Higher Certificate in Project Management

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Project Management is to provide entry into the field of project management. This qualification will equip learners with project management skills to work at entry-level in a business and industry.

Learners will acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to operate ethically as part of a project team. The qualification will improve the learner’s efficiency and effectiveness, which are key components in an office environment for ensuring that the organisation runs smoothly. This contributes to higher productivity and improved service delivery. A qualifying learner will be a well-rounded practitioner with foundational technical skills in management, administration, planning and organisation. The curriculum ensures a high degree of portability and enables learners to enter multiple job roles and careers in their quest to meet individual and organisational requirements. The qualification emphasises using project management in the business context. The successful learner will develop foundational knowledge and requisite competencies in project management, which can be applied to the business environment. Learners will obtain exposure to communication, information systems, management, administration and project management. 

Training for qualification is both theoretical and practical. It allows learners to grasp fundamental knowledge in the workings of various project management methods, approaches and tools in the modern work environment. This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the business environment by providing recognition and further mobility within the field. The qualification supports the philosophy of life-long learning, because learners will be able to increase their access to employment since this qualification also caters for individuals that who are employed but lack the certification to perform efficiently or to be promoted.

Admission Requirements
Any of the following certificates will be accepted at registration:

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies
• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4
• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is considered on merit and circumstances

Certification and Examination Authority

• Upon successful completion, students will receive a Berea College of Technology Higher Certificate in Project Management. All Examinations are set and administered by Berea College of Technology.
• All examinations are set and administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The National N Diploma is issued by the DHET.

1st Year 1st Semester Subjects Credits

• Computing for Project Manager 24
• Business Communication 12
• Business Management Fundamental    16
• Applied Project Management 20
• Operations Management Fundamentals 20
• Project Management Practice 16
• End-User Computing 101

Articulation
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation

Horizontal Articulation:

• Higher Certificate in Business Computing, NQF Level 5
• Higher Certificate in Business Administration, NQF Level 5

Vertical Articulation:

• Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
• Diploma in Public Relations, NQF Level 6.
• Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 6. · Diploma in Public Relations, NQF Level 6. · Diploma in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 6.

Student Support Services

• Job readiness skills
• CV writing, interview training and workshops
• Campus Counsellor
• Work-integrated learning, internships and post-graduate employment

Centre for Student Relations (CSR)

• The Centre provides a free online service to students who require additional academic and personal support.

Career Fields

• Project Manager
• Project Management Supervisor
• Project Planner
• Operations Manager
• Business Manager with responsibilities of in-house projects