The Enterprise Management department, as one of the six focus areas offered at Pro Arte Alphen Park, is the study field that focuses on all the commercial subjects. It is also the study field with the biggest variety of subjects to choose from, as well as the largest number of learners.
In grades 8 and 9 we offer accounting, in addition to EMS accounting, as an elective, together with computer literacy. Accounting serves to better prepare learners for the subject in grades 10-12, and the computer literacy introduces learners to the world of computers, as well as possibly taking CAT (Computer Application Technology) or IT (Information Technology) as choice subjects in grades 10-12.
In the FET (Further Education and Training) phase, the Enterprise Management department offers five different subjects from which learners can make their choice.
Accounting: Deals with the logical, systematic and accurate selection and recording of financial information and transactions, as well as the compilation, analysis and interpretation of financial statements and managerial reports for use by interested parties.
Economics: Teaches how individuals, businesses, governments and other organizations within our society choose to use scarce resources to satisfy their numerous needs and wants in a manner that is efficient and equitable.
Business studies: Investigates how private and public enterprises can be managed best to achieve profit and other objectives. The subject lays a sound foundation for learners to initiate and/or carry out business activities effectively within a national and international context.
Information Technology (IT): Focuses on activities that deal with the solution of problems through logical thinking. They study Excel and SQL and then the majority of time is spent on programming in Delphi.
Computer Application Technology (CAT): Equips learners with the ability to create, design and communicate information in different formats. They study the five different Windows Applications. Word processing, spreadsheets in Excel, database in Access, presentations in PowerPoint and Internet Explorer.
During the first term of every year the grade 8's hold a market day, where they have to produce products and sell it to the rest of the school. They learn about production costs, delegating duties, marketing, dealing with customers, handling money, making a profit or a loss etc. This proves to be a very productive event every year.
The grade 10-12 IT learners have an opportunity to present their projects to the public at an annual IT evening, during which they are able to win great prizes.
The grade 12 accounting learners take part in the accounting Olympiad, organized by SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) and this year six of our learners went through to the second round. Our top accounting students who are interested in careers as accountants are also invited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the University of Pretoria to attend a workshop during the June/July holidays. The workshop gives the learners good insight about what being a chartered accountant entails. Every year, some of our learners are offered bursaries to go and study B.com Accounting by various companies such as PWC, Delloits, KPMG etc.
The subjects, as well as the experiences offered in the Enterprise Management department, serves as an excellent foundation for various fields of further education.