📘 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 small business by combining entrepreneurship theory, practical projects and essential compliance knowledge.

The programme is designed especially for youth, emerging entrepreneurs, informal traders and community-based businesses in township and rural areas – but is just as valuable if you’re planning a formal startup or side-hustle.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Across 12 structured topics, you will build knowledge and practical skills in areas such as:

• Being an Entrepreneur – mindset, resilience, ethics and real-world case studies.
• Knowing Yourself – self-awareness, values, strengths and growth areas.
• Knowing Your Industry – researching your sector and understanding trends.
• Identifying Market Opportunities – spotting real demand and testing ideas.
• Innovation – using creativity to design products, services and better ways of working.
• Customer Service – building trust, loyalty and repeat business.
• Financial & Cash Flow Management – planning, tracking and controlling money.
• Basic Business Financial Statements – budgets, income statements and balance sheets.
• Pricing of Goods & Services – doing the maths and setting sustainable prices.
• Marketing – reaching the right customers with simple, practical tools.
• SMART Goals – setting clear, realistic goals for your business growth.
• Business Planning – pulling everything together into a practical business plan.

Throughout the programme you will complete applied activities such as pricing exercises, basic bookkeeping, customer service scenarios and a mini marketing project, leading up to your final business plan.

📝 How You’ll Be Assessed

Assessment is supportive and practical, designed to help you build confidence step-by-step.

• Short quizzes after key topics to check understanding and reinforce learning.
• Formative activities such as pricing calculations, basic bookkeeping, market research and customer service applications.
• A final Summative Business Plan Project where you apply everything you’ve learned to develop a practical business plan for your own idea.

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

📂 Learning Materials & Access

Once you are enrolled, you will unlock access to:

• Step-by-step online lessons and case studies.
• Interactive “Play & Learn” activities and reflections.
• Downloadable guides, templates and checklists.
• Instructions for completing the Business Plan Project.

Please note: this public page is for information only. Learning materials and downloads become available after you have officially enrolled in the programme.

🚀 Career Pathways & Opportunities

The main purpose of this skills programme is to prepare you to operate, manage and grow a small business. After completion, you will be able to:

• Start, manage, grow and sustain a small business or side-hustle.
• Gather and analyse information about your industry and market.
• Determine market requirements for products and services.
• Plan for financial, human and infrastructure needs in your venture.
• Manage key resources and day-to-day operations.
• Plan, organise and conduct business activities with confidence.

🎓 Articulation Options

The credits from this programme may be used towards the National Certificate: New Venture Creation (SMME), NQF Level 2 (SAQA Qual ID: 49648), subject to the rules of the qualification and provider.

💼 Possible Roles & Pathways

Over time, and with further experience or study, this programme can support pathways into roles such as:

• Entrepreneur / Small Business Owner
• Business Development or Sales in SMMEs
• Small Business or Startup Support roles
• Community / Social Enterprise founder
• Entry-level roles in training, coaching or business support environments

📈 Why Choose This Programme?

• Build the confidence to launch or grow a business, even if you’re starting from zero.
• Learn how to stay compliant with CIPC, SARS, VAT, UIF and basic labour requirements.
• Avoid common mistakes such as poor cash flow management and incorrect pricing.
• Graduate with a practical business plan you can use with banks, funders or partners.
• Gain an accredited, workplace-relevant skills programme recognised across South Africa.