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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
10713  Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Financial Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2002-06-12  2005-06-12  SAQA 0742/02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2006-06-12   2009-06-12  

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 unit standard is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
119914  Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners who achieve this unit standard can use strategies to improve the structure of their earnings. They do this through better understanding and management of their salary package, and through exploring ways of improving their skills and long term marketability.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Evaluating a work offer in terms of its financial implications.
  • Investigating the financial impact of improving own skills and output through training and career path planning.
  • Compiling Curriculum Vitae.
  • Negotiating a salary package with a prospective or current employer.
  • Explaining the financial and tax implications of allowances in salary packages. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    There is open access to this unit standard. Learners should be competent in Communication, Mathematical Literacy and Financial Literacy at NQF Level 2. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this unit standard is:

    1. Company benefits within various occupations, such as pension, provident fund, group insurance schemes including life cover, death, disability and medical aids.
    2. Typical allowances such as travel, entertainment, subsistence, computer, home office, cell phones.
    3. Own situation wherever possible and case studies where the learner is not yet employed. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Evaluate a work offer in terms of its financial implications 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The immediate financial implications of three work offers are assessed and compared in terms of take home pay. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The financial stability of a company making an offer of employment is investigated for three case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Opportunities for workplace training and study assistance are compared for own position and two work offers and a financial value is placed on access to training and personal development in each position. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The tax impact of the three job offers is calculated in using current tax tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The rate used to tax a lump sum amount such as leave pay is known and the tax on leave pay is calculated for three case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The financial and other implications of early withdrawal from a company pension fund are evaluated in terms of the rules of a pension fund and the implications for tax. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The financial implications of two options for retirement funding are explored and described as both short and long term investments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The option of applying for an internal position transfer is compared to resignation and appointment in a new organisation in terms of pension, medical aid and other benefits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. The implications of changing employer is explored in terms of pension, medical aid and other company benefits. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Investigate the financial impact of improving own skills and output through training, etc. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    Investigate the financial impact of improving own skills and output through training and career path planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Advertisements for work in similar positions to one's own are compared with reference to earnings, skills, formal training, personality types and other possible requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Advertisements are analysed to identify the stated and hidden requirements for a particular position. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The skills or experience needed to fill the gap between current position and a perceived improved position are listed and a plan is drawn up to address own skills gap. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The demand for skills that are most needed within own line of business are researched, listed and compared to own skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Options for upgrading own skills are investigated for three different FET or HET institutions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The cost of upgrading own skills is investigated for an identified skill's gap. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. Possible sources of finance for upgrading ones skills are tabulated, listing the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. The potential salary impact of upgrading one's skills is explored from a short, medium and long term perspective. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    9. Short, medium and long term career goals are set, outlining both the financial and non-financial risks, costs and benefits. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Compile a Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The importance of maintaining a Curriculum Vita is discussed and a system devised to facilitate the currency of own CV. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Critical elements required in a Curriculum Vitae are identified and an indication is given of what should and what should not be included in a CV. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Three CVs are compared and a personal CVs is drawn up in response to specific job requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Negotiate a salary package with a prospective or current employer. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The concept of a salary package is explored in terms of cost to company and the options available to the individual in structuring the package. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. A list of typical compulsory company benefits is compiled based on requirements of the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and a specific contract of employment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The usefulness and advantages of compulsory company benefits are evaluated in relation to varying personal circumstances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The historical purposes, advantages and disadvantages of various typical company benefits are discussed, from both the company's and the individual's point of view. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The cost to a company of providing benefits for an individual is considered and compared to take home pay. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. The advantages and disadvantages of a thirteenth cheque (bonus) over a salary distributed over twelve months are investigated from the perspective of the employee. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    7. The impact of increasing or decreasing various company benefits and structuring an individual salary package to suit own needs is investigated in terms of both financial and non-financial implications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    8. An ideal structure for a salary package is compiled for personal circumstances and/or a case study. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the financial and tax implications of allowances in salary packages 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The concepts of net salary and gross salary are explained with reference to personal circumstances or case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The concepts of allowances and company benefits are explained and the financial benefits of each are described and listed in a table. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The tax implications of receiving allowances and/or benefits are discussed in terms of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) restrictions for certain income sources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The individual's liability to prove expenditure against allowances for tax purposes is explored in terms of SARS requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The financial and taxable benefits of various allowances are calculated for three different case studies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    6. Tax implications are applied to the ideal structure for a salary package. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    This unit standard will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA. The mechanisms and requirements for moderation are contained in the document obtainable from INSQA, - INSQA framework for assessment and moderation. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify, solve problems and make decisions relating to his current and potential earnings. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able work effectively with others as a member of a team in discussing and evaluating the usefulness of typical company benefits. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself effectively by being able to negotiate an appropriately structured salary package or employment contract and manage own performance and career options. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information relating to work requirements within his/her line of business, and apply the information to his/her personal circumstances in the developing a training and career plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentation when engaging with earning-related concepts and contexts and in negotiating employment contracts and benefits with potential or current employers. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to assess the wider societal needs for certain skills and the financial rewards placed on skills in short supply. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard has been replaced by unit standard 119914, which is ' Identify possible ways of improving employment prospects ', level 3, 3 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  49089   National Certificate: Financial Services  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  INSETA 
    Fundamental  48494   National Certificate: Financial Services Management  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  INSETA 
    Fundamental  20177   National Certificate: Insurance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2004-10-10  Was INSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Fundamental  20774   National Certificate: Insurance: Long Term: Risk Assessment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2004-12-05  Was INSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  48783   National Certificate: Financial Services  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  INSETA 
    Elective  48663   National Certificate: Mail Handling  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  48664   Further Education and Training Certificate: Mail Supervision  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  24396   National Certificate: Risk Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2006-10-08  Was INSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  21796   National Certificate: Short Term Insurance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2005-06-12  Was INSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.