Occupational Certificate: Small Business Consultant

NQF Level 05 - SAQA ID: 118741

The Occupational Certificate: Small Business Consultant prepares learners to operate as competent business consultants within small business and entrepreneurial environments. Learners will gain the knowledge and practical skills required to evaluate business performance, provide strategic and operational consulting services, support business growth, conduct compliance assessments, and implement change management strategies for small businesses.

Through this qualification, learners will develop analytical thinking, communication skills, leadership ability, problem-solving capabilities, and operational expertise needed to guide and support business owners in improving business sustainability, efficiency, profitability, and growth

Course Overview

Small Business Consultants play a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs and business owners by identifying business challenges, recommending solutions, improving operational performance, and guiding strategic growth initiatives. This programme is designed to develop the consulting, operational, financial, and business management competencies required to provide effective business advisory services.

Learners will gain practical experience in compliance management, business appraisal, strategic planning, risk profiling, financial analysis, project implementation, marketing, value chain analysis, and change management. They will also develop communication, leadership, organisational, and decision-making skills needed to effectively support and advise businesses across different sectors.

Course Overview

Duration

The programme combines classroom, practical, and workplace learning. Modules can be scheduled flexibly to meet learner and workplace requirements. Workplace-based activities form a critical part of the programme to ensure applied skills are developed in real retail settings.

Delivery Method

The course can be delivered on-site at the learner’s business, at a training provider facility, or virtually. Accredited providers will supervise practical and workplace-based learning to meet all assessment and credit requirements.

Who Is This Course For?

Aspiring business consultants
Small business advisors and coaches
Entrepreneurs and business owners
Business development practitioners
Operations and strategy support staff
Individuals seeking consulting and advisory skills

Prerequisites

NQF Level 4 qualification.

Cost

R38 000.00 Per Learner

Course Content

Knowledge Modules (Total Credits: 93)

KM-01: Regulatory and Legislative Framework, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-02: Compliance Audit, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-03: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Profiles, Level 4 – 4 credits
KM-04: Business Consulting Development, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-05: Strategic and Operational Plans, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-06: Professional Business Success Factors, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-07: Principles of Marketing, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-08: Business Finance, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-09: Principles of Costing and Pricing to a Business Venture, Level 4 – 5 credits
KM-10: Risk Profiling, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-11: Principles of Tendering, Level 5 – 4 credits
KM-12: Business Appraisal, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-13: Business Requirements and Business Rescue Strategies, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-14: Effective Communication, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-15: Principles of Ethics in Business, Level 6 – 3 credits
KM-16: Strategies for Behaviour Change and Coaching, Level 5 – 3 credits
KM-17: Principles of Change Management, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-18: Introductory Studies for Project Managers, Level 5 – 5 credits
KM-19: Application of Contract Documentation, Level 5 – 4 credits
KM-20: Evaluation of Influences in the Value Chain, Level 5 – 5 credits

Practical Skills Modules (Total Credits: 55)
PM-01: Evaluate Personal Capability for Performing Business Consulting Services, Level 5 – 8 credits
PM-02: Carry Out Due Diligence and Check Compliance with Relevant Legislation, Level 6 – 8 credits
PM-03: Monitor Methods of Appraisal of Business Owner, Business Performance and Activities, Level 5 – 8 credits
PM-04: Provide Strategic and Operational Consulting Services, Level 6 – 10 credits
PM-05: Develop and Implement Change Management Framework, Level 5 – 5 credits
PM-06: Develop Project Implementation Approach, Level 5 – 8 credits
PM-07: Interpret the Influences of Key Components in the Value Chain on Business Efficiency, Level 5 – 8 credits

Work Experience Modules (Total Credits: 96)

WM-01: Procedures to Evaluate Personal Capability for Performing Business Consulting Services, Level 5 – 10 credits
WM-02: Processes and Procedures for Carrying Out and Checking Due Diligence Compliance with Relevant Legislation, Level 5 – 15 credits
WM-03: Processes to Monitor Methods of Appraisal of Business Owner, Business Performance and Activities, Level 5 – 15 credits
WM-04: Procedures to Provide Strategic and Operational Consulting Services, Level 5 – 20 credits
WM-05: Processes to Develop and Implement a Change Management Framework, Level 5 – 10 credits
WM-06: Processes and Procedures to Develop Project Approaches, Level 5 – 15 credits
WM-07: Procedures to Interpret the Influences of Key Components in the Value Chain on Business Efficiency, Level 5 – 11 credits