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

National Certificate: Business Advising Operations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48967  National Certificate: Business Advising Operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
SERVICES - Services Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  138  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This Qualification is designed to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to be appointed as Business Advisors who have an important role to play in the management of small business organisations where they can assist in supervising and monitoring the success of the organisation. This Qualification is for any individual who is or, who wishes to be involved in the Business Advising field.

A learner can complete the Qualification specialising as a Business Advisor in retailing and services, manufacturing or construction. The Core Unit Standards are relevant to all three areas of specialisation.

This Qualification is designed with the objective of encouraging the widest possible access to the Business Advising profession. Learners working towards this Qualification will find that the acquisition of competence in the Unit Standards, which make up the Qualification, will add value to their job. This Qualification is intended to enhance the provision of service within the Business Advising Industry. This Qualification and the Assessment Criteria and guidelines which accompany them have been designed to ensure that access to NQF registered Qualifications in Business Advising Operations is not limited to those who are employed in a Business Advising function.

It will provide the broad knowledge, skills and values needed in the Business Advising industry and will facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education and training and progress along a learning path for learners who:
  • 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 Business Advising Operations Industry for many years, but have no formal qualification in this area.
  • Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the industry so that they can become competent workers in the Business Advising Operations Industry.

    The Qualification has building blocks that can be developed further at NQF Level 7.

    The intention is:
  • To promote the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required in the Business Advising Operations Industry.
  • To release the potential of people, in order for them to grow and develop.
  • To provide opportunities for people to move up career paths by being more valuable to their organisation, the economy and themselves.

    Rationale of the qualification:

    The National Certificate in Business Advising Operations: NQF Level 6 is designed to meet the needs of those learners who are already involved in the field of Business Advising and now wish to practice in a higher level in the Business Advising Operations Industry. Many businesses require input and advice as to the direction, growth opportunities and feasibility of the business. There is a need to develop career paths in this field, and it is an industry constantly in need of skilled people in this particular line.
    This Qualification aims at equipping learners to perform more advanced business advising operational functions in small to medium organisations and to provide support to those organisations in order that the management functions are more effectively performed within those organisations to avoid unnecessary problems.

    The National Certificate in Business Advising Operations at NQF Level 6 supports the objectives of the NQF in that it gives the learner access to a registered qualification on the National Qualifications Framework, which recognizes his/her competencies in a specific area irrespective of how those competencies were developed or acquired. It will therefore ensure that the quality of education and training is enhanced and be of a world-class standard.

    The National Certificate in Business Advising Operations: NQF Level 6 will allow both those in formal education and those already employed in organisations in the Business Advising industry access to a Qualification that can be used as a benchmark to gauge their competence against local and international standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following is the learning assumed to be in place:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The structure of this Unit Standard based Qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. If the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this Business Advising Operations Qualification. Credit will be given for the Unit Standards covered by such competencies and/or for the whole qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of an Integrated Assessment.

    This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow:
  • The obtaining of this qualification in whole or in part
  • Gaining of credits for Unit Standards in which competency can be demonstrated

    All Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education, Training and Quality Assurance Body and is conducted by a registered workplace assessor. RPL should be done using any/all of the teqniques that are applicable to the learner who has accessed the complete qualification and its constituent unit standards. The learner and the assessor will jointly decide how prior learning will be jointly demonstrated and assessed. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Levels, Credits and Electives

    Fundamental Component:

    The Fundamental Component consists of two Unit Standards that develop competencies and knowledge in communication, ethical behaviour and the implementation of policies on HIV/AIDS. These are regarded as essential for anyone working in the Business Advising Sector at this level.

    All the standards are compulsory.

    Core Component:

    There are Unit Standards totalling 105 credits in the Core Component. These standards develop the essential knowledge and skills required by the Business Advisor and cover such things as evaluating the business and the application of a performance management system, accounting practices, marketing practices and the principles as well as designing of logistics and stock handling functions.
    All these standards are compulsory.

    Elective Component

    There are elective Unit Standards totalling 73 credits in the Qualification, and learners must choose standards totalling a minimum of 17 credits from the list. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Implement and understand the impact HIV/AIDS and professional ethics and values have of the overall success of the business.
    2. Apply strategic and critical approaches to the development and implementation of a business plan in order to provide an effective business advising service.
    3. Gather and evaluate financial information of the business and communicate these findings to those who need to make decisions.
    4. Manage, employ and effectively control a diversity of business operational and administrative functions, projects and resources to build and maintain the feasibility of the business.
    5. Describe the legal and regulatory environment and analyse the impact of changes in relevant requirements, constraints, and competitive practices.
    6. Anticipate and meet the client's changing needs by being client and market focused.
    7. Use strategic and critical approaches to decision-making and problem-solving in order to deliver services and provide value in the business sector in which the business operates. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • HIV/AIDS policies are implemented in accordance with accepted behaviour
  • The professional values and ethics required for a successful business operation are explained and communicated to the necessary authorities

    2.
  • The business plan is approached and planned creatively and systematically
  • Issues in the business plan are considered objectively and alternatives are listed and chosen to suit the particular needs of the learners
  • An assessment system to appraise the owner manager is developed and established and problems are identified and solutions developed to improve his/her management skills

    3.
  • Financial data is extracted from a variety of sources, evaluated with objectivity and sorted to ensure they are understood and meaningful to people using it
  • The findings are described and are presented in a format and time that is conducive to the client

    4.
  • The various functions and project goals are determined, examined and matched to resources needed to achieve these goals
  • The functions and project processes are facilitated and effectively controlled to ensure their success
  • Business analysis techniques such as a SWOT analysis are conducted and the findings are communicated to the business owner
  • Functions and projects are measured against the plans and reported on to eliminate discrepancies and to enable corrective action to be taken
  • The costs and benefits of the business and business decisions are identified and addressed to ascertain if performance achieved justifies the resources used

    5.
  • The legal environment in which entities operate is described and advice on the costs and benefits of compliance with regulations is given to the owner/manager
  • Potential threats and opportunities for the organisation are analysed in the light of using changing legal requirements
  • The political and environmental forces impacting both the Business Advisory standard setting process and the regulation of the profession are identified and explained with examples

    6.
  • Factors that motivate internal and external customers to enter into relationships or continue doing business with the clients business are identified and reported on in writing
  • Employer/client protocol and expectations are recognized, understood and managed appropriately to maximize the relationships
  • Good working relationships are built with all parties and stakeholders

    7.
  • The approach to decision-making and problem-solving is planned for effective implementation of decisions
  • Projects and issues are considered objectively, so that problems can be eliminated through alternatives that are creatively identified, chosen and implemented for the specific business
  • An assessment system is developed and established to appraise the owner and the business and to identify problems and potential solutions within the businesses sector
  • The businesses salvage potential is assessed so as to develop a rehabilitation strategy for implementation

    Integrated Assessment:

    Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification.

    Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably lined. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the Unit Standards should be integrated.

    Assessment of the communication, language, literacy and numeracy should be conducted in conjunction with other aspects and should use authentic Business Advising contexts wherever possible.

    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. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, 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. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

    Assessors and moderators should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Assessment should ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated. The assessment of the critical cross-field outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of specific outcomes and embedded knowledge. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Business Advising industry is a discipline with globally recognised best practices, standards and qualifications. This Qualification and set of Unit Standards utilises international and locally recognised best practice and standards in the practices of running and conducting business advice.

    Benchmarking was done by comparison to Unit Standards / Outcomes of learning against:

    New Zealand Qualifications Authority Qualifications -
  • National Diploma in Small Business Management - 140 Credits - Level 5
  • National Diploma in Business - 120 Credits - Level 6

    New Zealand Unit Standards:
  • Apply marketing concepts within a small business - 7 credits - Level 5
  • Establish costs, prices and conditions for provision of products and services for a small business - 5 credits - Level 5
  • Establish human resource needs of the small business operation- 5 credits - Level 5
  • Manage financial resources for a small business enterprise - 5 credits - Level 5
  • Produce establishment plans for small business ventures - 5 credits - Level 5
  • Investigate and evaluate small business franchising options - 10 Credits - Level 6
  • Manage small business operations - 5 Credits - Level 6
  • Manage the development of small business ventures - 5 Credits - Level 6
  • Develop Strategies to foster innovation and entrepreneurship for small business enterprises - 10 Credits - Level 7
  • Identify and assess business development opportunities for a small business enterprise - 10 Credits - Level 7

    A direct comparison with each Unit Standard was undertaken and applicable competencies were highlighted and incorporated into each Unit Standard. However the points incorporated were written in a South African context. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates virtually with the National Certificate: Business Advising NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) Body.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification 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 ETQAs policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between 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 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.

    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. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A minimum of 2 (two) years' practical, relevant occupational experience
  • To be declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards as stipulated by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  7886  Develop and implement a business plan  Level 5  NQF Level 05  8 
    Core  7885  Research and update the legal knowledge required for business compliance  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  116356  Align Manager's personal objectives and skills to those of the business  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
    Core  116338  Apply basic business accounting practices  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  9 
    Core  116368  Apply basic business marketing practices  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
    Core  116367  Apply basic human resources practices  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
    Core  116349  Apply business performance management practices  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
    Core  14505  Apply the principles of ethics and professionalism to a business environment  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  6 
    Core  116366  Assess and design stock policies and logistics services for small/medium enterprises  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  7 
    Core  12138  Conduct an organisational needs analysis  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
    Core  7887  Develop and Manage Marketing Plans and Strategies  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  12 
    Core  116365  Evaluate the financial practices of a business  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  9 
    Fundamental  9224  Implement policies regarding HIV/AIDS in the workplace  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Fundamental  14515  Present a well-structured argument derived from qualitative and/or quantitative data to map new knowledge and generate a competitive advantage  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  12 
    Elective  9895  Coordinate predictive and preventive maintenance  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  12 
    Elective  7624  Influencing stakeholders in Retail/Wholesale practices  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
    Elective  9897  Manage inventory  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Elective  7628  Managing integrated data in Retail/Wholesale practices  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  12885  Apply concepts and principles relevant to the practical aspects of corporate governance and accountability  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
    Elective  14504  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of e-business as a competitive tool  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  7 
    Elective  10597  Implement operational management principles and techniques  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 
    Elective  10604  Manage skills, training and development within a team in a manufacturing unit  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  8 


    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.
     
    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.