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National Certificate: Generic Management (NQF Level 5)
The managers who lead your supervisors and team leaders gain a nationally recognised NQF Level 5 qualification built on their real operational work.
Your first-line managers – supervisors, team leaders, section heads and foremen – decide how well operations run from day to day, and someone has to manage them well. The National Certificate: Generic Management is the generic management NQF 5 qualification for that role (SAQA ID 59201, 162 credits). It develops people who manage first-line managers in any sector: planning operations, building teams, managing performance and risk, developing talent and handling a unit's finances.
The qualification runs as 30 contact days over 12 months. The fundamental component (49 credits) covers leadership, communication, mathematical analysis for decisions, current affairs and financial information, and business ethics. The core component (78 credits) covers operational planning, team building, knowledge management, innovation, workplace relationships, change, talent development, diversity, performance monitoring, risk, coaching first-line managers, and project planning and evaluation. Electives (at least 35 credits) are chosen to suit your organisation. Learners build a Portfolio of Evidence that shows each standard applied at work.
BOTI delivers it under its Services SETA accreditation (12582). It is a pre-2009 qualification kept open under transitional arrangements while QCTO occupational qualifications take over, and new enrolments close on 30 June 2028.
Why this course
For your organisation
- A recognised NQF Level 5 qualification for the managers of your supervisory layer
- Stronger operational planning, performance management and risk control
- An internal pipeline of middle managers for succession planning
- Electives mapped to your sector and roles
- Accredited training that supports your workplace skills plan and transformation goals
For your delegates
- A full qualification of 162 credits at NQF Level 5
- Practical tools for planning, coaching, change and team performance
- A Portfolio of Evidence built from your own work
- A route into NQF Level 6 management study
What delegates will be able to do
- Develop, implement and evaluate an operational plan for your unit
- Build high-performing teams and keep workplace relationships productive
- Select, coach and mentor first-line managers
- Monitor team performance and manage operational risk
- Lead people development and talent management in your unit
- Manage a diverse workforce that reflects South Africa's demographics
- Recommend and lead a change process
- Apply knowledge management and create conditions for innovation
- Manage a unit's finances and apply ethical principles to decisions
Who should attend
Junior managers of small organisations, junior managers of business units in medium and large organisations, and people preparing for these roles: team leaders and supervisors ready for more responsibility, section heads, foremen and shift leaders, and high-potential staff being developed into managers. Learners need Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 (broadly, matric or equivalent); experienced managers may achieve the qualification fully or partly through Recognition of Prior Learning.
Course outline
Day Part 1 – Fundamental component (49 credits, compulsory)
Leadership and communication
- Applying leadership concepts in a work context
- Using communication techniques effectively with teams and stakeholders
Analysis, information and ethics for decisions
- Mathematical analysis and a systems approach to management decisions
- Interpreting current affairs, economic and financial information
- Applying ethical principles in a business environment
Day Part 2 – Core component (78 credits, compulsory)
Planning, projects and risk
- Developing, implementing and evaluating an operational plan
- Project planning and evaluation
- Monitoring and managing risk in the unit
Teams, relationships and diversity
- Building high-performing teams
- Building and maintaining productive workplace relationships
- Managing a diverse workforce
People development and performance
- Leading people development and talent management
- Selecting, coaching and mentoring first-line managers
- Monitoring, assessing and managing team performance
Knowledge, innovation and change
- Applying knowledge management principles
- Creating an environment that supports innovation
- Formulating recommendations for change and leading the change process
Day Part 3 – Elective component (at least 35 credits)
A specialisation for your organisation
- Electives aligned to your organisation's context
- Unit standards chosen to make up at least 35 credits
- BOTI maps the electives to your sector and the learners' roles
Throughout – Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning
Portfolio of Evidence
- Evidence of workplace application for each unit standard
- Competence assessment against every unit standard
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Evidence from work records, portfolios, reports and testimonials of functions performed
- Full or partial achievement of the qualification through RPL
How it is delivered
30 contact days over 12 months, 08:30-16:00, scheduled to limit disruption to your operations. Sessions run in-house at your premises anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue, or live online, for one learner or a group of up to about 20. Learner material and Portfolio of Evidence guides are provided.
What our clients say
★★★★★ 4.8 on Google from 790+ reviews · word-for-word quotes from signed letters of reference, from clients on this and/or related BOTI courses
“Throughout both interventions, BOTI demonstrated a high level of professionalism, subject matter expertise, and commitment to quality training delivery. Their ability to effectively manage virtual learning environments and engage participants contributed significantly to the success of the programmes.”
“[The organisation] confirms that BOTI delivered the contracted services over the 24-month period, and we have no hesitation in recommending Business Optimization Training Institute (Pty) Ltd to any organisation seeking a similar e-Learning or skills development solution.”
“The training was presented through an interesting and easy-to-use online platform, and we were impressed by its quality.”
Frequently asked questions
Is this qualification still open for enrolment?
Yes. It is a pre-2009 SETA qualification kept open under the Minister's transitional arrangements. New enrolments close on 30 June 2028 and enrolled learners have until 30 June 2031 to complete. The dates follow the SAQA register, so we confirm the current window when you book.
What are the entry requirements?
Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 – broadly, matric or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification. Experienced managers without the formal certificate can be assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
How is this different from a short management course?
It is a full NQF-registered qualification of 162 credits – roughly 1,620 notional hours of study, practice and assessment – assessed through a Portfolio of Evidence. A short course usually runs 1 to 5 days and ends with a certificate of attendance.
Can you train our managers at our premises?
Yes. We run the contact days in-house anywhere in South Africa, at a BOTI venue or live online, and schedule them around your operations. One learner or a group of up to about 20; the price per learner drops as the group grows.
Is there a lower level for supervisors and team leaders?
Yes. The Further Education and Training Certificate: Generic Management (NQF Level 4) suits team leaders and supervisors, and the National Certificate: Management (NQF Level 3) suits new team leaders.
Related courses
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