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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: Insurance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20177  National Certificate: Insurance 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Financial Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was INSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0638/01  2001-10-10  2004-10-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2005-10-10   2008-10-10  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
49089  National Certificate: Financial Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to build knowledge and skill required by employees in insurance who have had schooling below NQF level 4. It is intended to empower learners to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to operate confidently as individuals in the South African community and to respond to the challenges of the economic environment and changing world of work in the insurance industry.

As a qualification that covers insurance related learning, it provides a framework for learners to develop competencies that will give them insight into the insurance industry in general. It includes a fairly detailed study of the financial services industry and the insurance sector. It introduces some theoretical concepts, requires the application of a wide base of knowledge and requires a well developed range of skills that will enable learners to be informed workers in the industry. It provides a balanced learning experience that allows flexible access to further education, life-long learning, higher education and to productive employment in a range of occupational contexts within the different insurance sub-sectors. It provides an opportunity for learners to learn and apply academic skills in relation to the workplace and will provide them with skills to adapt to changes in work in the industry.

The National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 is intended for personnel employed in the insurance sector and other learners who intend to follow a career in insurance. Practical competence is within a number of contexts, some of which may be non-routine. The focus is on comparison, choice and the interpretation and application of knowledge.

Qualifying learners are capable of:
  • Carrying out simple research tasks.
  • Relating needs and wants to the development and selection of insurance products.
  • Describing sub-sectors of insurance such as life, short term, unit trusts, retirement funding, funeral and healthcare benefits administration.
  • Interpreting current affairs and their influence on the insurance industry.
  • Recognising the effect of HIV/AIDS on the workplace, society and the insurance industry.
  • Managing risk in their own lives.
  • Operating a personal computer, keyboard and computer peripherals.

    Depending on the unit standards selected as electives, the learner will become competent in basic skills relating to:
  • Customer service.
  • Claims administration.
  • Wellness and lifestyle management.
  • Short-term insurance.
  • Long-term insurance.
  • Group Benefits.
  • Intermediaries - marketing a single need insurance product.
  • Unit trusts.
  • Healthcare benefits administration.
  • Short- and long-term insurance.
  • Use of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

    These unit standards are intended to develop building blocks for the further development of skills that will make the learner a more fulfilled, informed, efficient and cost effective worker in the industry. This should result, in turn, in more effective and efficient service to the consumer and should make the industry more competitive in the global market.


    Rationale for the qualification:

    The National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 is designed to meet the needs of multiple work roles, organisational requirements and the changing technological nature of the insurance industry. It provides a broad knowledge of the insurance industry and progress along a career path for learners who:
  • Have attained the National Certificate in Insurance Administration: Level 2 and wish to continue on a path of life-long learning.
  • Were previously disadvantaged or who were unable to complete their schooling and were therefore denied access to Further Education and Training.
  • Have worked in the insurance industry for many years, but have no formal qualifications in insurance.
  • Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the industry so that they can become knowledge workers in the industry.

    The National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 allows the individual to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. It is flexible enough to accommodate both learners in formal education and learners already employed in the insurance sector. It aims to develop informed and skilled learners in the insurance sector. The qualification at this level is generic so as to allow maximum mobility between the different sub-sectors of the industry. Learning paths are not indicated although the electives selected will indicate an interest in a possible learning pathway at level 4. Skills, knowledge, values and attitudes reflected in the qualification are building blocks that will be developed further and will lead to a more defined career path at level 4. The intention is:
  • To promote the development of knowledge and skills that are required in all sub-sectors of the insurance industry.
  • To release the potential of people.
  • To provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain.

    Learners already employed in the insurance industry at this level do work that requires a well developed range of skills. Many of the work roles are of a clerical nature or are linked to sales. They include, but are not limited to:
  • General Administration Clerk
  • Claims Clerk
  • Administrator
  • Internal Brokers
  • Pension Fund Administrators
  • Client Service providers
  • Insurance/Unit Trust Call Centre agents
  • Intermediaries
  • Human Resources personnel

    The National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 should produce knowledgeable, multi-skilled workers who are able to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the insurance industry. It should provide the means for current workers to receive recognition of prior learning and to upgrade their skills. It should also assist new entrants to the industry. The qualification is structured in a way that exposes learners to different aspects of the industry with a view to enabling them to make an informed choice of a career path in one of the sub-sectors. It is anticipated that this qualification will promote the notion of life-long learning. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The unit standards that make up the certificate are the building blocks of knowledge and skill that are necessary for the proposed level 4 certificate. Only communication, mathematical literacy and financial literacy at level 2 are assumed.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 allows open access. Provision has been made for prior learning to be recognised if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. Application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) should be made to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may allow for accelerated access to further learning.
  • Credit towards a unit standard is subject to quality assurance by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA and is conducted by a workplace assessor. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Qualifying learners should be capable of:
  • Coordinating with others.
  • Making significant choices from a wide range of procedures.
  • Operating in a number of contexts.
  • Understanding the diverse nature of the insurance sector.
  • Operating as informed employees in the insurance sector.
  • Understanding the structure and the market of the insurance industry and their role and place in that structure.
  • Making comparisons.
  • Selecting a sub-sector of insurance as a possible career path in insurance at level 4.

    Learners may have significant responsibility for the quantity and quality of their own output under general supervision. They may be responsible for the output of others.

    The learner is able to demonstrate ability to:
  • Identify and solve problems related to his/her own life, career and insurance needs in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. S/he is required to match the needs of potential customers to available products and apply knowledge of customer profiles to different situations.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community in that several assessment criteria require learners to demonstrate competence as a group. As the qualification is intended to be part of a learnership it is unlikely that the learner would work alone.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in that it is expected that the learner will be responsible for his/her own learning and for organising his/her own work allocated tasks responsibly in the work environment. S/he is required to complete research assignments timeously and to apply knowledge of different aspects of investment and insurance to provide for his/her own financial security and manage his/her own finances.
  • Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. These competencies are built into the assessment criteria in many of the unit standards and the learner is required to do research projects and compare information from the main and financial sections of a daily or weekly newspaper.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations. These competencies are an integral part of all the unit standards and are built into the assessment criteria.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others in that the insurance environment is technology driven and very few activities take place without the application of technology. The inclusion of computer end user standards ensures that this Critical Cross-field Outcome receives attention.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in that references are made wherever applicable to the learners' part in the big picture and how his/her actions have implications up and down the line.

    In addition, this qualification contributes to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make the individual aware of the importance of
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively in order to become an informed worker in the insurance industry.
  • Participating as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities by accepting own responsibility for wellness and HIV/AIDS and being a responsible worker in the insurance environment.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts in dealing with diverse people in the workplace including customers, co-workers and people who are surveyed or interviewed. The inclusion of an additional official South African language further supports this outcome.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities in investigating different sub-sectors in the industry with a view to selecting a career path in one of the insurance sub-sectors at level 4. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment:

    Assessment practices must be fair, transparent, valid, reliable and should ensure that no learner is disadvantaged. Learners who wish to be assessed against this standard should direct enquiries to the Insurance Sector Quality Authority, INSQA.

    The focus of assessment must be on the assessment of the learning outcomes rather than learning outputs. The Specific Outcomes guide the learning and training process towards the outcomes on a continuous basis. The purpose is to determine whether the outcomes have been attained. Situations should present a wide range of options. Applications should require significant choices from a wide range of procedures and in a number of contexts.
  • Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably linked. Where appropriate, assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values indicated in the various unit standards should be integrated. Assessment in communication, mathematical literacy and financial literacy should use authentic insurance contexts wherever practical.
  • Assessment has a formative monitoring function. Formative assessment should be used to assess gaps in the learners' skill and knowledge and to indicate where there is a need for expanded opportunities. The goal is to promote learning and to assess the efficacy of the teaching and learning process. Feedback from assessment informs teaching and learning and allows for the critique of outcomes, methodology and materials. Formative assessment is diagnostic and as such it should guide the learner and the trainer. It is continuous and is used to plan appropriate learning experiences to meet the learner's needs. It provides information about problems experienced at different stages in the learning process. As it is criterion referenced, if the learner has met the assessment criteria, s/he has achieved the outcomes.
  • Assessment should also have a summative component. Summative assessment may be used on completion of a unit standard, but should not be the only form of assessment.
  • 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. Assessment should take place in an authentic context as far as is possible. Where it is not possible to assess competence in the workplace, simulations, case studies and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.
  • Integration implies that theoretical and practical components should where possible be assessed together.
  • Integrative techniques should be used to assess applied competence. Learners should be required to demonstrate that they can perform the outcomes with understanding and insight.
  • Assessment should ensure that all Specific Outcomes, embedded knowledge and Critical Cross-field Outcomes are evaluated. Assessment of the Critical Cross-field Outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of the Specific Outcomes. The Critical Cross-field Outcomes are implicit in some unit standards and programmes should be designed to extend and further reflect the integration. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification will be compared to international qualifications in terms of outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. It will be benchmarked against
  • FET level 3 in South African formal education.
  • Insurance NVQs from England. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by the Insurance Sector Quality Authority (INSQA) or a relevant accredited ETQA. The mechanisms and requirements for moderation will be contained in the document obtainable from INSQA in 2001, INSQA framework for assessment and moderation.
  • Assessors must be registered with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Moderators, competent at the level of the qualification, are registered by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA to ensure that the standard across assessors is consistent.
  • Moderators are required to be competent in assessment practices.
  • Moderators are required to report to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA. (See INSQA framework and guidelines for assessment and moderation for details.)
  • Institutions and providers offering learning that will lead to the achievement of the National Certificate in Insurance Administration: Level 2 must be accredited as providers with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will monitor and quality assure moderation and assessment according to guidelines in the qualification and INSQA procedures.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will assure the quality of all learning programmes in collaboration with other SETAS in different economic sectors. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    This qualification will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by the Insurance Sector Quality Authority (INSQA) or a relevant accredited ETQA. The mechanisms and requirements for moderation will be contained in the document obtainable from INSQA in 2001, INSQA framework for assessment and moderation.
  • Assessors must be registered with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Moderators, competent at the level of the qualification, are registered by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA to ensure that the standard across assessors is consistent.
  • Moderators are required to be competent in assessment practices.
  • Moderators are required to report to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA. (See INSQA framework and guidelines for assessment and moderation for details.)
  • Institutions and providers offering learning that will lead to the achievement of the National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 must be accredited as providers with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will monitor and quality assure moderation and assessment according to guidelines in the qualification and INSQA procedures.
  • INSQA will assure the quality of all learning programmes in collaboration with other SETAS in different economic sectors. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by 49089 'National Certificate: Financial Services', Level 3, Credits 120. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  7571  Demonstrate the ability to use electronic mail software to send and receive messages  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  7566  Operate personal computer peripherals  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  9356  Recognise the effects of HIV/AIDS in the insurance industry and workplace, and indicate the precautions that are necessary to avoid unnecessary transmission of the HI Virus  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  8990  Describe collective investment schemes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8995  Describe funeral insurance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8988  Describe life insurance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8992  Describe retirement funding in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8989  Describe short term insurance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8991  Explain Healthcare Benefits Administration in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  8987  Indicate how different needs lead to the development of different insurance products  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  8993  Interpret current affairs related to financial services in general and insurance in particular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Core  8994  Manage risk in own life  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  8986  Research the history of the Financial Services Industry in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    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  8971  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9303  Communicate verbally with clients in a financial environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  10713  Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Fundamental  8972  Interpret a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  10712  Manage personal expenditure  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Fundamental  10714  Research costs associated with marriage, birth, divorce and death in own circumstances  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7573  Demonstrate ability to use the World Wide Web  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Elective  9004  Market a single need insurance policy to a niche market  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Elective  9003  Administer long term employee benefits and healthcare membership  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  9002  Describe healthcare funding in South Africa and the role of intermediaries in the sector  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  8998  Describe the importance of a healthy lifestyle for members of medical schemes and explain the concept of corporate wellness  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  9001  Explain basic transactions in the collective investment industry  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  9005  Explain the types of compulsory statutory insurance in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  9000  Indicate how collective investment scheme portfolios are reported  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  8996  Indicate the scope of life insurance in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  8997  Indicate the scope of short term insurance in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  8999  Outline the structure of the collective investment industry  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  7567  Produce and use spreadsheets for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7575  Produce presentation documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  7570  Produce word processing documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  9006  Produce written evidence of short term insurance constracts and maintain records of policies and premiums  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.