SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Higher Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality in the Accommodation Sector

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110944	Higher Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality in the Accommodation Sector
ORIGINATOR
NewBridge Graduate Institute (Pty)Ltd - Bank Avenue (formerly Centurion Akademie (Pty) Ltd)
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 11 - Services		Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure
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	2019-08-08	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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
123428	Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The aim of the Higher Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality, with specialisation in the accommodation sector, is to equip learners with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to become confident and independent and to be able to make responsible contributions to the ever changing industry of Tourism and Hospitality.

The purpose of this qualification is to teach learners:

To address the growing interest from the public in Tourism and Hospitality.

To apply their knowledge and skills so that they can become valuable human resource assets to the accommodation sector of the growing Tourism and Hospitality industry.

To contribute their values and attitudes to the benefit of their co-workers and the social environment.

To apply their acquired Tourism and Hospitality knowledge and skills ethically and responsibly.

To analyse and interpret information in order to make informed decisions.

To communicate effectively in the business environment.

To understand and participate in activities that will promote effective business relations.

To demonstrate the ability to manage and organise themselves effectively within the context of their field of study.

To represent the accommodation sector in the Tourism and Hospitality industry with their theoretical and vocational knowledge and skills.

The theory and practice required as a foundation in the field of Tourism and Hospitality and its associated professional bodies.

To function in the vocational areas of the accommodation sector in the Tourism and Hospitality industry, to meet the high standards and the requirements set by the industry and to be able to compete nationally and internationally.

Rationale:
The Higher Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality is specifically designed for young adults wishing to enter the industry and who aspire for a management career in this industry. The qualification offers learners an academic education together with core competency training. It can also benefit people looking to obtain the necessary specialised knowledge when considering opening their own business.

The tourism industry is one of the only sectors in the South African economy which shows a constant year on year growth. It is thus an expanding industry with lots of opportunities. It creates jobs and attracts constantly new employees.

Many tourism qualifications focus only on tourism managerial aspects and not as such on the operational aspects. This qualification covers both aspects. The qualification seems to be unique as not a lot of qualifications seem to cover tourism and hospitality, as well as operations and management aspects in one qualification.

During the course of this qualification, learners will develop skills, alongside extensive travel, tourism and hospitality knowledge that they will be able to apply in a number of professional roles across a wide range of industries. This certificate will open up a vast range of professional opportunities such as to start a career as a switchboard operator, receptionist, reservationist, guest relations officer, housekeeper, food and beverage attendant or a conference/banquet attendant in the accommodation sector in the Tourism and Hospitality industry, and even later to become a Business Development Executive, Hotel Manager, Travel Consultant, Operations Manager, Tour Manager, and Travel Agency Manager.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part of the qualification. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner should demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of an Integrated Assessment.

This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for accelerated access to further learning. All recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education and Training Quality Assurance Body and is conducted by a registered workplace assessor.

The purpose of RPL is to recognise all forms of prior learning in order to:

Widen access to Higher Education through admission to qualifications;

Grant advanced placement;

Facilitate mobility and progression within the career paths and qualifications.

The following quality assurance standards are explained with regards to the implementation for access and admissions:

Academic standards

Credit is awarded for competence (demonstrated learning) only, not for experience.

Competence refers to the ability to act in ways that reflect internalised knowledge, skills and attitudes which are best described in terms of four kinds of competence: foundational, practical, reflexive and applied competence.

Credit is awarded only for learning that is aligned to the learning outcomes of the qualification.

Credit is awarded only for learning that has a balance between theory and practical application, appropriate to the module.

Credit is awarded only for learning that has the required breadth and depth of the module to the minimum level of competence.

Appropriate subject matter and academic experts with assessment experience determine competence levels and credit awards.

Credits must be appropriate to qualification in which they are accepted, and make a clear link between the career path and the learning outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualification.
Or

National Senior Certificate granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,120 Credits:

Rooms Division Operations, 30 Credits.

Basic Conferencing Skills, 10 Credits.

South African Tourism, 20 Credits.

Food and Beverage Skills, 20 Credits.

Food and Beverage Preparation, 20 Credits.

Experiential Learning, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the main areas within the accommodation sector of the Tourism and Hospitality industry including front office, housekeeping, conferencing, food and beverage and general knowledge of South African tourism.
2. Understand key terms, concepts, laws, principles, rules and theories in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
3. Know and understand the principles and practice of client relations and service standards and how it relates to the Tourism industry and its demands.
4. Understand the operation, functions and applications of both the practical and academic aspects of the industry.
5. Evaluate, select and apply of appropriate Tourism and Hospitality operations techniques and skills according to particular industry accepted methods, policies and procedures within the context of client relations.
6. Identify and deal with challenges in an unfamiliar industrial field related to the accommodation sector in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
7. Apply known theory and skills to solve unfamiliar problems within the context.
8. Recognise when problems fall outside their scope of practice and know who to refer it to.
9. Make decisions and act with full cognisance of ethical implications such as intellectual property issues, privacy, copyright and confidentiality within the context of the Tourism and Hospitality profession, including the optimum and correct application and use of appropriate computer software, proprietary processes and data management and security.
10. Evaluate appropriateness of different sources of information such as the quality and legitimacy of open source information pertaining to the Tourism and Hospitality industry, such as the evaluation of internet and textbooks.
11. Adequately select the most appropriate information related to the task and to apply well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation based on acquired appropriate information.
12. Draw up a project or task proposal with effective designs and a product report with operational instructions that will communicate the design and complex management systems to a colleague and/or client.
13. Compare and evaluate systems operating within a specific context and indicate the relationships (present and absent) that characterise different tourism service systems and their potential impact on each other. Suggest appropriate actions to address identified problems.
14. Apply criteria pertaining to tourism service systems to accurately identify and address their own task-specific learning needs in a given context and support the learning needs of others.
15. Effectively complete group tasks identified by a competent team and/or industry. Take responsibility for their own decisions and actions and those of others in the group. Apply and utilise resources showing a high level of responsibility.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:

Demonstrate an informed understanding of the core areas, disciplines and practices in the Tourism and Hospitality in the Accommodation Sector, as well as an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of this field.

Demonstrate an awareness of how knowledge develops and evolves within Tourism and Hospitality in the Accommodation Sector.

Select and apply standard methods, procedures and techniques within the Tourism and Hospitality Accommodation Sector, and to plan, manage and implement a process within a well-defined, familiar and supported environment.

Identify, evaluate and solve defines, routine and new problems within the Accommodation Sector of Tourism and Hospitality, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to this field, by also demonstrating the consequences.

Take account of, and act in accordance with prescribed Tourism and Hospitality ethical codes of conduct, values and practices, and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary.

Gather information from a range of sources, to select what is appropriate, and to apply the basic process of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information.

Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate for Tourism and Hospitality, with an understanding for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.

Operate in a range of familiar and new contexts, and demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationship between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact the associated areas within the same system.

Evaluate own or other's performance, and to take appropriate action where necessary; to take responsibility for own learning with a structured learning process; and to promote the learning of others.

Account for own actions, to work effectively with respect for others, and in a defined context, to take supervisory responsibility for others and for the responsible use of resources, where appropriate.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The outcomes, assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and the notional learning time of international qualifications were used to develop and compare the Higher Certificate. Internationally it was compared with similar qualifications at the Business and Hotel Management School - Luzern Switzerland, and Perth College in the UK.

There are similarities between the qualification offered by the Business and Hotel Management school and this qualification. Luzern, Switzerland offers a one-year (120 Credits) Diploma in Hospitality Management. The one-year Diploma in Hospitality Management is designed for those who are looking for a career in the hospitality/tourism industry or the international business sector. The program has a dual focus on developing a broad understanding of the operational aspects of the international hotel industry and building knowledge of key business and management principles. The one-year Higher Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality in the accommodation sector is specifically designed for young adults wishing to enter the tourism and hospitality industry and who aspire to a management career in this industry. The qualification shows similarities not only with regards to the purpose but also the curriculum. Similarities include: Introducing hospitality and tourism, food and beverages operations, kitchen operations and practical experience.

The Higher National Certificate - University of the Highlands and Islands, Perth College, UK. This qualification covers relevant areas including the hospitality industry, food and beverage service, conferences an introduction, hospitality front office procedures.

Conclusion:
The Higher Certificate shows unique qualities combining South Africa tourism with hospitality operations in the accommodation sector in one qualification but do show similarities with international qualifications and compares favourably with international standards.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Certificate in Administration, NQF Level 5.

Higher Certificate in Event Management, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Diploma in Tourism Management, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Hospitality Management, NQF Level 6.

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 of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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.	NewBridge Graduate Institute (Pty)Ltd - Bank Avenue (formerly Centurion Akademie (Pty) Ltd)