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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Relations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110319  Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Relations 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Relations 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification is designed to ensure that leaners are trained in the competencies of labour law as required to practice as Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) Commissioners, Bargaining Council Panellists and labour law generalists. The qualification provides an industry appropriate and relevant course to train labour practitioners and give them a deeper understanding and develop their knowledge and skill in labour law. It equips professionals with an appreciation of the legal, ethical principles applicable to industrial relations and labour law, and contributes to the professional development of labour practitioners. Further, the qualification aims to equip practitioners with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required for competent practice in this field.

Rationale:
This qualification provides an industry-appropriate and relevant course that provides labour practitioners with advanced knowledge in the field of industrial relations and labour law, aligned with constitutional imperatives and current societal realities. Consequently, the rationale is to provide and develop an understanding, knowledge and skill in labour law and industrial relations; to equip professionals with an appreciation of the legal and ethical principles of labour law and to contribute to the professional development of labour practitioners. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

A learner 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.

A learner who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial Psychology, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 136 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 136 Credits:
  • Procedural Labour Law A, 16 Credits.
  • Management of Conflict, 16 Credits.
  • Procedural Labour Law B, 16 Credits.
  • Contemporary Issues in Labour Law, 16 Credits.
  • Individual Employment Law, 24 Credits.
  • Labour Dispute Resolution, 8 Credits.
  • Collective Employment Law, 16 Credits.
  • Industrial Relations, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic understanding of industrial relations theoretical knowledge and its application in South Africa.
    2. Analyse and critically evaluate complex issues in Industrial Relations.
    3. Appreciate the unique Industrial Relations challenges in the South African context.
    4. Understand the best business practices related to collective bargaining, worker's participation in decision-making, and grievance and dispute settlement.
    5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the general principles related to South African labour Legislation.
    6. Demonstrate an understanding of the social justice mandate for commissioners in terms of the labour relations act and the constitution.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics and values required of commissioners and arbitrators.
    8. Apply the interpersonal skills required by commissioners.
    9. Demonstrate awareness of diversity requirements.
    10. Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of labour law and labour legislation in South Africa, in such a way that this knowledge can be applied to resolve and determine labour disputes demonstrate the ability to read, analyse and apply relevant case law and display competence in applying the law to practical situations.
    11. Demonstrate an understanding of the labour law amendments.
    12. Develop an understanding of the dispute resolution system in South Africa and the skills and ability to effectively conciliate, mediate and arbitrate a labour dispute.
    13. Develop an understanding and knowledge of the law of evidence as it applies to labour arbitrations and the skill to apply this knowledge when arbitrating a dispute.
    14. Develop competence in legal writing, drafting and advocacy to effectively practice as a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) commissioner and bargaining council panellist.
    15. Research independently, to evaluate critical, to write articulately and accurately.
    16. Explain and critique own practices in the field of Labour Law. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Understand concepts, theories and principles and demonstrate critical reasoning.
  • Utilise appropriate techniques/methodologies for the effective presentation of an argument.
  • Access, analyse and interpret data and information.
  • Think creatively and utilise critical reasoning to place data and information in context.
  • Work with others in groups or through networking.

    Integrated Assessment:
    A range of assessments methods will be utilised. The qualification will develop research capacity amongst Learners by seeking to develop the capacities of leaners to read, critique and evaluate content and engage critically with material and case work. Learners will be required to submit assignments where it will be necessary for them to undertake independent research. The learning outcomes at module level will be assessed in an integrated way to ensure the achievement of the overall programme learning outcomes. Assessment methods will include written tasks, and practical exercises and students will be required to demonstrate a required level of skill and understanding to practice effectively as a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) commissioner, arbitrator and labour generalist. Moderators and external examiners will be selected based on experience and competence in the field and requisite qualifications as well as in-depth knowledge of the material.

    Assessment methods will include written tasks, and practical exercises and leaners will be required to demonstrate a required level of skill and understanding to practice effectively as a CCMA commissioner, arbitrator and labour generalist. Formative assessment through written assignments in which leaners engage with the literature demonstrate and reflect on their knowledge and understanding of a relevant topic and adhere to the conventions of academic writing. Oral presentations using PowerPoint. Practical exercises to assess skills. Monitoring participation of leaners in class. Summative assessment through tests incorporating both theory and practice and three-hour examination which will be externally examined. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts: Labour and Industrial Relations, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.