Small Business Consultant

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Small Business Consultant. A Small Business Consultant consults and guides in business development. A qualified learner will be able to: • Evaluate personal capability for performing business consulting services. • Carry out due diligence and check compliance with relevant legislation. • Monitor methods of appraisal of the business owner, business performance and activities. • Provide strategic and operational consulting service • Develop and implement a change management framework • Develop project implementation approach, and • Interpret the influences of key components in the value chain on business efficiency

Small Business Consulting is an essential service in the socio-economic and technological development of the country and requires unique skills to create an enabling environment for growth and sustainable businesses. Various professional bodies such as the Institute of Business Advisors South Africa (IBASA) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) have been consulted in respect to this qualification and have emphasised the need for this assistance in the industry where it will be providing an efficient and effective support service to businesses and, therefore, have an important role in job creation and drivers of growth thereby adding to the economic development and ensuring businesses receive the necessary support early on. This qualification recognises the competence, knowledge and skills required to advise in the management and development of business ventures. The development of competence in this field can lead to better service delivery, sustainability and the promotion of job creation and security. The qualification supports the objectives of the NQF in that it gives the learner access to a nationally recognised qualification that acknowledges the skills and knowledge that he/she has acquired. It will, therefore, ensure that the quality of education and training received by learners in the sector is enhanced and of a world-class standard. The target market for this qualification includes school leavers and will allow those in formal education, those already employed in organisations in the small business consulting industry, and those in public and private small business consulting practice, access to a qualification that can be used as a benchmark to gauge their competence against local and international standards. Learners will find employment within the private sector, public sector, non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations, small, medium and micro enterprises, sole proprietors, and may have an opportunity for self-employment. These roles may vary from business analyst, business consultant, business advisor, business advisory specialist, business advising consultant, small business consultants, small business advisors, engagement consultants, or maybe more specialist roles such as strategy consultants, human resources consultants, operations consultants, financial advisory consultants or risk and compliance consultants. The business will obtain an objective consulting service where these consultants can recognise and identify problem areas, discover inefficiencies and redundancies, and provide legitimate solutions that can assist the business to get back on track. By these businesses providing a new or better service well, they help themselves and the community in which they operate to create jobs and make the community sustainable and resilient. This, in turn, stimulates economic growth, create jobs and addresses high levels of unemployment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or by certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 4 qualification.

• Appraise personal capabilities for performing business consulting.
• Examine due diligence and compliance with relevant legislation.
• Evaluate business performance, business owner and activities.
• Provide strategic and operational consulting service.
• Establish and implement change management structures.
• Entrench project implementation approach.
• Identify and clarify key improvement elements in the value chain.