Modelling Social Security and Public Works
Course overview
This course will first provide an overview of the history of social protection, range of interventions, boundaries of social protection, national variations (in the size of social protection), causes and consequences of social protection, roles of the economy, the state and civil society. We will review theories of the causes of social protection and alternative interpretations of the consequences of a social protection program for modern developed and underdeveloped economies.
The course will then introduce you to economic modelling techniques that are used to design social security and public employment policies and quantify their economic and social impact. You will learn about microsimulation and linked macro-micro modelling techniques that are internationally used for above purposes. With direct access to both types of models, the course goes into details on how a microsimulation model and a linked micro-macro model are built, their architecture, role of data, statistical analysis and computer programming. Through hands-on practice session, our web-based models allow you to design Basic Income Grant and/or other social security policy scenarios and public employment scenarios and forecast the impact of your scenarios on individuals, households, and the economy at various levels. Course modules are also dedicated to teaching how to integrate model projections into national and provincial planning, M&E system.
Course details
About the Course
Content
Following is a brief description of the course content:
- Overview of history and theories of social protection, with focus on social security and public employment program;
- Review of economic modelling tools used for social protection policies;
- Hands-on on practice with models to design social protection policy scenarios and to quantify their likely future impact;
- Using model scenarios and projections as inputs into social security and public employment policymaking processes and planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Outcomes
Upon completion of this course learners should be able to:
- Describe the economic, social and political context in which social protection policies emerged and developed;.
- Understand the multifunctionality of social security and public employment;
- Explain how different schools of economic thought provide different conceptualizations of social protection policies;
- Apply the knowledge and understanding they gained on the course to evaluate the design and impact of social security and public employment policies;.
- Participate in the conception and quantitative assessment of social security policies and public employment progras (PEP);
- Design social security and PEP policy scenarios and carry out simulation of their impact;
- Take part in and take a position in debates on social security issues;
- Provide empirical results and options that contribute to the advancement of social security and PEP in a country;
- Translate model results to broader social security and public employment policies;
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree at NQF level 7 or equivalent; and
- A minimum of three year’s work experience in the economic policy-making or economic management area.
Course Structure
Module 1: Economics of Social Protection
What is the overview of this module?
The lectures under this module provide an overview of the history of social protection (e.g., social security and public employment policies), analytical approaches, range of interventions, boundaries of social protection, national variations, causes and consequences of social protection, and roles of the state and civil society. We will review theories of the causes of social protection, and alternative interpretations of the consequences of a social protection programme for modern developed and underdeveloped economies.
What topics does this module cover?
- Economic insecurity and social protection.
- Social protection systems and policies;
- Economic analysis of social protection: conventional approach, the Keynesian perspective and the monetarist critique of the welfare state.
- Social protection and meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century, including an aging population, migration, and the changing nature of employment brought about by rapid technological change
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Explain the purpose and objectives of social protection policies (and their evolution);
- Describe the historical context in which social protection systems emerged and developed;
- Understand how different schools of economic thought provide different conceptualizations of social protection ;
- Provide critical reflections on social protection issues;
- Understand the broader socio-economic aims of social protection instruments and to locate the latter in their broader socio-economic setting.
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
If you register this module as a stand-alone module, you will receive a Certificate of completion after successful completion of the module.
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
Yes, this module is offered both as part of the overall course and as a stand also module.
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Module 2: Microsimulation Modelling of Social Protection
What is the overview of this module?
This module introduces learners to microsimulation modelling techniques that are internationally used for the design of social protection policies. It introduces learners to the architecture and properties of a South African model of social security and public employment program as a country application of microsimulation modelling techniques.
What topics does this module cover?
Module Topics
- What is a microsimulation technique?
- What policy areas are microsimulation models used for?
- What are the different types of microsimulation models?
- What are the main sources of data for a microsimulation model of social protection programme?
- What are the building blocks of a typical social protection microsimulation model?
- What are the steps to building a social protection microsimulation model?
- How does a social protection microsimulation model generate its outputs?
- What kind of output does a social protection microsimulation model generate?
- How does one interpret projections generated by a social protection microsimulation model?
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students have learned about:
- Microsimulation modelling techniques and how they are used to design and simulate ‘what if’ scenarios related to social security and public works programs
- The architecture, data requirements, policy modules and simulation outcomes of models built for social security and public works.
- International applications of the microsimulation modelling techniques for social protection policies.
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
This module is an integral part of the course. It builds on the first module. You will receive a Certificate for the completion of the entire course
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
No, this module is not an stand-alone module. It is an integral part of the Course. Only learners that have completed Modules 1 allowed to continue with this module.
Lesson 1:
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Module 3: Macro-Micro Modelling of Social Protection
What is the overview of this module?
This module introduces learners to the linked micro-macro modelling techniques that are also internationally used for the design of social security and public works policies. It introduces learners to the architecture and properties of a South African linked macro-micro model of social security and PEP as a country application of this modelling technique.
What topics does this module cover?
Module Topics
- What is a linked macro-micro modelling technique?
- What policy areas are these models used for?
- What are the different types of linked macro-micro models?
- What are the main sources of data for these models?
- What are the building blocks of a typical macro-micro social protection model?
- What are the steps to building a linked macro-micro model for a social protection program?
- How does a linked macro-micro model generate its outputs?
- What kind of economic and social protection outputs does a macro-micro model generate?
- How does one interpret a macro-micro model results?
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students have learned about:
- The linked macro-micro modelling techniques and how they are used to design and simulate ‘what if’ scenarios related to social security and public works programmes;
- The architecture, data requirements, policy modules and simulation outcomes of a typical macro-micro model built for the assessment of macroeconomic and household impacts of social security and public works policy scenarios.
- International application of linked macro-micro modelling techniques for social protection policies.
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
This module is an integral part of the course. It builds on the first module. You will receive a Certificate for the completion of the entire course.
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
No, this module is not an stand-alone module. It is an integral part of the Course. Only learners that have completed Modules 1 and 2 are allowed to continue with this module.
Lesson 1:
- Overview:
- Instructor:
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Module 4: Hands-on Practice: Microsimulation
What is the overview of this module?
Through hands-on practical exercises, the sessions under this module will provide basic training on how to use a microsimulation model of social security and public works for policy planning and analyses.
Learners will be provided access to a full web-based South African microsimulation model of social security and public employment
and learn how to design ‘what if’ scenarios, simulate the impact of those changes, and analyze model results by race, gender, province and locality.
What topics does this module cover?
Module Topic Include:
- Learning how to navigate a microsimulation model;
- Learning how to use the model to:
- Design social security scenarios such as Basic Income Grant scenarios;
- Design public employment policy scenarios;
- Simulating likely future impact of own scenarios;
- Viewing and interpreting model projections
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Use a microsimulation model to design social security and public works policy scenarios and quantify their likely future impact on individuals, households, poverty and inequality for various population cohorts.
- Evaluate the design and impact of social security and public employment policies;
- Participate in the conception and quantitative assessment of social security and PEP policy development;
- Design social security and public employment policy scenarios and carry out simulation of their impact;
- Provide empirical results and options that contribute to the advancement of social security and public employment programme in a country.
- Translate ‘what if’ scenarios from policymakers into model scenarios, quantify their likely future impact, and explain the results to policymakers.
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
This module is an integral part of the course. It builds on the earlier modules.
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
Is this module also a stand-alone module? No, this module is not an stand-alone module. It is an integral part of the Course. Only learners that have completed earlier modules are allowed to continue with this module.
Lesson 1:
- Overview:
- Instructor:
- Lecture Type:
- Teaching Method:
- Requirements:
- Duration:
- Date:
Lesson 2:
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Module 5: Hands-on Practice: Macro-Micro
What is the overview of this module?
Through hands-on practical exercises, this module will provide basic training on how to use a linked macro-micro model of social security and public works for policy planning and analyses.
Learners will be provided access to a full web-based South African linked macro-micro model of social security and public employment and learn how to design ‘what if’ scenarios related to social security and public works, simulate the macro- and micro economic impact of those changes.
What topics does this module cover?
Module Topic Include:
- Learning how to navigate a microsimulation model;
- Learning how to use the model to:
- Design social security scenarios such as Basic Income Grant scenarios;
- Design public employment policy scenarios;
- Simulating likely future impact of own scenarios;
- Viewing and interpreting model projections
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Use a linked macro-micro model to design social security and public works policy scenarios and quantify their likely future impact on the economy, individuals, households, poverty and inequality.
- Evaluate the design and impact of social security and public employment policies, from macro and micro economic angels;
- Participate in the conception and quantitative assessment of social security and PEP policy development;
- Design social security and public employment policy scenarios and carry out simulation of their economic and social impact;
- Provide empirical results and options that contribute to the advancement of social security and public employment programme in a country.
- Translate ‘what if’ scenarios from policymakers into model scenarios, quantify their likely future impact, and explain the results to policymakers
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
This module is an integral part of the course. It builds on the earlier modules.
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
Is this module also a stand-alone module? No, this module is not an stand-alone module. It is an integral part of the Course. Only learners that have completed earlier modules are allowed to continue with this module.
Lesson 1:
- Overview:
- Instructor:
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- Requirements:
- Duration:
- Date:
Lesson 2:
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Module 6: Managing Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
What is the overview of this module?
This module is designed to teach students how to translate model scenarios and results to policy proposals; how to effectively communicate key findings related to a modelling exercise to executives; and how to use access to economic models to provide timely responses to emerging issues and requests from the executives.
Also, this module examines how model based policy scenarios can inform and help the design, implementation, and fine-tuning of medium and long term social security and public employment policies. It examines how model scenarios and forecasts can help develop consensus on possible future social security and public employment paths and to regularly monitor the actual evolution of the social security and public employment indicators against their expected paths. The module looks at the articulation between strategy, policy, program and project management in context of delivering successful social security and public employment policies
What topics does this module cover?
Module Topic Include:
- Integration of policy design and impact analysis, using economic models, into evidence based social protection policy development and deliberation;
- Utilization of model scenarios and projections into the processes of planning, monitoring and evaluation
What are the Lessons under this module?
The list of five lessons (lectures) that makes up this module will be released two weeks before the start date of the first lesson.
Who are the instructors for this module?
Information about the instructors for the five lessons under this module will be released two weeks before the start of the first lesson.
How will the module topics be presented?
The lessons of this module will be presented virtually by assigned instructors through live sessions.
What are the expected outcomes of this module?
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Translate model scenarios and results to policy proposals;
- Communicate key findings related to a modelling exercise to executives;
- Use access to economic models to provide timely responses to emerging issues and requests from the executives.
- Use model scenarios and forecasts to help develop consensus on possible future social security and public employment paths;
- Regularly monitor the actual evolution of the social security and public employment indicators against their expected paths.
What is the structure of this module?
This module will be delivered through a number of lessons whose details are provided under ‘What are the lessons under this module?’
What are the requirements of this module?
Same as the requirements for the course.
Will I receive a completion Certificate?
This module is an integral part of the course. It builds on the earlier modules.
Is this module also a stand-alone module?
Is this module also a stand-alone module? No, this module is not an stand-alone module. It is an integral part of the Course. Only learners that have completed earlier modules are allowed to continue with this module.
Lesson 1:
- Overview:
- Instructor:
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- Duration:
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Lesson 5:
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Features
Type & Level
- This course is offered at a level 7 on the NQF and participants are expected to perform at this level.
- It is a non-credit bearing distance learning executive course (Short Learning Programme, SLP).
Teaching Method
- Instructor-led contact lectures that are discussion-focused and cognitively stimulating.
- Provision of the latest theoretical and practical scholarly learning material.
Guidelines
- Attendance at lectures is compulsory.
- Individual assignments may be set during the programme and these must be completed and submitted to the course convener by the date specified. All assignments must show the student(s) number and name (or Learning Group name), title of the assignment and the lecturer’s name.
- Students who cannot complete a module due to work commitments or illness will be permitted to complete the course when it is offered again.
- Students will be asked to complete an assessment of lecturers and the programme. This assessment is intended to assist the programme convener in maintaining and improving the programme’s quality and all constructive comments and suggestions will be welcomed. All students are required to complete and submit the evaluation form.
Logistics
Assessment Criteria
Learners will be deemed competent when/if they can:
- Identify major debates in macroeconomic theory and policy;
- Able to compare and contrast the tenets of main schools of thoughts in economics
- Identify important economic linkages and interactions within the macro-economy
- Discuss how these linkages and interactions affect economic performance
- Explain why economists build linked nation-subnational economic models
- Explain the major steps of building a national-subnational macroeconomic model
- Explain differences between main macroeconomic modelling techniques
- Explain and interpret macroeconomic results of a national-subnational model
- Use a linked national-subnational macroeconomic model for various policy demands
- Analyze model results at national and regional levels in terms of the impact and effectiveness of policy scenarios
- Use a model to forecast economic trajectories and policy responses at national and regional levels
Assessment Method
- The course will be assessed at NQF Level 7.
- The assessment of participants’ performance will be undertaken at the end of module three and module six of the certificate.
- Levels of understanding and application will be measured through assignments, presentations, and case study work to assess application of conceptual and practical aspects of the material.
- Assignments and exams must be handed at the time and date specified on the front page of the course outline for each module.
- For every week an assignment is late, 5% will be deducted. If submitted one month after the due date, 20% will be deducted from the assignment mark. Assignments will not be accepted, if submitted later than one month after the due date.
- Any person suspected of copying or plagiarising will be handed back their assignment unmarked. Students are warned that they will be penalised, at the discretion of the facilitator(s), if they copy.
Dates
The six modules of this course will be taught intermittently between July 2023 and January 2024 as follow:
- Module 1: 17-21 July, 2023
- Module 2: 21-25 August, 2023
- Module 3: 18-22 September, 2023
- Module 4: 16-20 October, 2023
- Module 5: 20-24 November, 2023
- Module 6: 22-27 January, 2024
Certificate
- Once course is successfully completed you may log into your account, view certificate, and select add to LinkedIn. Potential employers and associates will be able to view your certificate. EMA will also endorse your economic modelling skill once you add it into your LinkedIn account.
- There is no additional fee related to your certificate.
- You must complete all classes and assignments to be able to obtain a certificate.
Support
Coordinator
Course coordinator: Dr. Asghar Adelzadeh
The course coordinator is available to respond to questions related to the course content and structure. Go to Contact Us page to submit your inquiry.
Alumni Support
Each graduate will receive support for his or her job search and placement.
Cost
Cost
Learners can enroll either in the full course (Modules 1 to 6) or in only module 1, which provides a review of concepts and topics. Only Module 1 is offered both as a stand-alone module and as part of the full course. The total cost for each of the above two options is provided below:
1. Full Course Cost (Modules 1 to 6)
- Tuition R78 500
- Fees* R16 500
- Total Cost R95 000
2. Module 1 Cost
- Tuition R14 000
- Fees* R0
- Total Cost R14 000
* Fees relate to the discounted cost of accessing web-based models during the course and for three months after the course.
Discounts
Enterprises that register a group of their employees for this course will receive total cost discounts based on their group sizes.
EMA Enterprise Discount Program:
- 10% for Group Size 2 to 10
- 15% for Group Size 11 to 20
- 20% for Group Size 21 to 30
- 25% for Group Size Greater Than 30
Scholarships
EMA provides a limited number of partial scholarships, designed to assist individuals with financial needs and who otherwise have the necessary pre-requisites to take one of the current courses. To apply, please complete this form.
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