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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Human Resources 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110043  Higher Certificate in Human Resources 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Human Resources 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-07-25  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is designed to enhance the employability of learners by equipping them with basic human resources knowledge and skills, which will enable them to occupy entry-level/junior or support positions in both the private and the public sectors. Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to work in the human resources department of an organisation as assistants to human resources practitioners; and as administrative staff (e.g. responsible for capturing data and maintaining personnel records).

The eight modules in the qualification were coherently planned, in terms of content, credits, purpose and outcomes, so that they were aligned to the needs of all types of organisations for employees with basic human resources knowledge and skills. While the four fundamental modules in the programme address the need for general knowledge and skills required in the workplace, the four core modules in the qualification address the need for foundational knowledge and skills in the human resource management field.

Rationale:
According to the National Development Plan (NDP), education is the critical enabler for economic development and growth in South Africa; it also defines learners' identity; enables them to take control of their own lives; raise healthy families, and plays a meaningful role in the broader development of society. In the above regard, the Higher Certificate in Human Resources will not only improve the employment prospects of the qualifying learners, but it will also contribute towards meeting the needs of commerce and industry for employees at entry-level/junior or support positions with basic human resources knowledge and skills, thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth and development of South Africa.

Moreover, the qualification will broaden access to a tertiary education for many people, as the minimum admission criteria are lower than that for the Diploma programme in Human Resources. Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to articulate into Diploma in Management Sciences, with a specialisation in Human Resources, or into other relevant Advanced Certificate and Diploma qualifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience).

The learner's portfolio will be assessed against the relevant learning outcomes, and credits/exemption may be granted for some modules in the programme, and/or admission may be granted into the programme.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) NCV Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
  • Financial Literacy, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
  • Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Organisational Behaviour, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Labour Relations, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Training and Development, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the key concepts, terms and principles within the field of human resources.
    2. Apply basic operational knowledge within the context of human resources in an organisation.
    3. Express independent ethical judgements regarding organisational issues and contribute to ethical standards in human resources.
    4. Communicate information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of the key concepts, terms, principles, and practices within the field of Human Resources.
  • Explain the concepts of ethics and corporate governance in human resources.
  • Demonstrate the basic underlying concepts and practical application of the fundamentals of human resource finance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply basic operational knowledge within a human resource environment.
  • The concepts of training and development and labour relations in the organisation are applied.
  • Apply basic IT knowledge and skills to a human resources context.
  • Demonstrate the ability to leverage basic human resource concepts to an organisational context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explain the difference between ethical and unethical human resources practices.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant legislation pertaining to labour relations and training and development.
  • Identify and present performance gaps, and basic measures to improve employee motivation and interpersonal relations and reduce workplace stress.
  • Explain the concepts of ethics and corporate governance in human resources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate human resource terminology to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • Communicate using appropriate techniques, language, structure, style and graphical support.
  • Apply basic IT knowledge and skills to a human resources context.
  • Demonstrate understanding of human resource information systems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will be systematic, regular and formative, and feedback to the learners about their progress toward exit level competence will be timeous and constructive, and according to the institution's policy.

    Foundational knowledge embedded in the fundamental modules, which are offered in the first semester, will be integrated into the assessments for the core modules in the qualification which are offered in the second semester. The integrated assessments will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and may include written tests, assignments, and presentations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United States of America.
    Institution: Harvard Business School.
    Qualification: Certificate in Human Resource Management.

    Similar Modules:
  • Financial Management.
  • Information Technology.
  • General Management.
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management.
  • Introduction to Ethics and Corporate Governance Statistics.

    Country: France.
    Institution: Higher Education Commerce School of Management.
    Qualification: Certificate in Human Resource Management and Development.

    Similar Modules:
  • Organisational Communication.
  • Human Resource Administration.
  • Managing Workplace Conflict.
  • Financial Management.
  • Human Resource Development.

    Country: Egypt.
    Institution: The American University of Cairo.
    Qualification: Certificate in Human Resources.

    Similar Modules:
  • Financial Planning.
  • Administrative Management.
  • Training and Development.
  • Ethics and Corporate Governance.
  • Organisational Behaviour.

    Country: Kenya.
    Institution: United States International University of Nairobi.
    Qualification: Certificate in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour.

    Similar Modules:
  • Fundamentals of Organisational Behaviour.
  • Introduction to Human Resource Administration.
  • Financial management.
  • Communication Management.
  • Introduction to Training and Development.

    Based on the review of the above-mentioned qualifications, it is deemed prudent to include a Financial Literacy module as well as an information technology ("Introduction to Technology") module into the programme, and to include elementary aspects pertaining to human resources into the qualification in the four human resource aligned modules. Moreover, the curriculum structure of the Certificate in Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour offered by the United States University of Nairobi had the greatest influence on the curriculum structure of the Higher Certificate in Human Resources. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers the following horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Marketing, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Management Sciences, with a specialisation in Human Resources, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Durban University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.