LGSETA Qualifications · Qualification programme
National Certificate: Local Economic Development
Local development practice and initiatives supporting economic participation.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Local development practice and initiatives supporting economic participation.
The programme brings together development strategy, operational practice, development implementation and financial management. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: An operational LED official must coordinate an initiative, manage its resources and review progress. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
The SAQA record has passed its registration end date. Confirm current enrolment or replacement arrangements with Ratomac.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- LED officials and staff pursuing operational management capability.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Connect the initiative with development strategy and integrated planning.
- Prepare a research, facilitation and project-coordination plan.
- Review practical implementation choices and stakeholder responsibilities.
- Produce a project budget, reporting outline and performance reflection.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Development strategy
This part of the programme examines development strategy, with attention to connecting policy and integrated planning. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Connecting policy.
- Integrated planning.
- Applied work: connect the initiative with development strategy and integrated planning.
Illustrative practical exercise
Connect the initiative with development strategy and integrated planning. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Operational practice
This part of the programme examines operational practice, with attention to research, facilitation and project management. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Research.
- Facilitation.
- Project management.
- Applied work: prepare a research, facilitation and project-coordination plan.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a research, facilitation and project-coordination plan. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Development implementation
This part of the programme examines development implementation, with attention to applying local economic development concepts. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Applying local economic development concepts.
- Connecting a development concept with the practical resources and partners required.
- Reviewing implementation choices against the initiative’s intended local benefit.
- Applied work: review practical implementation choices and stakeholder responsibilities.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review practical implementation choices and stakeholder responsibilities. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Financial management
This part of the programme examines financial management, with attention to project budgets, reporting and performance review. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Project budgets.
- Reporting.
- Performance review.
- Applied work: produce a project budget, reporting outline and performance reflection.
Illustrative practical exercise
Produce a project budget, reporting outline and performance reflection. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
An operational LED official must coordinate an initiative, manage its resources and review progress. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Qualification content summarised from SAQA. Delivery and enrolment arrangements are confirmed by Ratomac. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.