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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119914  Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Insurance and Investment 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
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 unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10713  Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners who achieve this Unit Standard can use strategies to improve the structure of their salary earnings. They do this through better understanding and management of their salary package, and through exploring ways of improving their skills and long-term marketability.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Evaluating a work offer in terms of its financial implications.
  • Investigating the financial impact of improving own skills and output through training and career path planning.
  • Demonstrating an awareness of appropriate practices in presenting oneself for employment.
  • Negotiating a salary package with a prospective or current employer.
  • Explaining the financial and tax implications of allowances in salary packages. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Financial Literacy at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard is
  • Company benefits within various occupations, such as pension, provident fund, group insurance schemes including life cover, death, disability and medical aids.
  • Typical allowances such as travel, entertainment, subsistence, computer, home office, cell phones.
  • Own situation wherever possible and case studies where the learner is not yet employed.
  • Short term investments are for five years or less. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Evaluate a work offer in terms of its financial implications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The immediate financial implications of two work offers are assessed and compared in terms of take home pay. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The tax impact of the two job offers is calculated in using current tax tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The financial implications of two options for retirement funding are explored and described as investments in the short and long term. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The option of applying for an internal position transfer is compared to changing employer in terms of pension, medical aid and other benefits. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Investigate the financial impact of improving own skills and output through training and career path planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Advertisements for work in similar positions to one's own are compared with reference to earnings, skills, formal training, personality types and other requirements of the job. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The demand for skills that are most needed within own line of business are researched, listed and compared to own skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Options for upgrading own skills are investigated and an indication is given of the financial consequences of undertaking further study. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate practices in presenting oneself for employment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of maintaining a Curriculum Vitae is discussed and an indication is given of the critical elements required in a Curriculum Vitae. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Three CVs are compared and a personal CVs is drawn up in response to specific job requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Dress appropriate for an interview for a specific position is selected with due regard for the dress code of the particular type of employment advertised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Questions are drafted to ask of a prospective employer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Behaviour, mannerisms, use of language and attitude to work that could enhance or hinder an applicant's chances of employment are demonstrated in an interview situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate answers are given to behavioural questions that indicate own authentic experiences in dealing with issues and the consequences of misrepresenting abilities and achievements in either an interview or CV are indicated with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Negotiate a salary package with a prospective or current employer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of a salary package is explored in terms of cost to company and the options available to the individual in structuring the package. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A list of typical compulsory company benefits is compiled based on requirements of the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and a specific contract of employment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The cost to a company of providing benefits for an individual is considered and compared to take home pay. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of increasing or decreasing various company benefits and structuring an individual salary package to suit own needs is investigated in terms of both financial and non-financial implications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An ideal structure for a salary package is compiled for personal circumstances and/or a case study. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the financial and tax implications of allowances in salary packages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concepts of net salary and gross salary are explained with reference to personal circumstances or case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concepts of allowances and company benefits are explained and the financial benefits of each are described and listed in a table. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The tax implications of receiving allowances and/or benefits are discussed in terms of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) restrictions for certain income sources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The individual's liability to prove expenditure against allowances for tax purposes is explored in terms of the South African Revenue Services (SARS) requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify, solve problems and make decisions relating to his current and potential earnings. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself effectively by being able to negotiate an appropriately structured salary package or employment contract and manage own performance and career options. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information relating to work requirements within his/her line of business, and apply the information to his/her personal circumstances in the developing a training and career plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively when engaging with earning-related concepts and contexts and in negotiating employment contracts and benefits with potential or current employers. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 10713, ' Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects ', level 3, 3 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48494   National Certificate: Financial Services Management  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  INSETA 
    Elective  49256   Further Education and Training Certificate: Counselling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.