SayPro SERVICES SETA 93993 – National Certificate in Labour Relations Training Material

Description

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION
This Qualification is the second step in a learning pathway that underpins a career in the Labour Relations arena. A large number of the competencies developed in the Qualification are rooted in actual workplace practice and should lead to greater productivity resulting from the improved performance by the learner, due to the integration of the knowledge mastered with workplace practice.

Many different roles and careers are linked to and affected by this Qualification. They include but are not limited to:

• HR officers
• Case Management Officers – Bargaining Councils
• Department of Labour Advice officers
• Labour brokers
• Union officials, particularly organisers
• CCMA case management officials
• Public and/or private agents providing labour law advice
• IR administrators
• Dispute Resolution Call Centre Agents

Specifically the purpose of this Certificate Qualification is to:

• Equip learners to understand and apply the underlying principles of the Labour Relations sector and associated Human Resource Development Legislation.
• Provide a Qualification at NQF Level 5 that is the second step in a learning pathway in the Labour Relations field which will enhance the mobility of employees along a career path in the sector This can be done through an individual learning programme or through associated learnerships at various levels and areas in the Labour Relations environment.
• Provide for mobility of learning into associated areas such as Human Resource Practice, Consulting etc.
• Equip learners to become effective employees, employers and/or self-employed members of society.
• Develop a richer learning environment in the field of Labour Relations through high quality lifelong learning.
• Improve the Labour Relations skills of employees in the sector, as well as of employers who wish to become experts in the labour relations field to ensure compliance of their organization with labour legislation
• Enable the learner to assist workers/employees within his/her community in terms of their labour rights and obligations and thereby ensure social and economic transformation.
• Ensure the development of competence in the Labour Relations field, arguably one of the most important arenas for social and economic transformation in the country.

Qualifying learners will have acquired a range of competencies in the areas of:

• Labour Relations Practice.
• Human Resources.
• The implementation of policies and procedures.
• Communication.
• Legal knowledge.
• Business practice and ethics.

This learning supports the objectives of the NQF through increased portability and articulation of learning and career path progression. It creates increased opportunity for access to lifelong learning for learners both employed and unemployed. It also provides recognition to learners through a formal qualification of knowledge and skills they might have acquired in the workplace. By concentrating on the link between theory and practice, the quality of education and training as well as the personal development of the learner will be elevated.

Rationale

The Certificate in Labour Relations Practice: NQF Level 5, is part of the learning pathway in Labour Relations, which starts with a National Certificate at NQF Level 4 and will end with a Qualification at NQF 7 so encouraging the notion of life-long learning.

With the advent of democratic government in South Africa in 1994 an entirely new approach to Labour Relations Practice in South Africa has emerged. There has been the establishment of new statutory structures with implications for every level of labour relations in the country. It is estimated that between ten and fifteen thousand persons will require some or all of the competencies contained in this Qualification.

The Certificate in Labour Relations Practice: NQF Level 5, is designed to meet the needs of learners who are already employed and involved in the fields of Labour Relations and/or Labour Law. Additionally, however, it will also meet the needs and aspirations of the youth and unemployed who wish to pursue a career in the Labour Relations and associated fields, or in other fields where this learning may be useful. This includes adult learners who want to enter the sector or develop their careers in one or more of the related sub-fields. This Qualification would also be relevant to many Human Resources (HR) Practitioners. Since the Certificate is part of a learning pathway, it will offer mobility to persons operating at any level in the field.

The Qualification provides learners with a background in Labour Law. This will enable them to understand the South African Labour Relations field and will underpin their ability to use this learning in various business environments. The development of competence in this field will lead to better service delivery, company longevity, the promotion of wealth and job creation. Application of the learning achieved in completing this Qualification will also assist employed and unemployed persons to enforce their labour rights, while at the same time enabling them to become aware of their obligations.

The Qualification recognises the fact that knowledge and the application of Labour Legislation is a business imperative, necessary for the success of any organisation, both strategically and operationally. This Certificate is thus designed to enable individuals to develop the theoretical competencies and the practical skills to operate effectively in the field.
Practitioners and/or organisations in the following fields would have an interest in the Qualification:

• The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration.
• The Department of Labour.
• Labour law, labour courts (including appeal courts) & labour consultants.
• Bargaining & statutory councils.
• Private labour agents.
• Public & private labour advice offices.
• Law firms, particularly labour lawyers.
• Commercial organisations.

This Qualification also reflects some of the needs of the Human Resources sector both now and in the future.

The impact of the Qualification on society and the economy is reflected in the multiple job roles and careers that can stem from the Qualification, including self-employment opportunities, job creation opportunities and the development of, or entry to, learners who are employed within the private or public sector. It can further stimulate and support skills development in the SMME sector.

The Certificate in Labour Relations Practice is structured in such a way that it supports the ability of public agencies to enforce the rights and obligations of both employers and employees while also allowing for specialised competencies in Labour Relations for use in commercial situations

The Qualification is also ideal for the development of a number of learnerships leading to the attainment of the Qualification and so to improved career opportunities for employed and unemployed learners.