Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management is to strengthen and deepen the learners' or working professionals' knowledge of Labour Relations Management by stimulating advanced reflection and application of theory on a strategic level. The Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management also envisages empowering learners to independently identify, analyse and manage labour relations issues, procedures and practices. Furthermore, it offers learners an understanding of the constructive role they need to play as specialists in the labour relations field.

The modules will assist learners in acquiring discipline-specific and industry-relevant knowledge and theory, relevant skills (e.g. visual, presentation and language skills, critical and creative thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and reflection skills).

Rationale

The qualification will assist in filling the HEQSF gap during the phasing out of Bachelor of Technology (BTech) qualifications at all Universities of Technology and open up articulation possibilities to Masters and Doctoral qualifications. The South African labour market faces rampant labour disputes and strikes emanating from retrenchments, conflicts, refusal to bargain, and negotiations' deadlocks which all negatively impact on the economy. This qualification intends to develop and produce experts who will critically and rationally deal with the labour relations as mentioned above problems to protect the South African economy. The Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management offers specialised academic and professional studies for learners holding a relevant Bachelors' Degree, Advanced Diploma or equivalent qualification.

With the phasing out of the B-Tech qualifications at all Universities of Technology, the qualification is opening up articulation possibilities to enhance access to higher-level qualifications. The Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Relations Management is for learners who completed a relevant and equivalent qualification. This qualification is aligned with the HR competency framework and the National HR standards of the SABPP, to meet the requirements of the industry. However, registration with the SABPP is voluntary, and registration needs to be done by the learners themselves. Learners from an accredited institution are exempted from sitting for Board Exams. The teaching, learning and assessment aspects incorporate applied approaches whereby learners are actively and interactively involved in the learning process, giving them the comparative edge in the Labour Relations Management discipline.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification may be granted, according to policies governing higher education, to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses provided they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the qualification as required by the fundamental, core and elective areas stipulated in the Qualification and Exit Level Outcomes.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process may be used to credit learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of the workplace and work-integrated learning. Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to assessment. They may be required to provide a portfolio of evidence in the prescribed format to be accessed for formal recognition.

The institution will use the principles of RPL to assess two broad kinds of prior learning for credit

• Recognition of prior accredited learning. (Formal RPL) The current qualification can be completed through recognition of unit standards, modules or qualifications obtained at accredited institutions.
• Recognition of prior experiential learning. (Work experience, Informal, Non-formal) Recognition of prior experiential learning (work experience) is based on the principle of matching previous learning with the learning outcomes of a target qualification and by this means, 'translating' the prior learning into the 'levels and credits' of the qualification framework in the formal system. This refers to learning acquired in an 'uncredentialled' context, such as through work experience or life experience.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8, totalling 126 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8

• Labour Relations Management 1, 10 Credits.
• Labour Relations Management 2, 10 Credits.
• Labour Economics 1, 10 Credits.
• Labour Economics 2, 10 Credits.
• Advanced Labour Law 1, 10 Credits.
• Advanced Labour Law 2, 10 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 8 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 8 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour 1, 10 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour 2, 10 Credits.
• Research Project in Labour Relations Management, 30 Credits.

1. Apply competencies in assisting with the development and implementation of a labour relations strategy for an organisation.
2. Strategically manage and develop effective workplace relations.
3. Contribute to the development of employment policies and structures in the workplace or sector.
4. Apply labour relations strategies to ensure the achievement of business goals.
5. Evaluate and monitor labour market trends.
6. Engage in related research to address workplace problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply advanced integrated knowledge, specific skills and competencies to investigate, interpret, plan, develop and implement labour relations strategies for organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Interrogate organisational communication, theories, models, principles and macro sources of knowledge for strategically managing and developing a productive workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply and demonstrate advanced knowledge, contributing to the development of employment policies and structures in the workplace or sector on a national and global level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Integrate and apply strategic labour management principles and practice, specific knowledge of policies and legislation and labour relations strategies to ensure the achievement of business goals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Evaluate, monitor and critique labour market complexities and trends which can include but not limited to organisational behaviour, culture and diversity, labour supply, demand and management, disputes, wages and costs, trade unions, unfair labour practice, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Conduct related research to address workplace problems to design, manage and execute a project within the South African labour markets.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment: A combination of assessment tools (tests, individual and group assignments, presentations, case studies and projects) are utilised to monitor learner progress continuously. Feedback is provided within seven working days, and underperforming learners are provided with an opportunity to be re-assessed after receiving detailed feedback and recommendations for improvement.

Summative assessment: An integrated portfolio is used at the end of a semester to evaluate the achievement of learning outcomes. Unsuccessful learners have a second opportunity to submit the portfolio. All summative assessments are moderated externally.

This qualification consists of several modules. Apart from advanced labour law which is assessed through formative activities and a summative examination at the end of each semester, all other modules are CASS evaluated continuously through various activities that entail but are not limited to tests, assignments, case studies and presentations. The weighting of the multiple assessment activities and the number of activities executed in each module are individually tailored to the specific modules according to the module requirements; and are not universal.

In this qualification, we applied assessments whereby students must demonstrate practical and reflective competencies.