PSETA Qualifications · Qualification programme
National Certificate: Public Administration
The administration of public services and the organisational processes supporting delivery.
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.
The administration of public services and the organisational processes supporting delivery.
The programme brings together public service practice, people and leadership, administrative systems and resource accountability. 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: A public administration team needs clearer links between service delivery, staff responsibilities and information systems. 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.
- Public officials and operational administration staff.
- 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
- Map the service process and its policy context.
- Prepare a people-coordination and leadership plan.
- Design an administrative information and project-support workflow.
- Review finance and risk responsibilities within the service process.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Public service practice
This part of the programme examines public service practice, with attention to delivery, policy and the legislative context. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Delivery.
- Policy.
- The legislative context.
- Applied work: map the service process and its policy context.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map the service process and its policy context. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02People and leadership
This part of the programme examines people and leadership, with attention to management and organisational coordination. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Management.
- Organisational coordination.
- Applied work: prepare a people-coordination and leadership plan.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a people-coordination and leadership plan. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Administrative systems
This part of the programme examines administrative systems, with attention to knowledge, technology and project support. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Knowledge.
- Technology.
- Project support.
- Applied work: design an administrative information and project-support workflow.
Illustrative practical exercise
Design an administrative information and project-support workflow. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Resource accountability
This part of the programme examines resource accountability, with attention to finance, risk and professional conduct. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Finance.
- Risk.
- Professional conduct.
- Applied work: review finance and risk responsibilities within the service process.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review finance and risk responsibilities within the service process. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A public administration team needs clearer links between service delivery, staff responsibilities and information systems. 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.