PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION The purpose of the qualification is to build the knowledge and skills required by employees in junior management who have had schooling below NQF level 3. It is intended to empower learners to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to operate confidently as junior managers in the South African community and to respond to the challenges of the economic environment and changing world of work. As a qualification that covers management, it provides a framework for learners to develop competencies that will enable them to become competent junior managers. It introduces some theoretical concepts, requires the application of a limited base of knowledge and requires a well-developed range of skills that will enable learners to be informed workers in their chosen industry. It provides a balanced learning experience that allows flexible access to further education, life long learning, higher education and to productive employment in a range of occupational contexts. It provides an opportunity for learners to learn and apply academic skills in relation to management and will provide them with skills to adapt to changes in work procedures and processes in business and industry. The National Certificate in Management: Level 3 is intended for personnel already employed and other learners who intend to follow a career in management. The unit standards classified as core may be added to other industry qualifications to provide a management focus and align qualifications to the work done by learners. Practical competence is within a number of contexts some of which may be non-routine. The focus is on comparison, choice, interpretation and application of knowledge. Qualifying learners are capable of: Carrying out simple research tasks. Interpreting current affairs related to a specific business sector. Recognising the effect of HIV/AIDS on the specific workplace, business sub-sector and own organisation. Applying knowledge of self and team to enhance team performance. Maintaining records. Managing time and the work process. Explaining the structure of an organisation. Conducting a formal meeting. Inducting a new member of a team. Motivating a team. Describing the management function of an organisation. Rationale for the qualification: Management is an essential, key function of a business. The National Certificate in Management: Level 3 is designed to meet the needs of learners who require junior management skills in all sectors of the economy. It is intended for junior managers of business units in medium to large organisations. The term business unit in this qualification implies a cost centre, section or department. It is envisaged that learners who complete this qualification will be engaged in multiple work roles in a variety of organisations and will be able to play a part, at their level, in the implementing of the vision and contributing ultimately to the success of an organisation. Junior management positions in organizations include, but are not limited to team leaders, supervisors, first line managers and section heads. The position or term, "junior manager" is used to describe the first level of management in an organisation at which an employee has other employees reporting to him/her. The National Certificate in Management: NQF Level 3 exposes learners to a broad set of core competencies covering a number of aspects of junior management. It is intended for learners who: Have attained a National Certificate: Level 2 and wish to continue on a path of life-long learning in the field of management. Were previously disadvantaged and were therefore denied access to Further Education and Training or management positions. Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of management so that they progress within their chosen career path. Are team leaders or supervisors and wish to improve their management skills. See themselves as future managers and need to start their training at the lower end of management. The National Certificate in Management: Level 3 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 business or industry. It aims to develop informed and skilled junior managers. The qualification at this level is generic so as to allow maximum mobility between industries. Skills, knowledge, values and attitudes reflected in the qualification are building blocks that will be developed further at NQF level 4. The intention is: To promote the development of knowledge and management skills that are required in all sectors. To release the potential of people. To provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain. Learners already employed in junior management in business and industry at this level do work that requires a well-developed range of skills. The National Certificate in Generic Management: NQF Level 3 should assist junior managers to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the business environment. It should provide the means for current junior managers to receive recognition of prior learning and to upgrade their skills. Qualifying learners should be competent, at a basic level, in competencies relating to: Managing systems and processes, including planning own and group and team members` activities Managing resources Managing teams and individuals, including leading teams and participation in meetings Managing self. Junior managers are generally in positions that require knowledge and expertise in a specific work function. It is therefore envisaged that learners at this level may elect to do a relevant workplace qualification in their field and include the unit standards that are classified as core in the National Certificate in Management: Level 3 as electives in another qualification. This would ensure that they have both industry and management expertise. This support the notion that junior managers are firstly experts in their field and secondly managers. This qualification could also be useful to managers of small businesses.