Faculty of
Business and Technical Studies
VET: Small Business Studies

BUSINESS STUDY AREA SPECIFICATION

CERTIFICATE 1 AND/OR 2

 Small Business Management

Year 11 students had the opportunity to gain first hand experience of how to run a business through their involvement with Young Achievement Australia.

The boys searched for an idea that they could develop and built a business around their product. They raised capital through the sale of shares and a raffle. They chose a product, manufactured it, marketed it, paid wages, commission and tax and finally liquidated the company - all within the space of a year.

The students were sponsored in their activities by the Australian Institute of Management who undertook training of the students for various components of the course. They also provided us with a venue for our meetings. As part of the course the students had to participate in a trade fair at Strathome Shopping Centre. While we did not sell a lot of product, valuable experience was gained in the process of setting up a sales venue and ensuring that every part of the occasion is organized.

These skills proved invaluable in assisting the students to make a success of their own day at the Brunswick Street Markets.

The study area specification in Business has been developed as a two-year program of study for students in Years 11 and 12. It comprises both general and vocational education components and provides students with a variety of intellectual, technical, operational and workplace skills.

Focus of study area

Business, as an area of study, helps to develop students' understanding of the Australian business environment; in particular, local industries and the environments in which they operate. It also provides students with a range of personal and interpersonal skills with general application to personal and work life, as well as specific knowledge and skills related to employment within the business services, and wholesale and retail industries. As many students aspire to careers in a variety of small business, retail and clerical-administrative situations, the program of study enables students to respond to the ever-changing nature of business technologies, to perform a variety of tasks, to communicate effectively, to operate efficiently in a business, and to relate to people.

The mandatory study area core is designed to allow students to achieve a broad understanding of the business services and retail industries and to begin to develop certain integral skills and attitudes that underpin employment in these industries. The study area core consists of four units: Business Environments, Human Resource Management, Promotion, Sales and Marketing, and Career Pathways.

From such study students are given an understanding of business and retail which provides them with opportunities for the development of appropriate skills to assist them in their transition from school to the work force and to their role as responsible members of the community. Students who do not wish to enter employment within the business services or retail industries have the opportunity to develop skills in and attitudes towards business and to be able to put them to use in a broader life role.

Activities may include:

• using a range of office and retail equipment and other business technologies
• using a variety of computer software
• preparing and producing business documents using display and keyboard skills
• simulating basic business procedures
• role-playing business situations
• conducting market research, e.g. developing questionnaires
• undertaking case studies of local businesses/retail outlets
• participating in small group workshops and discussions
• participating in structured work experience related to the strand undertaken.

Two strands are currently offered by the College:

1. Certificate II in Small Business Management Fundamentals

Through participation in Young Achievement Australia, the College has been able to give students the opportunity of receiving the nationally recognised Certificate II in Small Business Management within one year.

This particular area of study aims

• to develop students' understanding of Australian business and its environment
• to provide students with a range of personal and interpersonal skills with a general application to personal and work life
• to give students opportunities to set up and operate a business of their own
• to provide specific knowledge and skills related to employment within the business services industry.
• to develop students' skills in using a variety of technology to provide students with entrepreneurial and organisational skills
• to give students the opportunity to compete statewide and nationally for industry recognition

If this course is satisfactorily completed, students will receive dual recognition:

1. Nationally recognised Certificate II in Small Business Management.
2. Recognition on their Senior Certificate, through the recording of a global level of achievement.

Vocational outcomes of this course

On successful completion of the vocational education modules in Business (Small Business), students will be able to:

• carry out a limited range of entry-level tasks within a position such as assistant/trainee manager of a small business which has some form of management structure;
• demonstrate vocational responsibility suitable to the requirements of employers for entry-level employees;
• identify career paths available within small business leading to management positions;
• apply knowledge and skills required to gain entry level employment in a range of small business functions across a range of industries;
• undertake further education in small business management to develop their small business competencies; and
• make informed decisions within the context of self-employment.

Certification gained on completion of the vocational modules in Business (Small Business)

On completion of the modules in Business (Small Business), students will receive appropriate certification listing the industry competency standards and/or modules in which they have demonstrated competency during the course.

Certificate II in Small Business Management Fundamentals.

CODE MODULE NAME NOMINAL PRE-REQUISITE

HOURS

• SBM1 Business Opportunities 35 Nil
• SBM2 The Business Plan 35 Nil
• SBM3 Legal & Administrative requirements for Small Business 30 Nil
• SBM4 Marketing Fundamentals 20 Nil
• SBM5 Business Operations 20 Nil
• SBM6 Human resources 20 Nil
• SBM7 Financial Fundamentals 15 Nil
• SBM8 Business Review 10 Nil
• TEM2A Team Tasks 20 Nil
• FIN2A Financial Documents (Cash Flow and Accounting Records) 30 Nil
• IND1 Industry Placement (Small Business Management fundamentals) 40 Nil
• participation in trade days and seminars

It is not a requirement of Business (Small Business) that students complete the full certificate.

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