📘 About This Programme

The New Venture Creation Skills Programme (SP 210401) is a 32-credit, NQF Level 2 programme accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). It prepares you to operate and grow a business by combining theory, practice, and compliance requirements.

This programme was developed to support youth and community entrepreneurs in starting and expanding small businesses, especially in township and rural contexts.

📂 What You Will Gain Knowledge & Skills In

Through 12 structured lessons and applied projects, you will build knowledge and skills in:

• Being an Entrepreneur – understanding resilience, ethics, and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Knowing Yourself – self-awareness, strengths, and values for business success.
• Knowing Your Industry – gathering and analysing information on your sector.
• Identifying Market Opportunities – researching demand and spotting viable opportunities.
• Innovation – applying creativity to create business innovations.
• Customer Service – building strong client relationships and service standards.
• Financial & Cash Flow Management – planning, controlling, and managing money.
• Basic Business Financial Statements – preparing budgets, income statements, and balance sheets.
• Pricing of Goods & Services – performing calculations and setting sustainable prices.
• Marketing – planning campaigns and carrying out a marketing project.
• SMART Goals – setting realistic goals and aligning them to business growth.
• Business Planning – developing and presenting a full business plan.

Applied skills projects include: calculations & pricing exercises, basic bookkeeping, customer service application, and a marketing project.

📝 How You’ll Be Assessed

Your progress is evaluated in three ways:

• Continuous Assessment – short quizzes after each topic (you must pass before moving on).
• Formative Assessment Activities – applied projects such as pricing calculations, basic bookkeeping, marketing, and customer service exercises.
• Summative Assessment – a supervised Business Plan Project that integrates all modules and serves as both your final exam and a working business plan for your venture.

All assessments follow QCTO requirements and contribute towards your achievement of the 32 credits for this skills programme.

📥 Course Material

You can download your official Learner Guide below:

🚀 Career Pathways & Opportunities

The purpose of this Skills Programme is to prepare you to operate a small business. On completion, you will be able to:

• Start, manage, grow and sustain a small business.
• Gather and analyse information for an industry.
• Determine market requirements relevant for marketing and selling goods and services.
• Determine financial, human and infrastructure requirements.
• Manage financial, human and infrastructure resources of a business.
• Plan for the establishment of business.
• Organise and conduct business activities.

🎓 Articulation Options

Credits earned in this programme can be transferred towards the National Certificate: New Venture Creation (SMME), NQF Level 2 (SAQA Qual ID: 49648).

💼 What Can You Become?

• Entrepreneur / Small Business Owner
• Learning & Development Practitioner
• Training and Development Practitioner
• Training Manager
• Business Consultant / Business Development Manager
• Innovation Manager
• Social Entrepreneur
• Startup Investor

🌍 Where Can You Work?

With this skills programme, you can pursue opportunities in a variety of sectors and industries, including:

• Startups and Small/Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
• Business Incubators and Accelerators
• Consulting Firms and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes
• Corporate Innovation Departments
• Social Enterprises and Investment Firms
• Education and Training sector (Training Coordinator, Facilitator, Operations Manager, Training Manager, RPL Practitioner)
• Independent roles such as Small Business Consultant, Content Developer, or Motivational Speaker

📚 Where Can You Enrol?

This programme is offered through QCTO-accredited Skills Development Providers. You can also continue your learning journey with our other accredited courses such as Workplace Essential Skills and Conflict Management.

📈 Career & Business Benefits

• Gain the confidence and ability to start and sustain a business.
• Meet compliance requirements with CIPC, SARS, VAT, UIF, and labour law.
• Avoid common pitfalls such as poor cash flow and weak pricing.
• Develop a professional business plan ready for investors or funders.
• Position yourself for career growth in business, consulting, training, or entrepreneurship.