Overview

The minimum duration of a National Certificate (Vocational) is one full year at each of the NQF levels of study, which is Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. The previous level must have been successfully completed before a candidate can proceed to the next level.

In order to obtain an NC(V) certificate, a candidate must:

1. Complete the programme requirements for the particular NQF level and obtain the distinct outcomes for that particular level; and
2. Comply with the internal and external assessment requirements for all subject offerings for that particular NQF level;
3. Achieve 40% in two fundamental (compulsory) subjects: the required official language and Life Orientation;
4. Achieve 30% in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy; and
5. Achieve 50% in all four vocational subjects.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for entry into the NC (V) a candidate has to have successfully completed at least Grade 9 but preferably higher, be in possession of an NQF Level 1 qualification, be attending an approved bridging programme designed to access NQF Level 2 or meet the basic requirements for access to NQF Level 2 during a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. The duration of the NC (V) is one full year per level, with each level serving as an exit level.

It is important to note that the credits obtained in the NC(V) cannot be combined with credits that a candidate obtained in a Senior Certificate Examination or a National Certificate (N courses for colleges).

Programme Structure

The following structure and combination of subjects is applicable at every level of study of the NC(V) that is Levels 2, 3 and 4.

Three Compulsory subjects

• Language: One of the official South African languages which is also the language of teaching and learning
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
• Life Orientation

Vocational

FOUR VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS

• Three vocational subjects
• One optional vocational subject offered from the same or a different programme

Vocational Activities

• Test programmes and software applications
• Write computer programmes
• Install network cables for computer systems
• Process computer data
• Develop, research and document computer user requirements

A Social Worker helps people of all ages to cope with the problems caused by poverty, unemployment, illness, antisocial behaviour and other social inadequacies.

Typical Job Activities

• The social worker practices in the fields of:
• child and family welfare
• marriage and divorce counselling
• care of the elderly
• medical social work
• psychiatric social work
• social work with the mentally or physically disabled
• social work with alcoholics and drug dependents
• social work with criminal offenders
• social work in the workplace or school
• The social worker uses various working methods, often in combination:
• Case work: The case worker sets up a one-to-one relationship with individuals, visiting them to give personal assistance and encouragement.
• Group work: A group worker organises group activities for people sharing similar problems, interests and needs e.g. the organisation of recreational activities for the elderly.
• Community work: This social worker identifies needs in the community and helps to plan and develop health, housing, rehabilitation and other welfare services.

Related Occupations

• Family planning community worker
• Sociologist
• Social auxiliary worker
• Nursing auxiliary

Educational Requirements

• Senior Certificate with matric exemption
• Any Appropriate degrees or Diploma.

Registration

• The practicing social worker must register with the South African Interim Council for Social Work.

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

• Enjoys working with different kinds of people
• Have a desire to serve others and help them to live fuller lives
• Be sympathetic but objective
• Be reliable and resourceful
• Be even-tempered, tolerant and mature
• Inspires confidence in others
• Have a good understanding of human nature
• Have above average intelligence and verbal abilities
• Have good health and physical stamina

Possible Employers

• Government departments and provincial and local administrators
• National Council for the Care of Physically Disabled Persons in SA
• National Council for the Care of Physically Disabled Persons in SA
• South African Family and Marriage Society (FAMSA)
• Provincial hospitals
• South African National Council regarding Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
• South African National Council for Child and Family Welfare
• Medium or small companies

The foundation of this course lies in Entrepreneurship. The candidate that would make a success of this course and a career in Business Management is the person that is motivated to start their own business. They have tenacity (the “bulldog-mentality” of not letting it go), endurance and the will and enthusiasm to succeed.

The National N-Diploma: Business Management includes the N4 – N6 Certificates that enable students to use the business skills and knowledge learned to pursue a career in Entrepreneurship, run their own businesses, or work in retail, wholesale or generic management environment.

Career Options

What will I be qualified as once I’ve completed this course?

• Entrepreneurship / start and run your own business
• General Management
• Salesperson

What will I be able to do? 

• Draw up a business plan in order to start your own business
• General management roles within any industry, but mostly the Wholesale and Retail industry
• Sell products and services

In which industries will I be able to work?

The variety of industries in which you could work is very wide. All industries need people to sell their products and/or services. Most candidates find positions in Wholesale and Retail, but also in the Insurance and Banking Industry. The ultimate would of course be to start your own small/micro enterprise and build that up so that you could become the employer of people.

What could I do to further improve my skills and my chances of furthering my career?

Achieving the necessary entry requirements at academic level during this course will enable you to continue studying in a business-related field of study. This can be done by completing your National N-Diploma at a TVET College, or studying towards a specific business qualification at an institution of Higher Education, such as a University or University of Technology, based on your academic achievements meeting their specific admission requirements.

Programme Structure

What will I be studying during this course?

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT N4 (6 MONTHS)

• Management Communication N4
• Introductory Accounting N4
• Entrepreneurship & Business Management N4
• Computer Practice N4

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT N5 (6 MONTHS)

• Entrepreneurship & Business Management N5
• Sales Management N5
• Financial Accounting N4
• Computer Practice N5

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT N6 (6 MONTHS)

• Entrepreneurship & Business Management N6
• Sales Management N6
• Financial Accounting N5
• Computer Practice N6

Note: After completing the N6 Certificate, students need to complete 18 months of practical experience in their area of study to obtain a National N-Diploma.

 Admission Requirements

 What do I need to have completed before I can apply to study this course?

Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification

Candidates are expected to pass a short literacy (English) assessment before acceptance into this course. The medium of teaching in this course is English and students must be able to speak and write English.

Duration

• 6 months per level full-time (3 semesters to complete up to N6 level)
• 18 months practical experience
• Enrolment in January and July

Early Childhood Development

This qualification is offered to students who would like to work with children between the ages of birth to five years old.
This course consists of an N4 Certificate, N5 Certificate and N6 Certificate, and Diploma on completion of the N6 Certificate.  Students need to submit proof of 18 months’ workplace experience at a school or daycare centre, in order for them to qualify for the National N-Diploma in Educare.
Please note that you will only receive a qualification on completion of the workplace experience.
Career Options

What will I be qualified as once I’ve completed this course?

On completion of the 18-month practical training, you will be qualified as a practitioner with a Diploma in Early Childhood Development to work with children between the ages of 0-5 years.
What will I be able to do?

• Educare practitioner
• Play group practitioner
• Manage an ECD site
• Starting and managing you own ECD site
• Au pair

In which industries will you be able to work?

• Education and Training

What could I do to further improve my skills and my chances of furthering my career?
You will achieve the National N-Diploma in Educare. This will enable to you continue studying in the Education field. You could proceed to study the Bachelor Degree in Foundation Phase at an institution of Higher Education, such as a University.
Should you not wish to continue studying once you’ve completed this qualification, you will be able to work towards promotions within your career by working within your field of study and gaining experience within the Education industry. As with any other career, you would need to work very hard to prove your skills and abilities, be dedicated and be prepared to continue learning throughout your career.
Programme Structure

What will I be studying during this course?

* Please note that the NCF curriculum will be followed in all lessons/activity presentation.

Entry Requirements

What do I need to have completed before I can apply to study this course?

• Grade 12, or Level 4 National Certificate (NQF) or an NC(V) Level 4 certificate

Duration
6 months for each of the certificates on a full-time basis (N4, N5 and N6). The course will be run on a full-time basis (3 days theoretical classes and 1 or 2 days practical workplace experience).
To obtain a National N-Diploma in Educare requires a minimum of 18 months theoretical study plus 18 months of workplace experience.
As a part-time student it will take 2 years to complete the theoretical component and 18 months for the workplace experience component.