SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Diploma in Small Business Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117828	Diploma in Small Business Management
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Generic Management
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

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:
The purpose of the Diploma in Small Business Management is to enable the qualifying students to apply the necessary entrepreneurial skills, knowledge, competencies and process to start, establish and grow a business(es).

The qualification will enhance small business owners and managers with the latest thinking, best practices and trends in small business management and equip entrepreneurs with essential business skills and exploit the unique set of skills, knowledge and ideas to sell products and services.

Learners will be equipped with a sound theoretical business background and practical business application skills and enable them to start SME (Small and Micro Enterprise) ventures or investigate the option of going into business by operating a franchise.

The qualification will enable learners to utilise the knowledge gained to draw up comprehensive business plans in support of financial applications towards the establishment of a small business venture through Khula and other financing concerns and understand the function of administrative management within an organisation entails.

Rationale:
In South Africa, the labour force is increasingly called upon to be self-employed or to seek employment in small businesses in contrast to the past where the majority of workers were employed by large companies, the government and parastatals. This situation has led to a large increase in the number of small companies with a small labour force. Unfortunately, many small businesses do not survive because of poor planning, financial management, marketing strategies, administration, production as well as inadequate legal expertise. Hence, the future well-being of the South African population depends upon the creation and survival of small businesses in the country. The qualification can play a pivotal role as it is specifically designed for those learners who are already or those who wish to become, owner-managers or those who are responsible for the management of a small business.

This qualification is designed to provide the learner with the basic knowledge and entrepreneurial skills of starting and managing his/her own small, medium or micro business and ensure its effective functioning by applying essential business strategies, principles and techniques. The learner is equipped on how to seize business opportunities, develop a viable business plan and apply selected management principles to implement this plan in a real business environment.

This qualification accepts mostly grade 12 learners with commerce background and five years verified and relevant working experience or entrepreneurial background. This qualification also aims to attract current or prospective business owners. Qualifying learners will be able to start their businesses, however, there is a host of other jobs that can be pursued with this qualification which include, inter alia:

Business Manager: responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing business operations and employees.

Corporate Recruiter: responsible for assisting corporations to locate, research, interview, and select talented employees.

Management Analyst: responsible for analysing and evaluating operating procedures and then make recommendations based on their findings.

Marketing Research Analyst: responsible for collecting and analysing information to determine the demand for a potential product or service.

The qualification also creates a competitive edge to learners to be employed in the employment market including in municipalities, provincial and national government as policymakers, coordinators, programme managers, researchers in the small enterprises' units or departments. Furthermore, the learners are employed in the private sector, government parastatals, Non-Governmental Organisations occupying operational, tactical and strategic positions.

The Department of Management and Governance has consulted with the industry body and Advisory Committee to determine a need for this qualification as well as on shaping the curriculum. The key stakeholders who were consulted included representatives from community organisations, small businesses and other organisations including SEDA, the Chamber of Commerce, Department of Economic Development, SACCI and the Municipality.

Taking into cognisance that South Africa is prone to escalate levels of high unemployment, learners will be prepared, trained and encouraged to pursue and use the qualification as a means of creating employment opportunities and to engage in entrepreneurship. This is achieved through promoting in-service training where learners are allocated to well-established entrepreneurs so that they can attain appropriate skills. This qualification prepares them to be able to employ people and develop emerging entrepreneurs in the informal sector and impart skills of pupils.

Small business development is considered as one of the major drivers of economic development and job creation. South Africa needs competent small business managers and entrepreneurs who can create sustainable small businesses that will improve the standard of living of their respective areas. It fits well with the vision 2030 of the South African government that seeks to raise employments, provide decent work and sustainable livelihoods. It would be difficult to achieve this without successful small businesses and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be obtained in part through a process of RPL. The learners will be credited with the knowledge and skills and competencies already mastered. The learner will be credited with the Unit Standards already mastered and will not need to prove competence in them again. If competence can be shown in all the outcomes, the complete qualification may be awarded to the learner.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of the qualification and/or for credits against a part thereof. The process in this department involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled following an institutional RPL policy by a CLTD dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Learners are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the institutional rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience. Application for RPL is considered in line with the principles of the SAQA and the institution's RPL policy guidelines. It is undertaken within the context of the institution's commitment to broaden access to higher education. Administrative procedures and stipulated requirements must comply as part of the learner's RPL process.

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

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
Or

National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 192 Credits:

Communication in English A, 24 Credits.

Credit Control 1, 24 Credits.

Marketing for Small Business Practitioner 1, 24 Credits.

Selling Skills for Small Business1 Module 1, 12 Credits.

Selling Skills for Small Business1 Module 2, 12 Credits.

Small Business Management 1, 24 Credits.

Administrative Management 1, 24 Credits.

Labour Relations and Law, 24 Credits.

Production Management 1, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 168 Credits:

Marketing for Small Business Practitioner 11, 24 Credits.

Small Business Management 11, 24 Credits.

Marketing for Small Business Practitioner 111, 30 Credits.

Small Business Management Experiential Training, 60 Credits.

Small Business Management 111, 30 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Communicate effectively in the workplace or with clients.
2. Prepare a business plan and a budget for a small business.
3. Understand the requirements of small business operations.
4. Perform basic retail operations.
5. Understand administrative management within an organisation.
6. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the core marketing principles.
7. Understand the role and functioning of production and operations management.
8. Understand individual functional areas of business management.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Engage in effective oral communication with internal and external clients using appropriate listening and speaking skills and techniques.

Read written texts and understand and make the necessary oral and/or written replies to clients.

Produce reports, memorandums, notices and letters using the correct format, language and register for the circumstances and the client.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Draw up a business plan for a small business for submission to a financial institution.

Monitor the performance of a small business against the budget.

Apply quality assurance principles to a given context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Explain the requirements of small business legislation within the context of their business venture.

Understand and explain the business environment is within the context of their business venture.

Identify and explain the principles of merchandising are within the context of wholesale and retail.

Identify and explain safety and security requirements in the wholesale and retail environment within the context of their own business.

Explain the concept and impact of shrinkage and losses within the context of their own business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Compile the relevant legislative requirements with for own business.

Plan, prepare and execute the operational requirements in own business environment to ensure business sustainability.

Maintain a safe and secure work environment according to operational requirements.

Carry out basic business calculations for their own business.

Replenish stock to maintain retail operations.

Mark, display and maintain merchandise to enable effective retailing.

Maintain financial sales transactions, deposits and reconciliation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Describe and explain the functions of the administrative management within an organisation.

Create and manage office systems.

Identify and explain different skills to be an Information Manager.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Scan the marketing environment to respond to client needs.

Conduct marketing research to understand competitors' strengths and weaknesses.

Understand consumer behaviour.

Evaluate, select and apply practical marketing scenarios following appropriate information, procedures and methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Select productivity designs and plans to increase productivity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Synergise the individual functional areas with other areas of business management including human resources, marketing, finance and operations.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment and an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, learner centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance learner engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment aims at enhancing learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. The formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. In this qualification, it will consist of a variety of tasks such as assignments, presentations, case studies.

The assessment will require assessment methods, which take evidence generated during on-the-job activities or business activities into account. Assessment practices that will be applied will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable, ensuring that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification. A variety of methods will be used in assessment and tools and activities will be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working or will work. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace simulations, case studies, role-plays and other similar techniques will be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

Whenever possible the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the Unit Standards should be integrated and, during the integrated assessment, the assessor should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and methods. Combinations of practical, applied, and foundational competencies should be assessed. Assessment should further ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and graduates attributes are evaluated in an integrated way.

Summative assessment takes place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination. In this qualification, it will consist of written tests, assignments and project-based learning conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The department of Management and Governance has benchmarked the existing qualification against international higher education institutions. The following institutions were included in the international benchmarking exercise for this qualification:

The Certificate in Business (Small Business) offered by Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) in New Zealand and the Certificate in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship offered by the University of Phoenix in the United States compares with this qualification.

This qualification is similar to the SIT certificate in Business (Small Business) as it covers similar technical knowledge and skills (developing business plan, monitoring business performance, manage finances, marketing, technology and human resources); people skills (customer service techniques); affective skills (professional and ethical behaviour) and business environment (comply with internal policies, legislation and other external requirements).

Furthermore, the core curriculum of this qualification is aligned with the Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship certificate of the University of Phoenix in the United States. The modules and content offered by the latter university are similar to that of the South African qualification as it deals with small business development, financial management, marketing, business law and regulatory issues and analysis of business opportunities.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:

Horizontal Articulation:

Diploma in Management, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Administrative Management, NQF Level 6.

Vertical Articulation:

Advanced Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Commerce, NQF Level 7.

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.	Walter Sisulu University