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: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro Finance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
23433  Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro Finance 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Financial Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
BANKSETA - Banking Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  144  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  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 
The Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance; NQF Level 4 covers the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required by an employee to manage the operations of Micro-Finance institutions. While this person could spend considerable time performing the duties of a Micro-Finance operator i.e. having face-to- face contact with clients, the learner will also oversee the operations in the institution. This function will include the development of client repayment management schemes, developing and implementing credit policies, procedures and control systems and developing administrative systems for the institution. The learner will also have to be able to identify possible fraudulent practices in the institution and prevent them from occurring. Market research and the development of services to attract new clients, as well as managing existing clients to retain them, is also an inherent part of the work of the learner accessing this Qualification. The knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required by a person to perform these duties efficiently and effectively in a Micro-Finance environment are contained in the Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance Level 4.

The Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance Level 4 will provide qualifying learners with a Qualification registered at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This is a specialist Qualification that will allow learners to proceed to a Financial Services or any other Business, Commerce and Management Studies Qualification at NQF level 5 or 6.

The Qualification provides knowledge of and practical skills in Micro-Finance as well as the opportunity to progress along a career path for learners who:

Have worked in the sector for any number of years but have no formal Qualifications in Micro-Finance
Wish to enter the Micro-Finance sector and work towards a nationally recognised Qualification
Were previously denied access to further education and training (but who may now proceed through RPL)
Want to extend their range of knowledge and skills of the sector so that they can become knowledgeable workers in the sector.
Want to manage the operations in a Micro-Finance enterprise

. RATIONALE FOR THE QUALIFICATION:

The Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance: NQF level 4 is the second of two Qualifications that have been designed to address a number of issues in the Micro-Finance sector that have been neglected in the past, even though the sector is well established in South Africa.

These issues include:
Lack of efficiency and effectiveness in the sector
Low levels of competition in the sector
Training and capacity-building of employees internally to a national standard by companies in the sector in general
The availability of formal Qualifications in South Africa that acknowledge the knowledge, skills and expertise that are possessed and required by employees in the sector and which will form the basis for further learning in the sub-field and/or lead to the acquisition of other related Qualifications in a process of life-long learning.

This Qualification provides knowledge of and practical skills in Micro-Finance as well as progress along a career path for learners who:

Have worked in the sector for a number of years but have no formal Qualifications in Micro-Financer
Wish to enter the Micro-Finance sector and work towards a nationally recognised Qualification
Were previously denied access to further education and training
Want to extend their knowledge of and skills in the sector

This Qualification is aimed at learners in formal education as well as learners already employed in the sector. It is specifically geared at employees in the Micro-Finance sector who have to manage the operations in a Micro-Finance organisation while at the same time performing routine Micro-Finance tasks.

Although this is a Financial Services Qualification, it is specifically focused on Micro-Finance. This sector is different from the broader financial sector in terms of the types of businesses that operate in the sector, types of loans and regularity of business.
Micro-Finance refers to small savings and loans transactions. Micro-Finance also includes clients from the poorer socio-economic groups of South Africans who receive no or limited services from the commercial banking sector.

The Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance: NQF level 4 is the second Qualification in a learning pathway in the Micro-Finance field that articulates with other Qualifications in the Banking sector.

It is aimed at developing informed and skilled workers in a sector that has had great growth since 1990. The sector in 2002 consisted of more than 30 000 employees, 10 million clients and R25b granted in loans. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners are competent in:
Communication at NQF Level 3
Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The Qualification consists of a Fundamental, a Core and an Elective Component.

To be awarded the Qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 144 credits as detailed below.

Fundamental component

The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 to the value of 16 credits
  • Communication at Level 4 in a First South African Language to the value of 20 credits
  • Communication in a Second South African Language at Level 3 to the value of 23 credits

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

    All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory (59 credits).

    Core component

    The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 73 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Elective component

    The Elective Component consists of individual unit standards from which the learner must choose unit standards totalling a minimum of 12 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Qualifying learners are able to perform all the functions of the operational management of a Micro-Finance institution. There is specific emphasis on the development and implementation of operational procedures.

    Exit Level Outcomes for this Qualification include:

    Use a range of project management tools in a Micro-Finance environment
    Develop and implement credit policies, procedures and control systems
    Develop and implement client repayment systems
    Develop and implement cash management policies and procedures
    Conduct a market analysis and determine the target market for a Micro-
    Finance institution
    Manage and prevent fraud in a Micro-Finance institution
    Manage loan portfolios including those "at risk" of defaulting
    Develop contracts with service providers and manage their outputs
    Conduct a financial analysis of a small business in order to approve or
    Decline a loan application
    Develop and implement all administrative systems in a Micro-Finance environment.

    Critical Outcomes

    1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.
    3. Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
    4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem - solving contexts do not exist in isolation
    8. Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and
    economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention
    of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

    8.1 Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    8.2 Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
    8.3 Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
    8.4 Exploring education and career opportunities.
    8.5 Developing entrepreneurial opportunities 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In particular, assessors should check that the learner can demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • Developing a credit application policy, which meets the needs of customers, the organisation and legal requirements
  • Approving loan applications using the lending policy criteria of a Micro-Finance institution
  • Developing and implementing Repayment procedures to ensure targets are met as determined by the Micro-Finance institution
  • Correctly identifying the target market for a Micro-Finance institution and designing appropriate products and services to meet the needs of the target market
  • Managing and reducing internal and external fraud risks in line with organisational requirements, policies and procedures
  • Managing the outputs of service providers in line with organisational policies and practices
  • Conducting Financial Analyses to meet organisational requirements
  • Utilising all existing information about small businesses to make informed decisions about loan applications
  • Developing Administrative systems, which meet the legal and procedural needs of a Micro-Finance institution.


    Integrated assessment:

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

    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 end user computing should use authentic micro finance 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 facilitator of learning. 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 
    An extensive search was done of overseas Qualifications in this sub-field and the following International consultants and institutions were contacted in this regard as well:

    Roland Pearson Director of AFCAP - The African Capacity Building Initiative
    Betty Sabana training manager of AFCAP
    Prof Douglas Graham and Dr Richard Meyer of the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
    Silvia Wisnivski and Michael Fiebig of the German Bank Academy
    Dr Richard Roberts, Chief of the Agricultural Finance and Marketing Division of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United States
    CGAP - The Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest.

    It was ascertained that internationally no Qualifications exist in this field, but that training institutions and employers in most countries offer stand-alone short courses relating to specific issues in the Micro-Finance field that are topical at the time. That international approach differs from that of this Qualification, and that of the one at NQF Level 3, in that the International approach does not include Fundamental and Core competencies that are required by all employees in the sector and combine them into a complete Qualification. The emphasis in the rest of the world is to have short skills courses that meet the short-term training needs of staff.

    The African Capacity Building Initiative (AFCAP) runs the only comparable approach out of Kenya for Eastern and Southern Africa. AFCAP use the courses of The Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP). Only recently the German Banking Academy started looking at similar types of Qualifications for the Micro-Finance sector

    The Further Education and Training Certificate: Micro-Finance NQF level 4 and the National Certificate in Micro-Finance NQF level 3 have been aligned with the AFCAP/CGAP courses.

    It must be emphasised that this Qualification and the level 3 Qualification are groundbreaking work internationally and that courses culminating in a Certificate and/or Diploma covering entry to the sector and/or advanced applications in the sector, do not exist internationally 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification may be assessed internally by the provider and moderated by a moderator who is registered as an assessor with the Bank ETQA or a relevant ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the Bank ETQA or a relevant ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank ETQA.

    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. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors must be registered as an assessor with the Bank ETQA or a relevant ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bank ETQA.

    Assessors should hold a Banking Qualification at NQF level 5 or higher.

    Assessors should have subject matter expertise in the Unit Standards as well as an understanding of the context of the Qualification in order to carry out integrated assessment. 

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

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  10140  Apply a range of project management tools  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  13414  Conduct a financial analysis of a small business  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  110032  Conduct a market analysis for a Micro-Finance institution  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  13445  Develop a client repayment management system  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  110029  Develop administrative procedures in a Micro-Finance organisation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  13426  Develop and implement credit policies, procedures and control systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  13441  Develop cash management procedures in a micro-finance organisation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  13442  Manage and prevent fraud in a micro-finance institution  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Core  13428  Manage loan portfolios  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  13443  Manage service providers in a micro-lending institution  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9960  Communicate verbally and non-verbally in the workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  7785  Function in a business environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  7790  Process incoming and outgoing telephone calls  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  7782  Analyse a business and determine the way it functions  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Elective  7784  Communicate in a business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  10022  Comply with organisational ethics  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  10038  Conduct follow-up with customers to evaluate satisfaction levels  Level 4  NQF Level 04  14 
    Elective  7821  Develop self within the job role  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Elective  10978  Recruit and select candidates to fill defined positions  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  10056  Analyse and interpret data and marketing information  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Elective  11903  Co-ordinate the development and implementation of organisational social responsibility strategies  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  11904  Develop and establish a disciplinary policy and procedure  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  15225  Identify and interpret related legislation and its impact on the team, department or division and ensure compliance  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Elective  10045  Identify product features, advantages and benefits to the customer  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Elective  7865  Improve service to customers  Level 5  NQF Level 05  6 
    Elective  10050  Integrate marketing plans with business process  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
    Elective  10064  Investigate and explain marketing communications concepts  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Elective  11911  Manage individual careers  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 


    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. AAR Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    2. Assured Vocational Skills Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    3. Aubrey Nyiko Business Enterprise cc 
    4. DC Academy 
    5. Get Ready information Services 
    6. Gigimo Tourism Academy 
    7. Jumpstart Training Institute 
    8. MAKHENSA GLOBAL ICT SERVICES 
    9. MAT 007 (PTY) LTD 
    10. Matibidi Raphela Investments (Pty) LTD 
    11. NEW GENERATION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 
    12. Octomate Education Pty Ltd 
    13. RIAPHATHUTSHEDZA 
    14. RUDO CONSULTING cc 
    15. Sinovuyolethu Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    16. Tshirologo Disability Training Services Pty Ltd 


    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.