Level 3 Award
in Working in a Business Environment
Level 3 Award could transfer 20 credits and full tuition fees to Level 3 Diploma programs of SIMI Swiss.
Level 3 Award in Working in a Business Environment
The aim of this award is to help learners understand the business environment by exploring organizational structures and how different business functions work together. Learners will also be introduced to key aspects of financial and project management.
Could transfer 20 credits and full tuition fee to the Level 3 Diploma in Employability and Workplace Skills of SIMI Swiss.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand how different businesses operate within a business environment.
- 1.1 Identify different types of business models.
- 1.2 Describe the factors that motivate different types of business.
- 1.3 Discuss the importance of understanding the business environment.
- 1.4 Explain the importance of an organisation having a business plan.
2. Understand how the functional areas of businesses work together.
- 2.1 Describe the main functions of a business organisation.
- 2.2 Describe how the main business functions are organised.
- 2.3 Describe the communication channels used in a business environment.
- 2.4 Describe the lines of control and accountability in a business environment.
3. Understand financial management and budgeting relevant to the workplace.
- 3.1 Explain the main financial considerations when starting and running a business.
- 3.2 Explain how to calculate the estimated costs needed to achieve business objectives
- 3.3 Explain the cycle of business planning and budget-setting.
- 3.4 Explain the purpose of budget setting.
- 3.5 Explain how to use a budget to control performance and expenditure.
4. Understand project management.
- 4.1 Describe the purpose of project management.
- 4.2 Outline the process of project management.
- 4.3 Describe the skills and knowledge necessary for project management.
- 4.4 Review own skills necessary for project management.
Topics:
Understand different types of businesses
Course Coverage
- Businesses: private sector, public sector, third sector/voluntary organisations, sole trader, partnership, private companies, government departments, charities, local authorities.
- Factors that motivate businesses: recognition, profit, charitable purposes, providing services/goods to the public, serving the community, innovation, research.
Explore the business environment
Course Coverage
- Internal environment and external environment.
- Using SWOT and PEST analysis for business decision-making.
Understand the purpose and creation of a business plan
Course Coverage
- Components of a business plan: short- and long-term goal-setting, accessing finance, budgets, clarifying product, market, customers, projections, allocation of resources.
Examine the functions of an organisation
Course Coverage
- Theories of business organisation and key functions: operations, human resources, sales and marketing, research and development, design and production, finance, administration, IT.
- Roles and responsibilities within functions and their contribution to organisational success.
Analyse organisational structures
Course Coverage
- Purpose: division of work, lines of control and communication.
- Types: functional, geographic, product, customer-based structures.
- Diagrammatic representation: organisation charts, span of control.
Understand communication channels
Course Coverage
- Internal communication: face-to-face, written (memos, emails, letters, manuals), broadcast media, digital channels (email, intranet, social media).
- External communication: customers, stakeholders, auditors; centralised or decentralised systems.
- Networks: chain, circle, wheel, or Y networks; formal and informal communication methods.
- Lines of control and accountability: reporting structures, roles, and responsibilities.
Understand project management
Course Coverage
- Purpose: managing complex tasks, stakeholder needs, resource planning, risk management, and achieving project outcomes.
- Process: consult stakeholders, establish goals, agree specifications, plan projects, financial and contingency planning, delegate tasks, monitor progress, review and report outcomes.
Develop project management skills and knowledge
Course Coverage
- Skills: leadership, organisation, negotiation, attention to detail, planning, motivating, communication, time management, record keeping, risk management, problem-solving.
- Knowledge: stakeholder agreements, clear purpose, roles and responsibilities, contingency planning, agreed timescales.
Indicative reading list
- Billingham V — Project Management: How to Plan and Deliver a Successful Project (Studymates Ltd, 2008)
- Dyson, J.R. – Accounting for non-Accounting Students (8th edition) (Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2010)
- Graham N — Project Management for Dummies, UK Edition (John Wiley & Sons, 2010)
- Posner K – Project Management Pocketbook (Management Pocketbooks, 2008)
- Secrett, M. – Brilliant Budgets and Forecasts: Your Practical Guide to Preparing and Presenting Financial Information (Pearson Business, 2010)
Entry requirements
- Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
- Completion of full secondary education is required.
English requirements
If a learner is not from a predominantly English-speaking country, proof of English language proficiency must be provided.
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2 or equivalent
- Or A minimum TOEFL score of 101 or IELTS 5.5; Reading and Writing must be at 5.5 or equivalent
- Or A minimum Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score of 51 or equivalent
The SIMI Swiss reserves the highest decision-making power for admission whether to accept or not accept after a specific review of each candidate’s profile to ensure that they can comprehend and gain benefits when participating. For the fake university or diploma mills, University Partners shall not be accepted.
After graduating with Level 3 Award, students receive all certified documents from the SIMI Swiss.
Certified Documents:
- e-Certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss).
- Hard copy certificate from the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss) – Optional.
- Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualifications (APEL.Q) certified from SIMI Swiss for credit and tuition fee transfer.
Because the program is accredited and recognized, students can easily use certified in the working environment and have many opportunities for career advancement. In addition, in case if you want to study for a SIMI degree or university partner degree, students can convert all credits and the full paid tuition fee.
The SIMI Swiss’ Level 3 Award means:
The SIMI Swiss Level 3 Award is a qualification at the foundational level and is equivalent to the following:
- Level 3 Certificate of the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) in the UK
- Level 6 Certificate of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- Level 3 Certificate of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
- Level 3 Certificate of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
- Level 4 Certificate of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- Level 3 Certificate of the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF)
- Level 4 Certificate of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF)
Students can convert all credits and the full tuition fee when participating in the SIMI Swiss and/or University Partners academic programs if they want to study for an academic degree.
Credits transfer:
Learners can accumulate 20 credits from the Level 3 Award program when participating in the Level 3 Diploma program. Please see the credit transfer policy HERE
Tuition fee transfer:
When participating in the Level 3 Diploma program, students who have graduated 1 Level 3 Award will receive a discount of full tuition fee which you paid. Please see the tuition fee transfer HERE
The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program allows for the transfer of credits and tuition fees into full degree programs from SIMI Swiss and/or its university partners. SIMI Swiss reserves the right to limit admissions once the number of students exceeds the quotas.
Apply Policy:
- To participate in the SIMI Swiss micro-credential program, students need to meet the entry criteria corresponding to each level. Please see the “Entry” tab for more details.
- SIMI Swiss will not accept applicants if their entry qualifications are from diploma mill universities or schools/universities that are not accredited.
- English is not a mandatory entry requirement for Micro Credential programs, but candidates need to ensure that English is used in reading documents, listening to lectures, and doing assignments. Candidates should note that English is a mandatory requirement when switching to an academic program at SIMI Swiss and University Partners.
Apply Process:
- Choose the program that suits your requirements.
- Email your application to support@simiswiss.ch with all the required documents. You can download the application form here.
- Our admission department will contact you and guide you through further processes if the registration documents need to be supplemented.
- SIMI Swiss will issue the Letter of Acceptant (LOA). You wil proceed to the next steps according to the instructions and pay tuition fee.
- SIMI Swiss will issue a student confirmation letter, login account to the e-learning system and related documents.
- You have become an official SIMI Swiss student and enjoy your study journey.
The SIMI Swiss micro-credential program is fully online, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. You have the option to attend live classes with SIMI Swiss. The final exam will be uploaded to the system and evaluated by the academic panel of SIMI Swiss. Students must submit assignments on time; failure to do so will result in the student being considered to have discontinued the program.
Pricing Plans
Take advantage of one of our non-profit professional certified programs with favorable terms for your personal growing carreers.
- Full online videos
- e-Books
- Self-study contents
- Online tutor videos
- Assignment guide
- e-Certificate
- Hard copy certificate
- Accreditation & Recognition certified from University Partners
- Deliver hard copy certificate and all certified documents to your home
- Transfer full credits & tuition fees to equivalent academic programs
- Get more support tuition fees and scholarships when becoming SIMI' international students
- (*) In the event that you receive a scholarship or discount, the fee you should transfer is the amount you actually paid.
SWISS MICRO CREDENTIAL
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If you interested this micro credential course, please feel free to contact with us! Please note that this program is a not for profit and learning with full online model.