PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION Purpose: This Qualification is for any individual who is, or wishes to be involved in the property and real estate industry. It serves to support and advance the functioning of individuals in this industry. The attainment of the Qualification represents the prerequisite for admission to the professional examination for estate agents, to be conducted by the Estate Agency Affairs Board, the successful completion of which will entitle the candidate to be registered as a non-principal estate agent by the Estate Agency Affairs Board. A learner will be able to complete the Qualification with a specialisation in Real Estate or Valuation. The core unit standards are relevant to each area of specialisation. Learners working towards this Qualification will find that the acquisition of competence in the Unit Standards that make up the Qualification will add value to their understanding of the sector and functioning in the workplace. This Qualification is intended to enhance the provision of entry-level service within the Property and Real Estate sector. It will provide the broad knowledge, skills and values needed in the Property and Real Estate sector. The Qualification will facilitate access to, mobility within and progression along a learning path for learners who: Were previously disadvantaged or who were unable to complete their schooling and were therefore denied access to Further Education and Training. Have worked in Real Estate for many years, but have no formal Qualification in real estate or property. Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of the industry so that they can become competent workers in the property industry. The Qualification consists of building blocks that can be developed further and will lead to a more specialised learning path in Property and Real Estate at higher NQF levels. It focuses on the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes required to progress further. The intention is: To promote the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required in Property and Real Estate. To help learners realise their potential in the field. To provide opportunities for people to progress to levels of authority and responsibility in the Real Estate sector. Successful learners will be able to apply to the Estate Agency Affairs Board for registration as non-principal estate agents. Rationale: The Real Estate industry is a multi-million rand sector which requires professionals who are well-trained and knowledgeable to meet the housing needs of private citizens and the business community by providing office space and business premises. A wide range of legislation applies to this sector and employees/agents need to understand the relevant legislation and be able to apply it in their execution of their work. This qualification strives to equip the learners to be able to operate effectively and efficiently in the Real Estate sector. The Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate is designed to provide those learners who are already involved in the field of Property and Real Estate. It is also for learners who wish to seek a career in this industry. The Property and Real Estate Industry is a well-established industry and thus has many learners that would benefit from qualifications aligned to career paths. This means there is a need to develop career paths in this sub-field, an industry constantly in need of skilled people. The scope of Real Estate is changing and evolving all the time, with opportunities for learners in this arena to get involved in a wide variety of Real Estate opportunities such as real estate sales, brokerage and leasing, property management, institutional real estate investment, real estate consulting, real estate development. The Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate supports the objectives of the NQF in that it gives the learner access to a Qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. It will therefore ensure that the quality of education and training in the industry is enhanced, and of a comparable standard to Qualifications in other sectors in South Africa and comparable to similar Qualifications internationally.