Advanced Certificate in Logistics Management

Purpose

The purpose and overall outcome of the qualification is to provide learners who are either already employed in a logistics environment or wish to find employment in this field, with the knowledge of more advanced principles, concepts and techniques that underlie the disciplines necessary for effective management of the supply chain.

This qualification aims to provide the learners with exposure to the principles, concepts and techniques at an advanced level which would aid in the management of the supply chain within the greater context of the business environment. The learner is introduced to the more generic modules of Human Resource and Financial Management thereby allowing the learner to expand their knowledge base and understand the context within which the Logistics Manager functions. The specialist modules of Import and Export Practice and Introduction to Transport Management ensure that the learner has an understanding of the individual sub-disciplines that form part of the logistics function. The introduction of the General Management module allows the learner to understand and apply the principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling and will therefore enhance their ability to manage logistics as well as manage a team.

The qualification aims to achieve the following outcomes

• Develop a detailed knowledge of the disciplines mentioned above and understand the inter-relationship between these disciplines.
• Compare and contrast theories and schools of thought inherent to the various disciplines.
• Evaluate, select and apply appropriate procedures when applying theory in the workplace in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
• Develop a strong problem-solving ability allowing for the application of theory in an unfamiliar context through analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information provided and sourced by the learner.
• Understand the ethical implications of decisions taken.
• Through the use of group work and the Integrated Application Project, develop the ability to work and communicate effectively within a group and present information in an efficient and meaningful way.
• Develop a responsible learner/employee who takes accountability for their own performance within this structured learning process as well as within the workplace.

Rationale

A need has been identified in industry for a qualification that equips employees at a junior or middle management level or those who aspire to become junior/middle managers, with a holistic and more advanced view of the logistics function and with knowledge of the principles and concepts that inform their daily activities over a range of disciplines. This need follows from the recognition that the junior and middle managers are key figures in the effective and efficient attainment of the organisation's objectives.

This qualification in Logistics Management is such a qualification in that, while it considers Logistics Management to be the core field, it also provides insights in the disciplines of Transport Management, Import and Export Practice, Human Resources and Financial Management as well as the more generic discipline of General Management. These modules have been developed around the competencies that are required by a person in the logistics field on a day-to-day basis.

Knowledge of the principles, cognitive tools and concepts that underlie this field of study is essential for the junior/middle manager to understand because of the contribution that they make to the effective management of the logistics function. Demonstration of the learner's ability to apply this knowledge and competence can be found in the Integrated Application Project.

The qualification is consistent with the objectives of the National Skills Development Policy in that it aims to equip learners with usable skills underpinned with the necessary knowledge to enhance understanding and provide a basis for further development. The qualification is primarily designed to provide access for learners already employed in a logistics environment but is also open to other categories of learners.

It is assumed that the learner would be competent in the language of instruction (English at NQF Level 4) and the theoretical knowledge and understanding accomplished at that level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning is recognised on a component-by-component basis or in terms of access to the qualification. Any prior learning has to be valid, authentic, relevant and sufficiently recent and at an appropriate level before it will be recognised as fulfilling the requirements for admission to the qualification or as a basis for exemption from a specific component of the qualification.

The institute must be satisfied that the qualifications, formal, informal and non-formal, when combined with work experience, represent competence against the defined Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

There are two policies that relate to Recognition of Prior Learning at the institute. The first is the Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning and Associated Procedures and the second relates to Regulations for Assessments in terms of the Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning. These policies are supported by the appropriate form on which evidence is detailed. This form is handed in together with all supporting documentation required.

While the national higher education CAT scheme is being developed, the institute will follow the guidelines as laid out in the Government Gazette 30353 (October; 2007) where:

• Any and all credits for an incomplete qualification can be recognised as meeting part of the requirements for a different qualification.
• A maximum of 50% credits of a completed qualification may be transferred to another qualification, provided also that no more than 50% of the credits required for the other qualification are credits that have been used for a completed qualification.

The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements can gain access to the qualification through the RPL and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established by an assessor.

Access to the Qualification

The access to this qualification is granted to applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or the alternative routes of entry. Applicants who are in possession of a relevant Higher Certificate.

This qualification consists of 8 modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 120 Credits

• Import and Export Practice, 15 Credits.
• Introduction to Transport Management, 15 Credits.
• Logistics Systems, 15 Credits.
• Logistics Activities, 15 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
• Financial Management 1, 15 Credits.
• General Management, 15 Credits.
• Integrated Application Project 2, 15 Credits.

1. Understand the principles, roles and performance of various logistics activities.
2. Understand the three phases of network and operational planning, supply chain analysis methods and techniques and the information technology that supports these.
3. Understand the regulatory environment which determines import and export practice.
4. Understand how transport integrates into a total supply chain environment and how to optimise transport usage.
5. Identify the role of management in business and apply the fundamental tasks of the management process.
6. Execute human resource management tasks and functions within the context of current labour legislation.
7. Analyse and interrogate financial statements.
8. Conduct a research project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The role of logistics in supply chain management is understood.
• An understanding of the importance of customer accommodation and its implications is demonstrated.
• An understanding of packaging designs that facilitate standard configurations is displayed.
• Basic material handling systems in the context of receiving material, conveyancing materials to line side and finished goods are used.
• An understanding of the various warehousing ownership arrangements available, handling and storage principles and warehouse decision criteria are demonstrated.
• An understanding of transportation structures, modal classifications, transport functionality and transport service is demonstrated.
• Demonstrate an understanding of entry level inventory control theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Phase one and two of network and operational planning are demonstrated.
• An understanding of phase three of the planning methodology, namely recommendations and implementation is demonstrated.
• An understanding of supply chain analysis methods and techniques is expressed.
• An understanding of information architecture and technology is demonstrated.
• An understanding of enterprise planning and monitoring is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• An understanding of the South African law of international trade is demonstrated.
• An understanding of the contract of sale is demonstrated.
• An understanding of the carriage of goods by sea is described.
• An understanding of Marine Cargo Insurance is demonstrated.
• The methods of payment in international trade are explained.
• Settlement of international trade disputes is analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Transport infrastructure and the regulatory environment which governs transport management are explained.
• Factors and characteristics that drive transport costs are identified.
• An understanding of the various administrative functions that determine optimal transport management is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The role of management in the business organisation is discussed.
• Planning, organising, leading, and controlling as a management tasks are performed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate an understanding of human resource management tasks and functions are performed.
• An understanding of job design and analysis is demonstrated.
• Recruitment and selection is applied.
• An understanding of employee orientation and motivation is demonstrated.
• Performance management and appraisal is conducted.
• Training and development is conducted.
• An understanding of the union-management relationship, employee discipline and dismissal is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• An understanding of financial management terms, goals, principles, functions of the financial manager, the operations environment of the business and the agency problem is demonstrated.
• An understanding of financial statements and financial planning is demonstrated.
• Analysis of ratio in financial statements is conducted.
• An understanding and importance of the time value of money is demonstrated.
• The sources of finance for a business are identified.
• Risk and return are analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Research inquiry is planned and conducted on the basis of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will use both formative and summative assessment to assess the competencies of the learners. This integrated assessment will be in the form of tests, assignments, case studies and a minor research project. The Research Project is completed at the end of the qualification and forms a simulated/workplace based assessment based on all the skills and competencies learnt in other modules which constitute the qualification.