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

Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Management and Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49129  Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Management and Administration 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Administration 
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
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  140  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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 purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge to further their learning in the field of Business Administration, and in order to advance their careers, as well as to qualify for entry to an appropriate Diploma qualification at NQF Level 5.

The qualification will allow entry into, or further development and expertise in, the following areas of application:
  • Accounting
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business communication in a first and second language
  • Computer skills
  • Risk and project management
  • Business management and governance
  • Marketing
  • Corporate secretaryship
  • Business calculations

    Qualifying learners are capable of:
  • Engaging in sustained oral communication and evaluating spoken texts
  • Reading, analysing and responding to a variety of texts
  • Writing for a wide range of contexts
  • Using language and communication in occupational learning programmes
  • Representing, analysing and calculating shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts
  • Applying knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems
  • Using mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, and national issues
  • Accommodating audience and context needs in oral communication in a second language
  • Interpreting and using information from texts in a second language
  • Writing texts for a range of communicative contexts in a second language
  • Interpreting a variety of literary texts in a second language
  • Producing accounting reports
  • Recording and processing workplace transactions
  • Assessing legal contracts for business
  • Complying to legal requirements in business
  • Analysing people related risks in an organisation in order to control the risk
  • Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of South African law and the regulation of risk management
  • Determining risk exposure in order to manage the risk in a specific situation
  • Explaining the nature of risk and the risk management process
  • Developing administrative procedures in a selected organisation
  • Managing administration records
  • Applying efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section

    Qualifying learners will also elect to attain competencies from among the following:
  • Showing entrepreneurial competence
  • Managing entrepreneurial finance
  • Monitoring marketing information flow and collecting and processing marketing data
  • Identifying and utilising marketing resources to meet objectives
  • Liaising with a range of customers of a business
  • Describing features, advantages and benefits of a range of products
  • Applying basic business principles
  • Describing information systems departments in business organisations
  • Applying problem solving strategies
  • Investigating the use of computer technology in an organisation
  • Describing and installing a facsimile machine
  • Describing and installing computer printers
  • Describing and installing scanning systems
  • Describing and installing photocopier machines
  • Installing a personal computer or handheld computer and peripherals

    Rationale

    The area of employment to which this FETC: Management and Administration, would apply consists mostly of clerical and administrative workers in the financial or similar fields, who may or may not have any recognised qualification/s. This qualification addresses the need to assess the competencies of generic personnel requiring a background in governance, accounting and administration in order to provide opportunities for recognition and career advancement. Social and economic rationales for this qualification include the encouragement of redress for the previously disadvantaged, facilitation of access to a qualification, career advancement, further learning and personal development.

    This qualification aims to address the need for applied numeric and communication competence in this learning area, as a fundamental component, while providing a means of recognising prior learning whereby, for example, credit can be given for competent financial or computer skills.

    The greatest need for competence at this level is with regard to:
  • Office workers who have no formal qualification, and who wish to progress in their administrative or clerical career
  • Learners who, for a variety of circumstances, did not access a senior certificate

    The wide range of skills included in this qualification gives the learner a holistic understanding of the business environment in which governance and administration personnel operate, as well as a variety of clerical skills, and provides the industry and its clients with competent professionals.

    This qualification is aimed at current employees as well as new personnel entering the field of management and administration. The qualification provides the opportunity for such individuals to pursue a career in governance and administration by developing themselves through NQF qualifications as per the career path outlined below:
  • National Certificate in Business Administration Services at NQF Level 3. At this point learners are introduced to office administration, basic business principles, human resources and information technology with options to delve into accounting and governance. They are routinely supervised.
  • National Certificate in Business Administration: (Management and Administration) at NQF Level 4. Learners at this level are developing core proficiency in a key business area as well as gaining exposure to the corresponding governance and administration areas of learning and applications while still ensuring broad understanding. They are given some responsibilities under supervision.
  • National Certificate, and National Diploma in Management Administration: Level 5, Diploma and Advanced. These will allow for progression vertically within corporate structures or horizontally across companies and sectors.

    Such a career path allows individuals to work in industries or organisations of their choosing. Business administration skills developed in this learning path would have a bias towards business governance and administration; however the training should be such that individuals can apply the learning in businesses where the solutions are based on a variety of other areas of knowledge or technologies. Personnel who are developed through this qualification also develop entrepreneurial, financial and marketing skills. Such expertise is becoming necessary in the South African economy in order to develop people who are able to create business opportunities and unlock potential value.

    The FETC is designed to meet the needs of the learners who are already employed and involved in the organisational office environment. Additionally, however, it will also meet the needs and aspirations of the youth and unemployed who wish to pursue a career in business administration and associated fields, or in other fields where this learning may be useful. This includes adult learners who want to enter the sector or develop their careers in one or more of the related learning areas. Since the Certificate is part of a learning pathway, it will allow mobility to persons operating at any level in the field.

    The qualification provides learners with a consolidated grounding in the field of business administration. This will enable them to understand the South African and global business governance and administration arena and will underpin their ability to use this learning in various business environments. The development of competence in this field will lead to better service delivery, company longevity, the promotion of wealth and job creation.

    This qualification recognises the fact that knowledge and the application of organisational governance and administration is a business imperative, necessary for the success of any organisation, both strategically and operationally. This FETC is thus designed to enable individuals to develop their theoretical competencies and the practical skills to operate effectively in the field.

    This qualification also reflects some of the needs of the business sector both now and in the future.

    The impact of the qualification on society and the economy is reflected in the multiple job roles and careers that can stem from the qualification, including self-employment opportunities, job creation opportunities and the development of, or entry to, learners who are employed within the private or public sector. It can further stimulate and support skills development in the SMME sector.

    This qualification is also ideal for the development of a number of learnerships leading to the attainment of the qualification and so to improved career opportunities for employed and unemployed learners. 

  • 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

    Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

    This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning and the qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses, providing they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the individual unit standards as required by the Fundamental, Core and Elective areas stipulated in the qualification and by the exit level outcomes.

    An RPL process may also be used to credit learners with individual unit standards in which they have developed the necessary competency as a result of workplace and experiential learning

    Learners submitting themselves for RPL assessment should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes.

    The approach taken to RPL in this qualification reflects the objectives of the NQF in that it will allow access to qualifications for a large section of previously disadvantaged persons who were marginalised from mainstream education and training. RPL will also provide access for the youth and unemployed to embark on learning and career path progression. However RPL is perhaps more relevant to provide recognition of experience acquired over many years in the workplace for those already employed. RPL will allow these persons to accumulate credits for experiential learning gained. In this way, as a result of RPL, each of these groups of individuals will be able to receive portable, nationally recognised formal qualifications. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    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 140 credits as detailed below.

    Fundamental Component:

    The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in:
  • 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.

    All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory.

    Core Component:
  • The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 64 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Elective Component:
  • The Elective Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 83 credits. Learners are to choose Unit Standards to the minimum of 20 credits. With the approval of the relevant ETQA, learners may choose any registered Unit Standard which contributes to the improvement of their work performance or in which they have a particular interest. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate at an effective and appropriate level in a business environment in two languages.

    2. Use mathematics and numeracy to advantage in a commercial setting.

    3. Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of governance.

    4. Use the fundamentals of accounting correctly.

    5. Perform office administration tasks.

    6. Gain insight into the foundation areas of entrepreneurship.

    7. Apply business methods in a new venture.

    8. The role of information technology in a small business can be explained.


    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

    The various constituent Core parts of the qualification, namely Fundamentals of governance, Fundamentals of accounting and Office administration, as well as the Fundamental and Elective components, present numerous opportunities to develop each of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. It is anticipated that accredited service providers will readily be able to do so.

    It is apparent that the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes will easily be developed as an intrinsic part of any learning programme:
  • The nature of the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria is such that creative problem-solving is explicitly required.
  • Team and group work is a functional necessity and the Associated Assessment Criteria specify this.
  • The same considerations as in 2 above apply to the capacity of the individual learner in "managing and organising him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively".
  • In participating in defining a solution to various related problems at hand, each learner is required to "collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information".
  • Communicating effectively is explicitly part of the requirements built into the Fundamental component of the qualification.
  • In Governance and Administration development within an organisational setting, a systemic approach is encouraged throughout.

    More detail will be provided within each Unit Standard of how the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes need to be emphasised. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Exit Level 1:
  • Sustained oral communication is engaged in and spoken texts can be evaluated and responded to as shown in a business environment.
  • Written reports are produced over a wide range of contexts.
  • A variety of texts are read, analysed and responded to according to organisational requirements.

    Exit Level 2:
  • Mathematics is used correctly in business calculations.
  • Mathematical computations are correctly used in personal everyday situations mentally and/or using a calculator

    Exit Level 3:
  • Legal contracts in the business context are interpreted and explained in a presentation on the topic.
  • Legal requirements relating to businesses are complied with.
  • People related risks are analysed in an organisation in order to control the risk.
  • Knowledge and understanding of South African law as it applies to risk management is demonstrated in a discussion with a coach/mentor.
  • Risk exposure is determined in order to manage the risk in a specific situation.
  • The nature of risk and the risk management process is explained to a group of peers.

    Exit Level 4:
  • Accurate accounting reports are produced in the accepted formats.
  • Workplace transactions are correctly and accurately recorded and processed.

    Exit Level 5:
  • Administrative procedures in a selected organisation are utilised according to organisational procedures.
  • The comprehensive, accurate and appropriate record keeping of a company is managed according to organisational procedure.
  • Efficient time management is applied to the work of a department/division or section.

    Exit Level 6:
  • Entrepreneurial competence is demonstrated in the formation of a small business.
  • Entrepreneurial finance and funding is managed in a business setting.
  • Marketing information flow is monitored and collected in order to process marketing data for a new business venture.
  • Marketing resources are identified and utilised in order to meet business objectives.

    Exit Level 7:
  • A range of customers can be liaised with for a series of business issues.
  • Features, advantages and benefits of a range of products or services can be described to a group of peers.
  • Basic business principles can be applied to a new venture.

    Exit Level 8:
  • Information systems departments can be described as they apply to business organisations.
  • Problem solving strategies can be applied.
  • The use of computer technology in an organisation is investigated and applied.

    Integrated Assessment

    The qualification and its associated assessment criteria have been designed so that assessment is fully integrated with the learning. The assessment must take place in an authentic setting:
  • Demonstrate competence by means of the practical application of the embedded knowledge in a manner that meets the required performance standards,
  • Illustrate a clear understanding of the concepts, theory and principles that underpin the practical action taken.

    The emphasis throughout the qualification should be on continuous, formative assessment. Much of this is achieved in "sites of application" and involves a range of assessment tools, which will include a degree of self and peer assessment. A number of appropriate summative assessments should be planned at specific times, by assessor and learner jointly, throughout the learning process.

    As a result of a range of ongoing assessment approaches in terms of testing and evaluating the fundamental, practical and reflexive competence of the learner, a skills matrix should be produced. This will clearly indicate not only the knowledge gaps and skills deficits of the individual, but also highlight the learner's strengths and weaknesses related to the other elements of applied competence, namely:
  • Information processing and the power of analysis
  • Problem solving and a decision making capacity
  • Communication skills.

    The assessment process should be capable of being applied to RPL, subject to the policy and criteria of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance body (ETQA). 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The unit standards set out in this document have been developed in line with international standards for the same level of learning and application, whilst remaining cognisant of the South African context.

    This qualification compares favourably with similar offerings based abroad. Options include Certificate and Bachelor level qualifications in Business, Business Administration and Office Administration. Alternatives from Australia, America and Cyprus were reviewed and can be found at:

    www.informaticsgroup.com/tbs/uol_am.htm
    www.tauondi.sa.edu.au/business/
    www.kes.ac.cy/college/courses/ 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has been developed for mobility across industries and is intended to allow for further learning towards higher level qualifications in Business Administration, or specialisation within a component of Business Administration
    (for example, human resource related administration). 

    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, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has an MOU with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation of that ETQA, in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between various 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 all 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 exit level outcomes of 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, or with an ETQA that has an MOU with the relevant ETQA.

    The options as listed above provide the opportunity to ensure that assessment and moderation can be transparent, affordable, valid, reliable and non-discriminatory. Iteration of the process, and continued review and maintenance of this qualification will ensure development of the NQF and this framework in particular. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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  14999  Analyse people related risks in an organisation in order to control the risk  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  117495  Assess legal contracts for business  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  117494  Comply to legal requirements in business  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  15007  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of South African law and the regulation of risk management  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  15008  Determine risk exposure in order to manage the risk in a specific situation  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  110003  Develop administrative procedures in a selected organisation  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  14995  Explain the nature of risk and the risk management process  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  110009  Manage administration records  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  117491  Produce accounting reports  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  117492  Record and process workplace transactions  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  15234  Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8972  Interpret a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  117497  Apply basic business principles  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  14927  Apply problem solving strategies  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  114598  Demonstrate an understanding of an entrepreneurial profile  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  117499  Demonstrate entrepreneurial competence  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  14952  Describe and install a facsimile machine  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14945  Describe and install computer printers  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14946  Describe and install photocopier machines  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14936  Describe and install scanning systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  10324  Describe features, advantages and benefits of a range of products or services  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14926  Describe information systems departments in business organisations  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  10013  Identify and utilise marketing resources to meet objectives  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14950  Install a personal computer or handheld computer and peripherals  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14963  Investigate the use of computer technology in an organisation  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  10024  Liaise with a range of customers of a business  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  117500  Manage finance in a small business  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  10027  Monitor marketing information flow and collect process marketing data  Level 4  NQF Level 04 


    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.