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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the sociology of work 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258096  Demonstrate an understanding of the sociology of work 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Trade Unions 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 05 - Education, Training and Development Adult Learning 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner credited with this Unit Standard will be able to provide an explanation on the nature and theory of the mode of production and its impact on society at large. Learners will be able to analyse trade unions and the way in which they are organised. Learners will also be able to apply their understanding of the mode of production in companies in analysing and implementing strategies and activities in promoting the interests of workers. The learner will be able to explain and make reference to the historical development of labour processes/mode of production and how they relate to the current context. Different forms of modes of production under Neo-liberal globalisation and unions' responses to these are explored.

Some of the aspects to be covered include evolution through industrialisation, how workers have responded to forms of production like Fordism, informalisation and casualisation.

Learners credited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Analysing labour processes, the theory of labour process and how these relate to power and modes of production.
  • Explaining neo-liberal globalisation and its impact on 21st century work forms and types.
  • Describing different theories used in analysing organisations and apply these to trade unions.
  • Exploring the impact of the labour process on workers and the trade union organisation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners be competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse labour processes, the theory of labour process and how these relate to power and the modes of production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ways of organising the labour process are explored with reference to different work and industry types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Such types of work include but is not limited to manufacturing push, pull and continuous flow systems, service industries, mining and public sector work.
  • This also includes socially reproductive labour, for example, household work, working as a caregiver, unpaid work, and volunteer work.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Theories of labour process are explained with examples to explore the impact on workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The links between a capitalist mode of production and the labour process are explained with examples to illustrate the central role of control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain neo-liberal globalisation and its impact on 21st century work forms and types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The role of information technology and its influence on the economy is analysed in terms of its impact on society and workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of labour flexibility at a national and global level is analysed to determine its impact on the working class. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Labour flexibility should include conceptual clarity of terms such as decent work, precarious work, atypical work and informalisation, casualisation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The defining features of precarious work in Africa are compared to those in North America and Europe. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Defining features include poverty and its feminisation, subsistence farming, the size of the informal economy.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Campaigns to change the nature of work are identified and assessed in terms of their effectiveness in changing realities for the working class in the context of neo-liberal globalisation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe different theories used in analysing organisations and apply these to trade unions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The power interests within organisations are analysed using the trade union as a frame of reference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Trade unions and the way in which they organise are analysed in terms of how they have responded to the changing nature of work. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Trade unions and worker organisations are analysed using different theories. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Examples includes but is not limited to mechanical systems, open systems, organic, quantum, and class based analyses.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explore the impact of the labour process on workers and trade union organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nature of the labour process is analysed in terms of its strengths and challenges and how it consolidates worker and trade union solidarity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Value chains in a period of neo-liberal globalisation are analysed in term of their impact on the labour process and workers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The nature of the labour process in a socialist and capitalist mode of production is explored and compared with reference to international examples. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at 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 qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Theories of labour process.
  • Conceptions of power.
  • Theories of organisation.
  • Typology of work.
  • Labour processes.
  • Neo-liberal globalisation.
  • Technology of work. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Analysing organisations.
  • Analysing labour processes and the theory of labour.
  • Exploring the impact of labour process on workers.
  • Explain neo-liberal globalisation and its impact on the 21st century. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to obtain a better understanding of:
  • The theories of labour.
  • The theories of organisation.
  • Typology of work.
  • Neo-liberal globalisation. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63369   National Diploma: Trade Union Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP 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.
     
    1. Ayoba Training Institute (Pty)Ltd 
    2. Essential Skills Management 


    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.