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

National Certificate: Collective Investment Schemes 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20638  National Certificate: Collective Investment Schemes 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Financial Services 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
INSETA - Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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 "Registered" 
SAQA 0639/01  2001-12-05  2004-12-05 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2005-12-05   2008-12-05  

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 the qualification is to build knowledge and skill required by employees in collective investment scheme who have had schooling at or below NQF level 4. It is intended to empower learners to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to operate confidently as individuals in the South African community and to respond to the challenges of the economic environment and changing world of work in the financial services industry.

As a qualification that covers collective investment schemes and insurance related learning, it provides a framework for learners to develop competencies that will give them insight into the financial services industry in general. It includes a basic study of the financial services industry and the collective investment schemes sub sector. It introduces a basic understanding of the key terms, rules, concepts and principles of the field that will enable learners to be informed workers in the industry. It provides a balanced learning experience that allows flexible access to life long learning, higher education and to productive employment in a range of occupational contexts within the financial services industry. It provides an opportunity for learners to learn and apply academic skills in relation to the workplace and will allow for multi-skilling.

The National Certificate in Collective investment scheme: Level 4 is intended for personnel employed in the collective investment schemes / investment and financial services industries. The focus is on basic information gathering, analysis, presentation and the ability to apply knowledge of the field to solve routine problems within given frameworks.

Qualifying learners are capable of:
  • Carrying out basic research, information gathering and analysis.
  • Relating needs and wants to the development and selection of collective investment schemes products.
  • Interpreting current affairs and their influence on the collective investment schemes industry.
  • Managing risk in their own lives.
  • Operating a computer for business purposes.

    Depending on the unit standards selected as electives, the learner will become competent in basic skills relating to:
  • Use of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
  • Call centres
  • Sales and marketing
  • Financial Services related legislation
  • Risk in financial services.

    These unit standards are intended to develop building blocks for the further development of skills that will make the learner a more fulfilled, informed, efficient and cost effective worker in the industry. This should result, in turn, in more effective and efficient service to the consumer and should make the industry more competitive in the global market.


    Rationale for the qualification

    The National Certificate in Collective investment schemes: Level 4 is designed to meet the needs of people who work in financial services call centres and sales, marketing and management within the Collective investment scheme sub sector. It provides a broad introduction to the collective investment schemes industry and is the first step on a career path for learners who:
  • Have attained the National Certificate in Insurance: Level 3 and wish to continue on a path of life-long learning.
  • 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 collective investment schemes sub sector for many years, but have no formal qualifications in collective investment scheme.
  • Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the industry so that they can become knowledge workers in the industry.
  • Are in a learnership in the collective investment schemes sub sector.
  • Have recently taken up a position in the collective investment schemes sub sector.

    The National Certificate in Collective investment schemes: Level 4 allows the individual to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. It is flexible enough to accommodate both learners in formal education and learners already employed in the collective investment schemes sub sector or in the insurance sector that invests extensively in collective investment schemes. It aims to develop informed and skilled learners in the collective investment schemes and insurance sector. The qualification at this level is the start of a career path in collective investment scheme, but is still generic enough to allow maximum mobility between the different sub-sectors of the financial services industry. Learning paths are not strongly indicated although the electives selected will indicate an interest in a possible learning pathway in call centres, sales, marketing or management at level 5.

    The intention is:
  • To promote the development of knowledge and skills that are required in the collective investment schemes and insurance sub-sectors of the insurance industry.
  • To release the potential of people.
  • To provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain.
  • To provide opportunities for people in financial services who work with collective investment schemes.

    Learners already employed in the collective investment schemes sub sector and insurance at this level do work that requires a well-developed knowledge of investment products and techniques and a range of skills. Many of the work roles are linked to sales and financial advice. The qualification therefore includes unit standards that require competence in the sales function.

    They include, but are not limited to:
  • Internal Broker Consultants
  • Brokers
  • Pension Fund Administrators
  • Client Service providers
  • Insurance/Collective investment schemes Call Centre agents
  • Intermediaries
  • Marketing and sales agents

    The National Certificate in Collective investment schemes: Level 4 should produce knowledgeable, multi-skilled workers who are able to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the financial services industry in general and the collective investment schemes sub sector in particular. It should provide the means for current workers to receive recognition of prior learning and to upgrade their skills. It should also assist new entrants to the industry. The qualification is structured in a way that exposes learners to different kinds of investments with a view to enabling them to make an informed choice of a career path linked to financial investments. It is anticipated that this qualification will promote the notion of life long learning. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The unit standards that make up the certificate are the building blocks of knowledge and skill that are necessary for the proposed level 5 diploma. Only communication, mathematical literacy and financial literacy at level 3 are assumed.


    Recognition of Prior Learning

    The National Certificate in Collective investment scheme: Level 4 allows open access. Provision has been made for prior learning to be recognised if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. Application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) should be made to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may allow for accelerated access to further learning.
  • Credit towards a unit standard is subject to quality assurance by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA and is conducted by a workplace assessor. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Qualifying learners should be capable of:
  • Co-ordinating with others.
  • Applying the methods, procedures and techniques of the collective investment schemes sub field.
  • Operating as informed employees in the collective investment schemes sub sector.
  • Understanding the structure and the market of the collective investment schemes industry and their role and place in that structure.
  • Selecting a possible career path at level 5.
  • Gathering, analysing and presenting information
  • Understanding the legislation that regulates the collective investment schemes industry.
  • Operating within clearly defined contexts within the collective investment schemes legislation with limited scope for decision making and responsibility.

    The learner is able to demonstrate ability to:
  • Identify and solve problems related to investment options in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. S/he is required to match the needs of potential customers to available products and apply knowledge of customer profiles to different situations.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community as collective investments, by their nature, require teamwork.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively in that it is expected that the learner will be responsible for his/her own learning and for organising his/her own work allocated tasks responsibly in the work environment. S/he is required to complete research assignments timeously and to apply knowledge of different aspects of investment and insurance to provide for his/her own financial security and manage his/her own finances.
  • Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. These competencies are built into the assessment criteria in many of the unit standards and the learner is required to do research projects and as analyse information from the media.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations. These competencies are an integral part of all the unit standards and are built into the assessment criteria.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others in that the collective investment schemes environment is technology driven and very few activities take place without the application of technology. The inclusion of computer end user standards ensures that this critical cross-field outcome receives attention. The learner is also expected to access information from electronic media.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in that references are made wherever applicable to the learner`s part in the big picture and how his/her actions have implications up and down the line.

    In addition this qualification contributes to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make the individual aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively in order to become an informed worker in the collective investment schemes and financial services industry.
  • Being culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts in dealing with diverse people in the workplace including customers, co-workers and people who are surveyed or interviewed. The inclusion of an additional official South African language further supports this outcome.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities in investigating different positions in the industry. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment

    Assessment practices must be fair, transparent, valid, reliable and should ensure that no learner is disadvantaged. Learners who wish to be assessed against these standards should direct enquiries to the Insurance Sector Quality Authority, INSQA.

    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 financial literacy should use authentic insurance contexts wherever practical.
  • Assessment has a formative monitoring function. Formative assessment should be used to assess gaps in the learner`s 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 trainer. 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 
    During the unit standard generation process, writing teams consulted numerous Internet web sites to access collective investment schemes standards and qualifications from other countries for comparison purposes. No unit standards were found. The following web sites were consulted:
  • British Standards Online www.bsi-global.com
  • Standards Council of Canada www.scc.ca
  • NSSB (National Skills Standards Board - USA) www.nssb.org
  • Financial Services Standards Resources at Business.com www.business.com
  • The Investment Funds Institute of Canada www.ific.ca
  • The Collective investment schemes Association - England www.investmentfunds.org.uk
  • British Standards Institution www.bsi-global.com 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by the Insurance Sector Quality Authority (INSQA) or a relevant accredited ETQA. The mechanisms and requirements for moderation will be contained in the document obtainable from INSQA in 2001, INSQA framework for assessment and moderation.
  • Assessors must be registered with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Moderators, competent at the level of the qualification, are registered by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA to ensure that the standard across assessors is consistent.
  • Moderators are required to be competent in assessment practices.
  • Moderators are required to report to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA. (See INSQA framework and guidelines for assessment and moderation for details.)
  • Institutions and providers offering learning that will lead to the achievement of the National Certificate in Collective investment scheme: Level 4 must be accredited as providers with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will monitor and quality assure moderation and assessment according to guidelines in the qualification and INSQA procedures.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will assure the quality of all learning programmes in collaboration with other SETAs in different economic sectors. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Criteria for registration of internal and external assessors in the sub-field

    This qualification will be internally assessed by the provider and moderated by a moderator registered by the Insurance Sector Quality Authority (INSQA) or a relevant accredited ETQA. The mechanisms and requirements for moderation will be contained in the document obtainable from INSQA in 2001, INSQA framework for assessment and moderation.
  • Assessors must be registered with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Moderators competent at the level of the qualification, are registered by INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA to ensure that the standard across assessors is consistent.
  • Moderators are required to be competent in assessment practices.
  • Moderators are required to report to INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA. (See INSQA framework and guidelines for assessment and moderation for details.)
  • Institutions and providers offering learning that will lead to the achievement of the National Certificate in Collective investment scheme: Level 4 must be accredited as providers with INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA.
  • INSQA or a relevant accredited ETQA will monitor and quality assure moderation and assessment. According to guidelines in the qualification and INSQA procedures.
  • INSQA will assure the quality of all learning programmes in collaboration with other SETAS in different economic sectors. 

  • NOTES 
    Note that the majority of the credits relate directly to collective investment scheme and insurance and the remainder are from financial services related fields. The qualification is made up unit standards at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5.


    Motivation for number of credits assigned to fundamental, core and elective

    Fundamental credits

    SAQA stipulates that at least 36 credits are allocated to Communication and Mathematical Literacy. For the purpose of this qualification 10 credits are also required for Financial Literacy at level 4. Although this is not a SAQA requirement, the industry believes that if learners are to function in a field that manages people`s money, they should be able to manage their own money. This means that 46 credits are allocated to fundamental and will add value to learners both socially and economically in terms of:
  • Their ability to manage their own finances.
  • Their ability to operate as literate and numerate workers in a global economy.
  • Their ability to be informed consumers of the financial services industry.
  • An awareness of the need to avoid the debt spiral that undermines the economy of South Africa.

    At this level decisions are based on management of own finances including responsibility for dependents and finances of a small business or organisation.

    Core

    Fifty-eight credits have been allocated to unit standards designated as core for the purpose of this qualification. This is to ensure that the qualification has a strong collective investment schemes and insurance sub-sector focus. The Unit Standards classified as Core describe THE BIG PICTURE. They answer the question, What is the financial services sector in general and the collective investment schemes industry in particular all about? They provide an opportunity to develop knowledge of the industry through research and the application of study skills. They introduce learners to collective investment schemes and other investment instruments. The core unit standards provide the basic knowledge and skills that workers in financial services in general need to know about collective investment schemes as an investment. They also promote personal development that will enable learners to make informed decisions about their own investments.

    Electives

    Learners are required to select electives that add up to at least 16 credits. There are insurance/investment unit standards at level 3, 4 and 5 in this category. It is anticipated that additional unit standards will be written by the year 2003 when the qualification is reviewed. The insurance sub-sector unit standards in this section generally carry 2, 3 or 4 credits each. Additional unit standards from financial services may be added to the list of electives as soon as they are registered.

    Four end-user computing standards are included in this category as there are very few positions in the industry that do not require the use of a computer. One unit standard at level 2 on the use of the World Wide Web is included as an elective as the use of Internet is essential in the collective investment schemes sub sector in particular and financial services in general.

    There are unit standards for communication at level 2 to 4 that have been registered by NSB 04. This qualification makes provision for learners to demonstrate competence in communication in a South African language other than the language of business to be offered as an insurance/investment related elective at level 3 or above as part of the National Certificate in Collective investment scheme: Level 4. It is assumed that the language of business is probably English. The other official languages are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, IsiZulu and sign language. The selection of an additional official language should be based on the language(s) of the people who are the target market of the industry in a selected area, provided that:
  • The language has not been offered under fundamental.
  • The learner has not already received credit for the language at the same level in the National Certificate in Insurance Administration: Level 3.
  • Only one language from the Nguni group may be offered as either elective or fundamental.
  • Only one language from the Sotho group may be offered as either elective or fundamental.

    This reflects the multi-lingual nature of South African society and acknowledges the fact that the largest untapped market for investment products is in the Black community. Ability to communicate in more than one South African language is an advantage in many roles within the sector. The inclusion of an additional official South African language in collective investment schemes qualifications will lead to better customer service in a growing market sector.

    Unit Standards from NSB 07: SGB Democracy, Human Rights and Peace Education may be included in this qualification once they are registered. This will contribute to the personal and social development of the learner and enable them to function as informed members of a democratic society.

    In addition, unit standards from sales, marketing, management, accounting, call centres and other related financial services sub sectors may be included as electives to ensure relevance of the qualification to people in different positions in the sub-sector. 

  • UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  8990  Describe collective investment schemes  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  9001  Explain basic transactions in the collective investment industry  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  9000  Indicate how collective investment scheme portfolios are reported  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  8994  Manage risk in own life  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  8999  Outline the structure of the collective investment industry  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  8986  Research the history of the Financial Services Industry in South Africa  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Core  12182  Analyse new developments reported in the media that could impact on the collective investment industry  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  12166  Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the Collective Investment Schemes Act, 45 of 2003 (CICSA)  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12165  Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the Unit Trust Control Act (1981 amended 1988)  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12164  Demonstrate knowledge and insight of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS) (Act 37 of 2002)  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12181  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic investment techniques  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12170  Describe different types of equity based investments  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12171  Describe different types of interest bearing investments and compare these to equities  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12180  Describe the sales function in a Collective Investment Scheme Manager  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  12183  Indicate how different needs lead to the development of different investment products  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Core  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  9302  Access information in order to respond to client enquiries in a financial services environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8971  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  9303  Communicate verbally with clients in a financial environment  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  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  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  10389  Describe the basic principles of personal income tax  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  10385  Develop a business plan for a small business  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8977  Evaluate literary texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  10388  Interpret basic financial statements  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  10386  Investigate the possibilities of establishing and running a small business enterprise (SMME)  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  10387  Investigate ways of managing financial risk in own lives  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8978  Motivate judgements on selected literary 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  7573  Demonstrate ability to use the World Wide Web  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  7567  Produce and use spreadsheets for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  7575  Produce presentation documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  7570  Produce word processing documents for business  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  12168  Analyse the Financial Services industry and the role of insurance in a business environment  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  12167  Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the Capital Gains Tax Legislation as it applies to insurance and investment  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  14315  Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the Income Tax Act (58 of 1962 and the accompanying regulations) as amended as it applies to insurance and investment products  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  12185  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of risk in a financial services environment  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 


    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.