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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Events Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99626  Higher Certificate in Events Management 
ORIGINATOR
International Hotel School (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
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 purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that are required to perform functions in the events and conferencing environments. Furthermore, this qualification contributes to the regional and national goals of South Africa.

Upon completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Develop, plan and organise various types of events.
  • Analyse and apply event marketing strategies.
  • Plan, control, manage and evaluate business systems including cash handling, budgeting, cost control mechanisms, pricing of products and inventory control.
  • Design, organise and coordinate Public Relations and Media activities.
  • Apply skills and knowledge in developing and implementing new products and services that contribute to employment opportunities and economic growth.
  • Plan, coordinate and manage event operations and logistics.

    Rationale:
    The Events and Conferencing industries are dynamic industries which are continually evolving thereby contributing to new venture creation and employment opportunities. These industries make significant contributions to both the South African national economy and to the global economy.

    The Events and Conferencing industries are multi-faceted, service driven industries requiring highly skilled and knowledgeable employees. The Higher Certificate in Events Management qualification provides an opportunity for new entrants and those already employed in these industries to achieve a formal qualification in the field of Events Management. The qualification, through the provision of academic and work-integrated learning opportunities encompassed therein, provides learners with a competitive edge. These opportunities expose learners to the creative and business aspects of Events Management providing a foundation for learners to enter employment with applicable skills and relevant knowledge. Learners acquire the competencies required to fulfil a variety of entry level roles in the Events, Conferencing, Tourism and Hospitality sectors. This contributes to the socio-economic growth and reduction of unemployment in the country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners may achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). As such, the institution will recognise skills, knowledge and experience achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning in accordance with its RPL policy.
    RPL may be used to grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    NQF Level 5 modules, 120 Credits:
  • Computing, 3 Credits.
  • Business Communication, 4 Credits.
  • Financial Management for Events, 8 Credits.
  • Events Management and Planning, 25 Credits.
  • Events Marketing, 10 Credits.
  • Public Relations and Media, 10 Credits.
  • New Venture Creation, 10 Credits.
  • Event Operations and Logistics, 15 Credits.
  • Work-Integrated Learning, 35 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop, plan and organise various types of events.
    2. Analyse and apply event marketing strategies.
    3. Plan, control, manage and evaluate business systems including cash handling, budgeting, cost control mechanisms, pricing of products and inventory control.
    4. Design, organise and coordinate Public Relations and Media activities.
    5. Apply skills and knowledge in developing and implementing new products and services that contribute to employment opportunities and economic growth.
    6. Plan, coordinate and manage event operations and logistics. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understanding of Event Management and the dynamics of this sector is demonstrated.
  • The role of the event triangle and other significant role players is described.
  • Different steps of the event bidding process are applied.
  • The various stages of the event planning process and various factors for consideration are planned and implemented.
  • Knowledge and skill in human resources planning for Event Management is applied.
  • Service excellence strategy for the planning of events is developed and implemented.
  • Event programming procedures are applied.
  • Risk Management strategies are developed and implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The significance of event marketing is understood.
  • Various event marketing principles and strategies are analysed and applied.
  • A sponsorship proposal is formulated and the various factors associated with sponsorship are understood.
  • The need to host sustainable events which incorporate event greening is understood.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Accounting and Financial Management and their various associated terminology are differentiated.
  • The accounting cycle of an event is applied.
  • The significance of the budget, managing expenses and cash flow are discussed and a budget for the event is compiled.
  • An Income statement and balance sheet are prepared and various financial controls are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The fundamentals of Public Relations are elaborated on.
  • The relationship between Public Relations and Media is analysed.
  • The various Public Relations techniques are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The characteristics of an entrepreneur and entrepreneurship are examined.
  • Basic business concepts for the prospective entrepreneur are applied.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Event design and dcor are planned.
  • Functions rooms and meetings are arranged.
  • Food and beverage service for the event are co-ordinated.
  • Admission systems, audio-visual requirements and other services are developed and acquired.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learning outcomes are assessed in an integrated manner. Continuous formative assessments include assignments, research reports, forum discussions and tests. Summative assessments may include final examinations, portfolios of evidence and research reports. The completion of Work- Integrated Learning is an integral part of the learning programme and as such contributes to the assessment of learning outcomes contained in the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A study of international qualifications in Events Management indicates that the general practice is to offer either a range of short programmes or full Bachelor' Degrees with one year-certificate type qualifications being the exception.

    Two one-year certificates which are well regarded are:
  • Certificate Programme on Event and Function Management at the Hong Kong Institute of Management and Event Management.
  • Event Management Certificate offered by the George Washington University in the United States of America.

    This qualification compares well with both the qualifications referred to above in terms of content and the skills the learner will develop during the qualification. Common areas of learning include:
  • Event and Function Planning and Management.
  • Planning and Budgeting.
  • Event Marketing.
  • Event Planners.
  • Event Information Systems.
  • Principles of Event and Function Management.
  • Financial and Risk Management.

    All qualifications include a workplace learning component.

    The major difference between this Higher Certificate and the international qualifications referred to above is that the former includes a component of entrepreneurship which is not in the latter. This component has been included as one of the keys to solving South Africa's unemployment problem is to enable young adults to set up and sustain their own small business ventures. Those learners who complete this qualification will gain some vital knowledge and skills in that regard through the inclusion of the new venture module.

    Conclusion:
    The international comparability exercise revealed different approaches to Event Management education and training internationally ranging from short course interventions of three to six months duration and full three year Degrees. This qualification compares favourably with the above-mentioned qualifications in that the content, skills and duration are similar, all include workplace learning, all focus on the wider aspects of Event Management and they equip learners to enter the Event Management sector as Junior Managers. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers the following specific articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by offered by The International Hotel School.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Hospitality Management, Level 6 (ID 63169).
    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Events Management, Level 5.
  • Certificate in Hospitality Management, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Hospitality Management, Level 6.
  • Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management, 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. The International Hotel School: Johannesburg 


    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.