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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
71853	Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing
ORIGINATOR
CTU Training Solutions
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
MICTS - Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	132	Level 4	NQF Level 04	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
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

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the skills and knowledge required to undertake advanced tasks and procedures using office technology. In addition, this will significantly enhance the learner`s prospects of gaining employment by providing a solid grounding in basic computer skills required in today`s business environment.

The Core Component of the Qualification offers the learner knowledge and skills in the Management of Records, Comprehension of written and verbal texts, Business Writing, Problem Solving, Ethics, Cultural Awareness, Self Management and Self Development, Project Teamwork and Business Policies and Procedures. The Qualification through its Elective Component enables the learner to specialize in areas of Administration such as Reception, Executive Administration, Financial Literacy, Relationship Management, Legal Knowledge, Communication, Project Administration and Support, Call Centre Administration and Human Resources.

This Qualification is intended to enhance the provision of service within the field of Administration within all business and non-commercial sectors. The Qualification ensures progression of learning, enabling the learner to meet standards of service excellence required within the Administration field of learning, through building day-to-day Administration skills as well as general operational competencies. It will provide the broad knowledge, skills and values needed in the Administration field for all business and non-commercial sectors and will facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education and training.

Qualifying learners could follow a career in:

Secretarial services.

Reception services.

Switchboard operations.

Financial Administration.

Banking Administration.

Personal/executive assistant services.

Technical assistance.

Typing.

Data capturing.

Systems administration.

Human Resources administration.

Basic Contracts Administration.

Legal Secretarial services.

Reception supervision.

Change administration and management.

Relationship management.

Project coordination.

Rationale:

The Further Education and Training Certificate in Information Technology: End User Computing is primarily developed and designed to meet the needs of Learners who require end user computing skills in all sectors of the economy, as End User Computing is an essential skill in any business today. The Qualification is designed to accommodate both learners in formal education and learners already employed. It aims to develop informed and skilled learners that can apply the acquired skills in any industry and should contribute towards improved productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

The need for the qualification was highlighted by an Information Technology sector study that was done and confirmed by ISETT SETA.

The Qualification at this level is foundational and generic, allowing maximum applicability in a range of sectors.

It will allow articulation into further qualifications in End User Computing or other Information Technology Qualifications, as well as entry into any other Further Education and Training where End User Computing is required.

The secondary purpose of this Qualification is to provide qualifying learners with advanced skills and knowledge required to undertake skilful tasks and also routine procedures using office technology. In addition, this will significantly enhance the learner`s prospects of gaining employment by also providing a solid grounding in basic computer skills required in today`s business environment.

This Qualification is also designed to meet the needs of those learners both employed or unemployed, who are already involved or wish to become involved in the field of Administration. Administration is an essential field of learning as Administration competencies apply to all industries and to many non-commercial ventures such as sports/recreation clubs, religious groups, etc. This means that there is an on-going need for skilled Administrative people to carry out these functions both in the commercial and non-commercial sectors. There is also a need to develop career paths in this field so as to offer people involved in Administration the opportunity to continue with a programme of life-long learning, which will make them knowledgeable and skilled employees with enhanced employment opportunities. This Certificate is a generic Qualification which offers Administrative and Computer knowledge and skills to learners who:

Have attained the National Certificate in Business Administration: NQF Level 3 and wish to continue on a path of life-long learning in Administration.

Were previously disadvantaged or who were unable to complete their schooling and were therefore denied access to Further Education and Training.

Have worked in Administration for many years, but have no formal Qualifications in their area of expertise.

Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of Administration so that they can become knowledgeable workers.

Have recently taken up a position in Administration.

Have not yet acquired the skills and competencies required for learning in Administration.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learner accessing this Qualification are competent in:

Communication at NQF Level 3.

Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.

Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

This Qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The learner should be thoroughly briefed on the mechanism to be used and support and guidance should be provided. Care should be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the Recognition of Prior Learning option towards gaining a Qualification.

If the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this Qualification the appropriate credits should be assigned to the learner. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of Integrated Assessment as mentioned above.

Access to the Qualification:

There is open Access to the Qualification. However, it is a requisite that learners should acquired language competencies and mathematical literacy competencies at NQF Level 3.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This Qualification is made up of a combination of learning outcomes from Fundamental, Core and Elective Components: 132 Credits.

Fundamental Component (56 Credits):

Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 to the value of 16 credits.

Communication at NQF Level 4 in a First South African Language to the value of 20 credits.

Communication in a Second South African Language at NQF Level 3 to the value of 20 credits.

It is compulsory therefore for learners to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at NQF Level 4 and the other at NQF Level 3.

Core Component: 56 Credits.

Elective Component: 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Use effective communication skills within the workplace.

2. Use mathematics in real life and work situations.

3. Apply word processing skills in a GUI-based application.

4. Apply presentation skills in a GUI-based application.

5. Apply spreadsheet skills in a GUI-based application.

6. Apply electronic mail (e-mail) skills in a GUI-based application.

7. Apply Web Browser skills in a GUI-based application to search for and use information from the internet relating to customer service.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

This Qualification addresses the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. A learner who obtains this Qualification can:

Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions are made when using critical and creative thinking when Interface incompatibility and conflicts occur.

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community when Interface programs are implemented and interdepartmental connections are made.

Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively when implementing various interrelated applications in the workplace.

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when implementing and controlling various Interface applications in the workplace.

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation in the workplace by better utilising End user computing applications.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Use the writing process to compose various reports and texts required within the workplace.

Read and interpret various texts with understanding.

Maintain and adapt oral communication as required.

Use appropriate communication skills within the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Use mathematical functions correctly to solve routine problems and tasks within the workplace.

Use mathematical functions to solve real life/personal problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

Create, edit and format documents.

Enhance document appearance and create merged documents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Create and edit slide presentations.

Produce a presentation for a specific purpose.

Enhance the appearance of a presentation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Create and edit spreadsheets.

Solve a given problem by using a spreadsheet.

Enhance the functionality of a spreadsheet and apply graphs/charts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Send and receive E-mail messages.

Enhance, edit and organise E-mail messages.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Carry out research into different organisations to identify the main types of customers.

Explain the service standards used in three different organisations.

Give examples for each of the four levels of customer service.

Use effective customer service in three different selected situations: deal with a new customer, deal with a customer who has special needs, deal with a customer who has a complaint.

Produce a customer service induction document identifying the key components of customer service.

Research reference sources and procedures for handling complaints and produce a letter in response to a customer's complaint and identify the methods of recording complaints.

Produce guidelines for recommendations for the development of customer service in an organisation.

Prepare a report comparing customer service in two selected organisations.

Integrated Assessment:

Assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

This qualification is comprised of the following:

Practical competences - what a candidate must be able to do.

Knowledge requirements - what a candidate must know.

There are several ways in which these can be assessed:

Practical:

Assessors may be required to use different assessment methods:
> Competence checklist: Observation of performance.
> Competence checklist: Appraisal of a product.
> Practical assignments.

Knowledge requirements:

Learners will be required to take tests to show that they meet the knowledge requirements.

These assessments can take the following forms:

Written tests: Multiple choice.

Written tests: Short, structured questions.

Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably interwoven. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the modules will be integrated.

Assessment of communication, language, literacy and numeracy should be integrated as far as possible with other aspects and should use practical contexts wherever possible.

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 such as realistic working environment including real work timescales and pressures should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.
During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflexive competencies.

All learners are required to complete an externally set and marked examination in order to achieve the qualification.

Assessment should ensure that all outcomes and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This Qualification and Unit Standards have been evaluated against, and are comparable to core knowledge and specialised knowledge elements found in the following International Qualifications Frameworks:

New Zealand NQF.

Australian NQF.

British NVQs.

Furthermore input to the development of the qualification has been benchmarked against International sources, where the outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time has been compared, as described below.

For the core skills required, the following sources were referenced:

International exams from Microsoft:
> Microsoft Office Word 2007.
> Microsoft Office Excel 2007.
> International Certifications.
> CBP Professional Certification.
> Microsoft Office Word 2007 Certificate.
> Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Certificate.

We also confirmed that the above certifications are used in many African and SADC countries as benchmark for End User Computing skills in a business environment. Countries referred to include, but are not limited to:

Mauritius.

Tanzania.

Kenya.

Botswana.

Zimbabwe.

Zambia.

For constructing the qualification structure, the following sources were referenced:

Edexcel qualification in Using IT, at UK NQF Level 2 (refer NVQ code: Q1052641).

Edexcel qualification in Operating IT Systems, at UK NQF Level 2 (refer NVQ code: Q1052638).

NCC Education`s International Certificate in Computer Studies for IT Professionals.

Various local short learning programs were also referenced to determine the local demand and structure of the Qualification.

This Qualification combines the NQF Levels principles and requirements, with Internationally accepted Knowledge Areas required in End User Computing, to address the specific needs of the South African environment.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This Qualification articulates horizontally with the following Qualifications:

The National Certificate in Tourism: Reception: NQF Level 4.

The National Certificate in Hospitality Reception: NQF Level 4.

The National Certificate in Management: NQF Level 4.

The National Certificate in Project Management: NQF Level 4.

The National Certificate in Public Relations: NQF Level 4.

Vertical articulation is possible with the following Qualifications:

National Certificate in Business Administration: NQF Level 5.

National Certificate in Public Administration: NQF Level 5.

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 ETQA.

Any institution offering learning of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA/SETA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA.

Moderation should also validate the achievement of competencies and assessment processes as described in exit level outcomes and Integrated Assessment options as described in the Qualification.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The assessor must have completed:

A similar qualification or from the same family of Qualifications, above the level of the Qualification.

A minimum of two years relevant experience.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

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.	CTU Training Solutions