SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail Operations Supervision 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49397  National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail Operations Supervision 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Retail and Wholesale 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
W&RSETA - Wholesale & Retail Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Wholesale and Retail 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
13719  National Certificate: Retail and Wholesale, Sales and Service Technology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  124  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification is a further step in a learning pathway that underpins a career in the Wholesale and Retail arena, and helps the progression for a career path within an organisation. This qualification is rooted in actual practice and the learner is expected to be part of a public or private organisation and/or company operating in the area.

The Certificate will form part of a learning pathway that currently stretches from NQF Levels 2 to 5. This pathway will culminate in a qualification at NQF Level 5 with the prospect of a management position within an organisation.

Specifically, the purpose of this Certificate qualification is to equip learners to understand and acquaint themselves with the principles of supervision and team leadership within the Wholesale & Retail sector and to provide career paths with associated learnerships through various levels and areas of the Wholesale and Retail environment. Supervision in this context includes all activities ensuring the achievement of desired results and the correct implementation of prescribed policies, procedures and activities. The Certificate thus aims to build capacity and improve skills at lower management level in the Wholesale and Retail sector thus ensuring the development of competence and increased service delivery in this field.

The qualification provides learners with greater competence in people management within the Wholesale and Retail Sector.

Rationale for the Qualification

South Africa has a well-developed and extensive Wholesale & Retail industry, which is spread nationally.

It is estimated that all those individuals who are wishing to enter the supervisory management level in the Wholesale and Retail Sector will benefit from the proposed Qualification.

The Certificate in Wholesale and Retail Operations Supervision, NQF Level 4, is designed to meet the needs of the learners who are already employed and involved in the Wholesale and Retail field. Learners with a qualification up to level 3, including through RPL, who wish to pursue a career in this area, or in fields where this learning may be useful will be allowed access to this certificate. This furthermore includes adult learners who want to enter the arena or develop their careers in one or more of the related sub-fields. Since this Certificate is part of a learning pathway it will allow mobility to persons operating at any level in the field.

The development of competence in this field will lead to world-class service delivery and company longevity. Application of the learning achieved in completing this qualification will also assist persons to enter other industries where they will be able to apply this learning in a different context.

This qualification also reflects some of the needs of the Wholesale and Retail Sector both now and in the future. It gives accessibility and flexibility to learners employed at the appropriate level desiring learning and growth opportunities, as well as the self-employed. In addition, many of those planning to develop to higher levels, or entering an organisation at a higher level, may well want to, or be required to, complete learning at this level.

The added value of the skills, knowledge and understanding developed by the Certificate will be evidenced by greater productivity resulting from the improved performance by the learner, due to the integration of the learning which will have taken place in the workplace. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners starting to access this qualification will have demonstrated competence against the relevant Numeracy and First Language Literacy standards at NQF Level 3, either through a previous qualification, or through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning, which assesses workplace-based experiential learning.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning and the Qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses providing they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the individual Unit Standards as required by the Fundamental, Core and Elective areas stipulated in the Qualification and by the Exit Level Outcomes.

An RPL process may also be used to credit learners with Unit Standards in which they have developed the necessary competency as a result of workplace and experiential learning

RPL may also be used by learners, who are not in possession of an FETC or equivalent qualification, to gain access to the Qualification.

Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based Qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The certificate is made up of a planned combination of learning outcomes that have a defined purpose and will provide qualifying learners with applied competence and a foundation for further learning.

The Qualification is made up of Unit Standards classified as Fundamental, Core and Elective. A minimum of 120 credits is required to complete the Qualification. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Fundamental

1. Apply comprehension skills to first language oral and written texts in the business environment.
2. Communicate orally and in writing (in second language) in a W&R environment.
3. Apply knowledge of mathematics and statistics to investigate, interrogate and solve life-related and financial problems.

Core

4. Supervise stock counts and sales performance.
5. Supervise housekeeping and loss control measures.
6. Supervise customer service standards.
7. Describe and apply team leadership and team motivation.
8. Describe and apply the management functions of an organisation, including an understanding of Primary Labour Legislation.

Elective

9. Supervise promotional activities and point of sales operations.
10. Basic budgetary and financial requirements are applied.
11. Induct new members into teams and conduct formal meetings.
12. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Compensation for Occupational Injury and Disease Act, and the responsibilities of management in terms of the Acts.
13. Manage risk in own work/business environment.

The spread of Critical Cross-field Outcomes across the Unit Standards that are classified as Core for the purpose of this Qualification :

1. Supervise sales performance:
  • Team work
  • Organisation
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Related systems

    2. Supervise implementation of loss control measures:
  • Solve problems
  • Team work
  • Organisation
  • Communication
  • Related systems

    3. Supervise stock counts:
  • Team work
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Related systems
  • Personal development

    4. Supervise customer service service standards:
  • Team work
  • Organisation
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Personal development

    5. Supervise housekeeping and hygiene in a store:
  • Solve problems
  • Team work
  • Organisation
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Personal development

    6. Motivate a team:
  • Team work
  • Communication
  • Personal development

    7. Describe and apply the management functions of an organisation:
  • Solve problems
  • Team work
  • Organisation
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Related systems
  • Personal development

    8. Demonstrate basic understanding of the Primary Labour Legislation that impacts on a business unit:
  • Organisation
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Related systems
  • Personal development

    9. Indicate the role of a team leader ensuring that a team meets an organisation`s standards
  • Solve problems
  • Team work
  • Information
  • Communication
  • Related systems
  • Personal development 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Spoken text can be responded to, analysed and evaluated.
  • A variety of texts are read, analysed and responded to.
  • Texts are written and edited effectively and creatively.
  • Information from written texts can be recalled, reorganised, summarised and evaluated.

    2.
  • Audience and context needs can be accommodated in oral communications.
  • Information from texts can be interpreted and used.
  • Text can be written for a range of communicative contexts.
  • Information can be shared and responded to verbally.
  • Documents can be accessed, read and interpreted in terms of specific details.

    3.
  • Problems involving sequences and series can be solved.
  • The financial aspects of personal, business and national issues can be investigated.
  • Knowledge of statistics and probability can be applied to interrogate life-related problems.

    4.
  • Stock counts are planned and staff are prepared for stock counts.
  • The counting process and post-stock procedures are supervise.
  • The effect of sales on the Net Profit of the business is explained.
  • Sales performance is monitored and actions to improve sales are proposed.

    5.
  • Health and safety legislation is applied within the Wholesale and Retail outlet.
  • Fixed asset maintenance is monitored as per organisational policies and procedures.
  • Hygiene standards are maintained.
  • The effects of shrinkage and losses on the organisation are identified.
  • Actions to minimise losses, including losses that occur through shoplifting, are implemented.

    6.
  • Customer service standards are identified and evaluated in terms of existing service delivery.
  • Action plans to improve service delivery are developed, communicated, implemented and evaluated.
  • The handing of queries and complaints is monitored and evaluated against organisational requirements.

    7.
  • The role of a leader within a team or group is understood.
  • The achievement of group objectives and goals is monitored.
  • Motivational theories and techniques are applied.
  • Team achievements are recognised and team members are empowered.

    8.
  • The basic activities involved in the management process are applied.
  • The tasks required of managers are identified.
  • The decision making process is applied.
  • The legislation that regulates employment issues, specifically the Labour Relations Act, is understood and explained.
  • The Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Employment Equity Act are understood and explained.
  • The Skills Development Act, Skills Levies Act, and the role of the SETA are understood and explained.

    9.
  • Promotional activities are planned in terms of the organisation's promotion strategy.
  • Promotional teams are identified and supervised as per the implementation plan.
  • The promotional activity is evaluated against the received promotion guidelines.
  • Refunds, exchanges and point of sales transactions are authorised.
  • Staff is scheduled according to service requirements.

    10.
  • Budget needs for a business unit are explained, monitored and controlled.
  • Proposed budgets can be evaluated, presented and justified.
  • The basic elements of an income and expenditure statement, balance sheet, and assets and liabilities statement are identified.
  • The evidence in financial statements is used to make financial decisions.

    11.
  • New members are inducted into the team and the opportunities available in the organisation are explained.
  • The functioning, performance standards and supervision structures of the team are explained.
  • Meetings are prepared for and followed up on.
  • Formal meetings are conducted and conflict within meetings are dealt with.

    12.
  • The basic principles of the Acts and Regulations are understood.
  • The requirements for minimum compliance stipulated in the Acts are explained.
  • The aspects of the Act and Regulations applicable to a specific business are identified and interpreted into a compliance plan for the organisation.
  • Record keeping required by the Acts and Regulations is understood and applied.
  • The legal requirements as stipulated in the Acts in respect of training are explained and implemented.

    13.
  • Quality requirements and the implications of not performing to required legislation and/or industry standards are explained with reference to the company and the individual.
  • Work procedures in the workplace and the risk of non-compliance are understood.
  • Risk is identified and measures to minimise risk for a particular procedure are evaluated.
  • Behaviours and attitudes that constitute positive and negative risk in the workplace are described.

    Integrated Assessment

    Integrated assessment at this level will evaluate the learner's ability to combine actions and ideas across a range of activities and knowledge areas. The integrated assessment must specifically assess the learner's ability to :
  • Demonstrate competence by means of the practical application of the embedded knowledge in a manner that meets the required performance standards required,
  • Illustrate a clear understanding of the concepts, theory and principles that underpin the practical action taken

    The assessment will require assessment methods, which measure and evaluate evidence generated during on-the job activities into account. Because assessment practices must 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 must be used in assessment and tools and activities must 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 should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

    The term integrated assessment implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. Whenever possible the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the Unit Standards should be integrated and, during integrated assessment, the assessor should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools and methods. Combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies should be assessed. Assessment should further ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated in an integrated way.

    Assessors must assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience as the assessment process is capable of being applied to RPL, subject to the rules and criteria of the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Qualification has been benchmarked against international practice in Wholesale and Retail. However, it needs to be recognised that this Qualifications is explicitly placed within the South African context.

    The following list of qualifications relate to the National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail Operations Supervision.
  • National Certificate in Retail (NQF0995) - New Zealand
  • EDEXCEL Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Retail (100/3045/1) - UK
  • Certificate III in Retail Supervision (WRR 30102) - Australia

    Although a search was done for retail qualifications in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, there were no results. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification will articulate vertically with all other qualifications registered within the envisioned learning pathway (currently NQF Levels 2-5). Possibilities for horizontal articulation outside of the Wholesale and Retail environment include (for example) :
  • National Certificate : Management (ID 23656)
  • National Certificate : Human Resource Management and Practices Support (ID 20893)

    Possibilities for vertical articulation outside of the Wholesale and Retail environment include (for example) :
  • Certificate : Business Management (ID 36070)
  • Certificate : General Management (ID 24342) 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner, or moderating the assessment of a learner, against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor or moderator with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation of that ETQA, in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between various ETQAs (including professional bodies), and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at all exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

    The options as listed above provide the opportunity to ensure that assessment and moderation can be transparent, affordable, valid, reliable and non-discriminatory.

    For an applicant to register as an assessor or moderator of this Qualification the applicant needs:
  • To be declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards
  • To be in possession of a relevant Qualification
  • Minimum of three years practical and relevant occupational experience 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces 13719, which is 'National Certificate: Retail and Wholesale, Sales and Service Technology', Level 4, 124 credits. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  13917  Indicate the role of a team leader ensuring that a team meets an organisation`s standards  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  13947  Motivate a team  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  118028  Supervise customer service standards  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  118029  Supervise housekeeping and hygiene in a store  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  118045  Supervise implementation of loss control measures  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  118037  Supervise sales performance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  118043  Supervise stock counts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Fundamental  9302  Access information in order to respond to client enquiries in a financial services environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9303  Communicate verbally with clients in a financial environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  12155  Apply comprehension skills to engage written texts in a business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  258156  Build customer relations in an operational unit  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Elective  13914  Conduct a formal meeting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  13911  Induct a new member into a team  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  13941  Apply the budget function in a business unit  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  13952  Demonstrate basic understanding of the Primary labour legislation that impacts on a business unit  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  13951  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHSA) (as amended) and the responsibilities of management in terms of the Act  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  14667  Describe and apply the management functions of an organization  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  117155  Explain the scope of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 (COIDA)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Elective  117156  Interpret basic financial statements  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  13954  Manage risk in own work/business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  118030  Supervise P.O.S. Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  118033  Supervise promotional activities  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 


    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.