-based construction programmes offered by the department with the new requirements of the professional bodies.

South Africa is currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for infrastructure and skilled human resources. Part of this is contributed by the skills shortage, particularly in the scarce categories like engineering and related professions. According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) list of scarce skills, published in Government Gazette Vol: 578, no 36721 on 2 August 2013, there is a skills shortage in the construction management and construction project management occupations. The building-related occupations are included in the list of the DHET's List of Occupations in High Demand, published in Government Gazette no 39604 on 19 January 2016.

Therefore, the qualification has been designed to address the skills shortage in the construction sector, contributing ultimately to the National Development Plan, benefiting not only the learner but society at large. The qualification will provide higher education access to those currently being turned away as well as a significant opportunity for skills development for many practitioners in the construction sector. The qualification meets the specific needs of the sector by meeting and providing for the growing demand for registered Construction Managers.

A stakeholder workshop for this qualification conducted with representatives from relevant professional councils in the built environment field confirmed a significant need and market demand for this qualification and its areas of specialisation. South Africa has a growing need for critical infrastructure, yet the construction sector is losing critical skills to other countries. There is an increasing national need to develop human resources to deliver the government's infrastructure plan aimed to achieve better service delivery to the South African public. Therefore, in terms of benefits to the South African society and economy, the qualification will provide a local opportunity for postgraduate education and academic development in all the specialisation areas of the qualification. The qualification will contribute critical additional manpower to help meet the growing national infrastructure needs.

The qualification benefits society by allowing learners to enhance their knowledge of construction and their chosen area of specialisation. The qualification further benefits society by providing an opportunity for people with non-cognate qualifications to achieve an on-ramp onto professional qualification. The process of professional development toward qualifying as a Professional Construction Manager, Professional Construction Project Manager, or Construction Health and Safety Officer starts with the attainment of an advanced qualification that focuses on the practice of the applicable discipline. After graduation, further study and knowledge development with relevant work experience can be followed to attain the competencies for registration as a full Professional Construction Manager, Professional Construction Project Manager, or Construction Health and Safety Officer. Professional registration is not mandatory, though, for industry participation, the graduate learner can advance to the highest levels in the industry by practicing in their area of specialisation after gaining the necessary work experience. The qualification will provide a significant opportunity for learners operating in such occupations and jobs to fill in gaps in their knowledge; and will also provide them with a non-cognate graduate onramp towards professional registration which will be ideal for public sector clients especially.

The qualification is endorsed by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), which will allow learners to progress from candidacy to full registration as Professional Construction Managers upon completion of the qualification. Learners would be able to register and practice as Professional Consultant Construction Managers and may find employment within the construction contracting fraternity. Construction Managers are also employed in the mining and Petrochemical sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Construction in Construction Management, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Construction, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of the Built Environment in Construction, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Construction Management, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits. This qualification comprises five specialisations in which learners must select ONE specialisation.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Professional and academic skills, 20 Credits.
• Construction industry analysis,10 Credits.
• Procurement and contracts, 10 Credits.
• Health and safety management, 10 Credits
• Leadership and management of projects, 10 Credits.

Specialisation One: Construction Project Management

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits.

• Project management, 20 Credits.
• Construction planning and control, 20 Credits.
• Construction economics and accounting, 20 Credits.

OR

Specialisation Two: Construction Management

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits.

• Construction management, 20 Credits.
• Production and operations management, 20 Credits.
• Project resource management, 20 Credits.

OR

Specialisation Three: Health and Safety Management

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits.

• Construction health and safety management, 20 Credits.
• Environmental management, 20 Credits.
• Risk management, 20 Credits.

OR

Specialisation Four: Infrastructure Procurement and Delivery Management

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits.

• Infrastructure planning and budgeting, 20 Credits.
• Infrastructure procurement and delivery management, 20 Credits.
• Infrastructure asset management, 20 credits.

OR

Specialisation Five: Construction Law and Contract Management

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits.

• Construction law, 20 Credits.
• Contract management, 20 Credits.
• Dispute management, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of specialised professional and academic skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to a field, discipline, or practice.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field, discipline or practice for effective management of construction projects.
3. Demonstrate the ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in an area of specialisation and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production. The qualifying learner is competent to bring specialist knowledge to bear on technical analysis and decisions about construction projects.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying, or transferring an appropriate systematic and professional approach to problem-solving in their area of specialisation and unfamiliar problems in a specialised field, discipline, or practice.
5. Demonstrate the ability to operate effectively within a system, or manage a system based on an understanding of how the construction industry functions, describe key role players in construction supply chains and their functions and key factors driving demand and supply in the industry roles and relationships between elements within the system.
6. Take full responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate regarding the key infrastructure required to deliver a construction project safely in the context of its environment.
7. Critically analyse the appropriate application of procurement methods and contracts for works, professional services, and supply of goods in the construction industry.
8. Apply appropriate information technology applications and software to analyse and communicate professional issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply professional academic skills to deal with the reading, critical evaluation, review of academic material like books and research papers.
• Apply interpersonal and employability skills to develop and maintain good relationships in the professional work environment.
• Present analysis and thoughts clearly and coherently with the support of relevant ICT tools.
• Evaluate cases and reach a logical conclusion through the application of specialised scientific techniques.
• Apply a wide range of knowledge to develop appropriate solutions to problems, recognising or considering wide-ranging factors that may also impact the solution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify and apply appropriate leadership, management and governance theories, systems and interventions required for successful procurement, delivery management and unblocking of obstacles to progress in infrastructure delivery to achieve value for money and intended outcomes.
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems for construction management projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
• Apply specialised knowledge to deal with technical analysis of infrastructure delivery management issues and complex professional issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate and apply knowledge of key theories and current developments in their specialised field
• Select, apply, evaluate and/or apply the most appropriate specialised approach and solutions to problems

apply specialised knowledge to create or formulate initiatives and options.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Discuss and interpret key activities, business models and developments in the construction industry using economic theories such as demand and supply.
• Examine the role of the client and other actors in construction supply chains in the successful delivery and outcomes of infrastructure projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Design a safe environment for infrastructure delivery.
• Manage construction operations safely to avoid and manage health and safety issues appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply procurement and infrastructure delivery management frameworks in the public sector.
• Analyse the impact of different procurement and contract strategies on project outcomes.
• Select an appropriate procurement method and form of contract.
• Design an appropriate construction procurement strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the construction management projects.
• Apply relevant digital technologies and information and communication technology tools in analysing cases and creating solutions to problems.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated Assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas and actions across this qualification to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent with the purpose of this qualification. Integrated assessment will show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the Exit Level Outcomes.

Integrated Assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance, and the quality of the reasoning that lies behind it. Assessments tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Assessment within each qualification will follow the principles of integrated assessment. Both formative and summative assessment methods will be used in the qualification. Assessment concentrates significantly on the demonstration of competence to apply specialist knowledge. In those components of the programme focusing on professional competencies, assessment is performed by individual and group project work, within or simulating a professional practice environment.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment refers to a range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment procedures used to focus teaching and learning activities to improve learner attainment. Formative integrated assessment will take place during which learners are expected to participate in an assessment by members of the academic staff. Thus, there is an integration of various competence areas in the assessment plan. Further formative assessment methods include, not limited to:

• Class tests.
• Seminar presentations.
• Discussions.
• Practical work.
• Work-based projects.
• Case studies.
• Self-assessment.
• Peer assessment.

Summative assessment

The summative component of the assessment allows Learners to demonstrate their ability to analyse situations and apply specialist knowledge to develop solutions. Learners will be required to consider and evaluate relevant cases and professional issues at a level expected from an expert in the specific area of their academic plan. The assessment will thus integrate practical, theoretical, and reflective competence. Summative assessment includes, but is not limited to:

• Tests.
• Assignments.
• Research projects.
• Presentations.
• Creative production.
• Examinations.
• Oral presentations.