New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Small Business)

Note: As a business division of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

From 2023, UCOL and the programme you have enrolled in will become part of Te Pūkenga. So, if you join UCOL in 2023, you will be awarded Te Pūkenga certification. And, if you are a current learner graduating in 2023, you will be awarded a co-branded certificate.

This programme consists of 60 credits. The courses includes:

Small Business Opportunities (15 Credits) 

To identify and analyse opportunities for the creation of a small business. The course covers:

• Concepts of feasibility and viability
• Techniques:
• Business and industry research, market research, technology and international context
• Industry and macro environment
• Personal Development Plan
• (Inter) personal and communication skills:
• Personal reflection
• Report writing
• Teamwork skills

Small Business Planning (15 Credits)

To develop knowledge and skills for assessing the financial and people requirements for a new small business. The course covers:

• Business Planning
• (Inter)personal and communication skills:
• Stress Management
• Time management
• Professional behaviour
• Interpersonal skills
• Report Writing
• Finance:
• Funding opportunities
• Cash flow forecasting
• Budgeting
• Opportunity cost analysis
• Breakeven analysis, Income statements, balance sheets
• Financial ratios 
• Investment and market analysis.
• Calculation of profitability and efficacy of any plans to be implemented 
• Reality check
• Research:
• Data collection
• Statistical analysis

Small Business and Stakeholders (15 Credits) 

To identify ethical and professional standards and stakeholder engagement processes, and apply problem-solving skills in a small business context. The course covers:

• Interpersonal skills:
• Communications strategies
• Consultation and surveying
• Teamwork
• Socially appropriate behaviour: environmental, community and sustainability expectations
• Culturally appropriate behaviour: wider than ethnicity
• Business ethics:
• Corporate social responsibility
• Triple Bottom Line o Public expectations  o Codes of conduct
• Problem solving techniques
• Decision making tools
• Stakeholder engagement:
• Business stakeholders (for example employees, financiers, shareholders, suppliers, customers and the wider community)
• Stakeholder expectations

Small Business Operations (15 Credits) 

To develop the knowledge and skills for identifying the legal, regulatory and resource requirements for a small business. The course covers:

• Resourcing:
• Supply chain management
• Production processes
• Service delivery
• Technology
• Staffing requirements
•  Establishment  planning:
• Application of analysis techniques
• Feasibility and viability analysis
• Legal and Regulatory requirements for a small business:
• Taxation
• Environmental
• Health and safety
• Employment
• Resource management
• Consumer 
• Company law rules
• (Inter)personal and communication skills:
• Report writing
• Reading legal documents

NCEA level or equivalent;

OR

Equivalent academic achievement on a case-by-case basis

OR

At the discretion of the Executive Dean.

There is no work experience component for this programme of study.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).