Advanced Certificate in Management
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Generic Management
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose
The Advanced Certificate: Management is an intermediate, post-school Higher Education qualification designed to equip the learner with the skills necessary to function in a variety of management contexts relevant to South African businesses. The qualification is suitable for:
- A person who wishes to enter a middle management position.
- A person who has achieved another qualification in an applied area of practice or a non-vocational area and seeks a more business-oriented qualification.
- An employed person wishing to enhance, develop, or formalize his/her skills and knowledge with a qualification in this area.
The qualification is designed to produce learners who are able to work in the varied management functions needed by most, if not all, businesses. In line with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF), the qualification is "primarily vocational or industry-oriented" and provides a sound basis for learners wishing to proceed with further studies. The qualification will thus provide an "intermediate level of higher education knowledge" and ensure that the qualifying learner is able to "apply such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace" (HEQF).
Rationale
The current skills deficit across all sectors means that there is a premium placed on staff who are qualified and able to perform across the key areas of management and administration (whether of processes, people, or information). The current skills shortage requires that employees be equipped with the skills and knowledge of several areas key to the transformation of the South African economy and that they are able to contribute to the positive performance of their employing institution.
The Advanced Certificate: Management addresses these needs at a number of critical levels by promoting the development of knowledge and skills in the areas of management, human resources, management accounting, project management, and corporate citizenship. The qualification plays a significant part, therefore, in the development of potential and existing junior managers, and successful completion of this management qualification enhances the learner's likelihood of being employed and ensures career progression possibilities.
The qualification builds the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by persons at introductory level studies. At the same time, the qualification prepares learners for further learning in the same or related areas of study, thus laying a firm foundation for lifelong learning and career development. The qualification is designed to enable learners to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required to operate confidently in and respond to the challenges of the South African socio-economic context. In this regard, it clearly addresses existing and potential skills gaps. The qualification meets the needs of many sectors for business education and management.
Outcomes
- Apply management and leadership techniques within a work environment to drive and influence performance.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects of employment relations and the core labour legislation impacting on the relationship.
- Apply strategic leadership and analyse emerging political, economic, technological and social trends that are vital to good strategic decisions.
- Analyse and interpret financial statements and utilise budgeting techniques.
- Conduct an analysis into the core management areas of an organisation as part of strategy and report on the findings.
- Demonstrate global corporate citizenship through application of the 10 basic principles contained in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) with specific reference to business conduct nationally and globally. Range: Human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: Qualifying learners will be required to demonstrate competence in the following Critical Cross Field Outcomes: Identify, systematically examine, critically evaluate and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions have been made, using critical and creative thinking. Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation. Self-manage skills development from the range of experiences and learning opportunities available. Transfer skills and continuous learning to an organisational setting.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Application of best practice management standards within a work environment.
- Implementation of good management processes and practices to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
- Establishment of authentic leadership behaviours to enhance workplace performance.
- Adoption of a variety of leadership styles for different leadership situations.
- Support of people in the work environment through sound management and leadership practices.
- Implementation of continuous improvement in a changing environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstration of an understanding of key components of employment relations.
- Debate on the interplay between employment relations and its broader environment.
- Comparison of employers' organisations, trade unions, and the role of the state.
- Comparison and explanation of core and other labour legislation impacting on employment relations.
- Demonstration of understanding of the nature and approaches of collective bargaining and negotiation.
- Understanding of key elements of industrial action and strike handling.
- Evaluation of an organisation's strategy, policy, procedures, and practices relating to employment relations.
- Understanding of industrial democracy, participation, and cooperation.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Understanding of the nature of strategy and the strategic management process.
- Analysis and interpretation of the macro-, industry-, and internal environment.
- Development of a strategy and preparation of a strategic report.
- Demonstration of understanding of strategy implementation through strategic leadership and organisational alignment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Understanding of the goal of financial management.
- Conducting a financial statement analysis.
- Understanding of working capital management.
- Application of current budgeting techniques.
- Calculation of the time value of money.
- Application of capital budgeting techniques.
- Understanding of investment decisions and financial instruments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Understanding and application of a systematic research approach.
- Application of basic quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
- Analysis and incorporation of basic quantitative data.
- Understanding of the fundamentals of organisational assessment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Understanding of the 10 basic principles contained in the United Nations Global Compact.
- Understanding of conducting business while promoting peace.
- Understanding of operating safely and ethically in the global financial markets.
- Understanding of the importance of good corporate governance from a global perspective.
- Application of insights gained in all four basic value areas to case studies and scenarios.
Integrated Assessment:
- Emphasis on the quality of assessment for credible certification and recognition of achievement.
- Application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices controlled by principles of fairness, validity, reliability, and practicability.
- Assurance of credibility in the assessment process for all parties involved.
- Provision of accurate information about the learner's performance against assessment criteria.
- Extensive use of Integrated Assessment, particularly in case studies.
- Self and formative assessment through case studies, assignments, and writing of proposals and financial plans.
- Integration of summative assessments at the end of each module.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Certificate
- NQF Level
- 06
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
Education Cost Calculator
This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.