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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48513  National Certificate: Public Administration 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Public Administration and Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was PSETA until Last Date for Achievement  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  131  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 SAQA 0151/03  2003-12-03  2006-11-16 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2007-11-16   2010-11-16  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
57804  National Certificate: Public Administration  Level 3  NQF Level 03  157  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The qualification recognises the generic skills, knowledge, understanding, attitudes and values expected of a competent person in a wide range of contexts in Public Sector Administration and the wider public sector.

As well as recognising competencies in relation to the Public sector context, this qualification develops information technology, communications, writing, and service delivery competencies.

It provides learners who have no formal qualification with an opportunity through formal assessment to
  • Have their prior learning formally recognised,
  • Identify gaps in their skills and knowledge, and
  • Structure learning programmes to close those gaps.

    The qualifying learner will:
  • Be competent in core administration and data capturing skills
  • Understand and be able to apply public sector policies, procedures and processes
  • Recognise and understand the purpose and structure of their own workplace, and the purpose of specific departments or sections and the way in which each contributes to the objectives and purpose of the public sector in the country
  • Understand the role that the public sector plays in the South African economy as a whole
  • Be able to plan his/her work to meet deadlines and performance standards demanded by the department.
  • Be able to measure and evaluating his/her level of performance against performance standards and plan improvement strategies.
  • Be able to develop a skills development plan for him/herself and apply it so improving productivity levels


    Rationale for the qualification

    Effective and efficient administration in the public sector is key to a successful economy. This qualification is a blend of administration skills that are generic across most sectors, and skills relevant in the context of the public sector.

    The Public sector is unique in its position of requiring the building of effective and efficient administration due to the inequities of the past. This qualification is aimed at rapidly building the skills base within the public sector.

    The qualification reflects the skills and competencies required of people employed, or seeking employment in the Public Sector, in a role where they would provide administration services. The importance of the ethical base on which public sector service delivery is based, is reflected in this qualification.

    The National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 3 is designed to meet the needs of those learners who are already involved, or wish to become involved, in Administration in the Public sector. It is applicable to employed and unemployed learners.

    The National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 3 is the first qualification in a learning pathway that leads directly to the National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 4, which has a specialisation in administration in a particular branch of the public sector.

    The National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 3 supports the objectives of the NQF in that it gives the learner access to a registered qualification. It will ensure that the quality of education and training in the public sector is enhanced and of a world-class standard. The qualification will allow learners not only to develop their knowledge and skills but will also enable them to benchmark their competence against international standards and contribute to building an effective and efficient public sector for all South Africans. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification are assumed to be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 2
  • Computer Literacy at NQF level 1

    Recognition of Prior Learning

    One of the primary purposes of this qualification is to recognise prior learning. The learner should be thoroughly briefed on the mechanisms to be used and provided with sufficient support and guidance to prepare for the assessment process. Care should be taken that the mechanism used for RPL provides the learner with the opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the RPL option to gain this qualification. This qualification will also allow for the design of top-up courses based on gaps established during an initial assessment process.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for:
  • Accelerated access to further learning at this or higher levels on the NQF
  • Gaining of credits towards a Unit Standard in this Qualification
  • Obtaining of this Qualification in part or in whole 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Level, Credits and Learning Components assigned to The Qualification

    The Certificate is made up of a planned combination of learning outcomes that have a defined purpose and will provide qualifying learners with applied competence and a basis for further training. It is a building block for a National Certificate in Public administration at Level 4.

    The Qualification is made up of Unit Standards classified as Fundamental, Core and Elective. A minimum of 132 credits is required to complete the Qualification.

    In this Qualification the credits are allocated as follows

    Fundamental 36 credits 27%
    Core 91 credits 70%
    Electives 4 credits 13%
    Total 131 credits 100%

    Motivation for number of credits assigned to Fundamental, Core and Elective Components

    Fundamental Component

    Unit Standards to the value of 20 credits are allocated to Communication at NQF
    Level 3 and Unit Standards to the value of 16 credits to Mathematical Literacy.

    These Unit standards will help the learner to become a literate and numerate worker who is able to function competently in the global community of which South Africa is a part.

    All the Unit Standards are Compulsory.

    Core Component

    The Unit standards in the Core Component will equip the learner with the essential administration skills and knowledge required to effectively perform an administrative function in a Public Administration office so improving service delivery to the customer. The Core Unit Standards are grouped under topics, which consist of generic competencies to facilitate effective service delivery in the public sector. They promote the personal development of the learner.

    All the Unit Standards in the Core Component are compulsory.

    Elective Component

    Candidates may select standards from the list of electives below that reflect a personal career development interest or equip them with the building blocks of knowledge and skills required for learning at the next level on the NQF. Candidates may also select any other Unit Standards at NQF level 3 or above, in which they are interested, or which will enhance their capabilities to provide effective public sector delivery. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Provide an effective administration service at practitioner level in the public sector at national, provincial or local government level.

    2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks that regulate and control the work of the learner`s department and its function in the public sector.

    3. Deliver and make informed judgements about the quality of the administration service that they offer their clients.

    4.Take responsibility for managing their own performance and growth as administrative practitioners in the context of public sector human resource development policies and procedures.

    5. Use and maintain the physical and/or electronic information records system in the public sector context in which they are operating.

    6. Use and maintain computers and workplace equipment relevant to their public administration role in their operating context.

    7. Communicate effectively in terms of the requirements of a public sector administrator at the practitioner level.

    8. Compute the necessary figures and totals accurately and correctly in terms of the requirements for effective public administration.

    9. Maintain health, safety and security of the work community and environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1 Administrative tasks are performed at a service level determined by the particular government service sector office or by an equivalent performance agreement
    1.2 Client satisfaction with qualitative and quantitative outputs of administration service functions is ensured through effective client interaction and provision of service according to realistic client expectation
    1.3 Administrative policies and procedures are known and applied to ensure the provision of an effective and efficient administrative service


    2.1 Batho Pele principles are evident in interactions with colleagues, supervisors, internal clients and customers, in the manner in which work is undertaken and in the quality of work produced.
    2.2 The Code of Conduct is known and applied by the learner in relation to his/her own work, systems and interactions with internal and external clients.
    2.3 Public service ethics and their implication for the learner`s work role are explained with examples.
    2.4 The main roles and responsibilities of each level of government in South Africa are known and an explanation given of how each learner`s work role contributes to the objectives of each.
    2.5 The statutory regulations governing the learner`s department, section and division are known and can be explained with examples and are applied to the learner`s work procedures.


    3.1 Customer and client feedback is obtained and used to make decisions on improving customer service where necessary
    3.2 Error rates in processing roles are measured to assess the attainment of benchmarks and set performance development objectives.
    3.3 Repeat work and complaints are used to review performance in administration roles.


    4.1 Individual development plans agreed in performance reviews are used as the basis for planning and implementing personal development programmes.
    4.2 Individual growth is demonstrated in the follow up documentation used to monitor the implementation of IDPs and reviewed in the performance enhancements achieved.


    5.1 Departmental records are maintained in a manner that expedites the storage of information according to departmental requirements
    5.2 Departmental records are handled a manner that expedites the retrieval of information on demand


    6.1 Computer and software use meets organisation and functional standards
    6.2 Computer peripherals are used and maintained in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down in the equipment manual and in compliance with the organisation`s usage and safety procedures and requirements.
    6.3 Workplace equipment is used and maintained in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down in the equipment manual and in compliance with the organisation`s usage and safety procedures and requirement


    7.1 Communication with clients, colleagues and customers achieves the purposes for which it is used.


    8.1 Computation for work purposes is accurate and an be used for its intended purpose


    9.1 Security of people and the workplace is maintained by the rigorous application of the organisation`s security procedures
    9.2 Safety and health of people in the workplace is maintained by the rigorous application of the organisation`s safety and health procedures.
    9.3 People in the workplace community are supported in a manner that recognises their dignity and upholds their sense of well-being at work.


    Integrated Assessment

    Integrated assessment at the level of this qualification will evaluate the learner`s capacity to integrate concepts, actions and ideas across a range of activities and knowledge domains. The integrated assessment must specifically evaluate the learner`s ability to:
  • Implement and apply public sector procedures
  • Use administration systems
  • Understand, use and care for computers and workplace equipment
  • Use resources effectively
  • Comply with behavioural requirements and service orientation of employees in the service of the public
  • Explain and discuss issues relating to their work in the context of the public sector

    This will require assessment methods, which take into account evidence generated in on-the-job activities.

    Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification.

    Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably linked. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the Unit Standards should be integrated.

    Assessment of communication and mathematical literacy should be integrated as far as possible with other aspects and should use authentic administration contexts wherever possible. 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 or will work. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies, role-plays and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.

    The term `Integrated Assessment` implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. During integrated assessments, the assessor should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

    Assessors must assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

    Assessment should ensure that all specific outcomes, embedded knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated in an integrated way. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared with qualifications and standards in public administration in:
  • Australia - Public Sector Traineeships, levels 2, 3 and 4.
  • Scotland - Administration Certificates level 2 and 3
  • New Zealand - National Certificates in Employment Skills and National Certificates in Administration

    A direct comparison of the title, specific outcomes, assessment criteria, exit level outcomes and embedded knowledge was undertaken with each. This qualification compares best with the Australian Public Sector Traineeship Level 2 Qualification and the Scottish Administration level 2 certificate. However, this qualification has been developed for the South African context. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates with the following qualifications:
  • The National Certificate in Generic Business Administration: Level 4
  • The National Certificate in Generic Management: Level 4
  • The National Certificate in Public Administration: Level 4

    It should also articulate horizontally with any other qualification at level 3 in the following fields:
  • Secretarial services
  • Reception services
  • Switchboard operations
  • Health administration
  • Legal administration
  • Financial administration
  • Banking administration
  • Personal/executive secretarial services
  • Data capturing
  • School administration 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with a relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

    Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as in the exit level outcomes described in the qualification 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To register as assessors for this qualification, applicants should:
  • hold an administration qualification at NQF level 5 or above
  • be declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards as stipulated by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 
    		•

    NOTES 
    This qualification has been replaced by qualification 57804, "National Certificate: Public Administration", level 3, 160 credits.

    There is open access to any learner who is employed in the Public sector, or who is able to arrange for assessment of the Public sector specific Unit Standards and exit level outcomes to be assessed in a Public sector work environment. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  110064  Contribute to the health, safety and security of the workplace  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  7568  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  8104  Operate and take care of equipment in an office environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Core  7566  Operate personal computer peripherals  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  14348  Process incoming and outgoing telephone calls  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  113954  Answer customer enquiries by mail, facsimile, and e-mail in a wide range of public sector contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113967  Apply public sector policies and procedures to achieve administration objectives  Level 3  NQF Level 03  12 
    Core  113955  Apply the Batho Pele principles to own work role and context  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113956  Demonstrate knowledge of and apply the Public Sector Code of Conduct in own work roles and context  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113959  Identify basic employment rights and responsibilities and deal appropriately with own grievances and disputes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113961  Identify, operate and maintain the records management system in a Public Sector organization  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  113963  Manage own performance improvement process in a public sector context  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113962  Manage own work performance in a public sector workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  113957  Use data entry and retrieval skills to input and retrieve computer data  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  113964  Demonstrate and apply knowledge of role and responsibility of local government in South Africa  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  113965  Demonstrate and apply knowledge of role and responsibility of national government in South Africa  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  113958  Demonstrate and apply knowledge of role and responsibility of provincial government in South Africa  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  113960  Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the ethical standards in the Public Sector  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  11241  Perform Basic Business Calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  13929  Co-ordinate meetings, minor events and travel arrangements  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Elective  13937  Monitor and control office supplies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  13928  Monitor and control reception area  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  13930  Monitor and control the receiving and satisfaction of visitors  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  13935  Plan and conduct basic research in an office environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.