Advanced Diploma in Forestry

Purpose

The qualification aims to prepare learners both academically and professionally to manage forestry operations and systems successfully through appropriate planning, organising, directing and controlling the functions and processes of such establishments, taking full cognisance of the economic, social and environmental considerations of this industry. Learners will be able to collect, analyse and critically review information and data for effective forest management and decision-making, and communicate such decisions and relevant information coherently and reliably.

Learners will also be able to integrate the general theories, principles, key concepts, practices and techniques of Forest Management.

Rationale

The forestry industry in South Africa contributes approximately 8% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the manufacturing industry, provides in excess of 300 000 direct job opportunities and is regarded as a strategically important natural resource. The complexity of the industry requires highly skilled employees that are adequately trained in the management of complex systems. The industry is based on intensively managed monoculture systems that are located in a complex biophysical environment. The industry depends on a workforce that is influenced by a dynamic labour market. In order to stay competitive, it relies on the development of sophisticated management and planning systems. Mechanisation is also a phenomenon that will become increasingly important. These complexities have resulted in job profile differentiation at middle and higher level management. This qualification will play an important role in providing a workforce with relevant and adequate skills and knowledge to ensure a competitive and sustainable forest industry.

The qualification will allow learners the opportunity to specialise in a selected spectrum of disciplines in order to prepare them for middle level management functions in the forestry industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution often receives applications form individuals who studied in a related field of natural resource management, but they have extensive working experience of the commercial forestry processing industry. In such cases, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be considered for access to the qualification according to the institution's RPL policy.

The aspects of "learning assumed to be in place" will be used as reference. If it is found that the academic qualifications in combination with the work experience of the learner can be considered as similar to the Wood Technology Diploma, learners will be admitted to the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Forestry at Level 6.

Or

• A related qualification at Level 6.

This qualification consists of a compulsory module and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 7, 20 Credits

• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, level 7, 50 Credits (Select two modules)

• Silviculture, 25 Credits.
• Forest Management,25 Credits.
• Forest Engineering, 25 Credits.
• Fire Management, 25 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 25 Credits.
• Business Management, 25 Credits.
• Forestry Extension, 25 Credits.
• Environmental Management, 25 Credits.
• Woodland Ecology and Management, 25 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the strategic and operational aspects of plantation forestry within the southern African context.
2. Integrate and apply the latest advances in forest planning and management systems as well as appropriate technology in order to manage forestry operations.
3. Demonstrate the ability to manage a forestry operation through the application of appropriate strategic, operational and financial management and leadership principles and practices with full cognizance of corporate social responsibility as well as ethical and environmental considerations.
4. Plan, manage and conclude basic applied research activities by applying relevant forest research principles and analytical techniques, and presenting findings and conclusions coherently and reliably using appropriate academic and professional discourse conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse, evaluate and discuss the nature, dynamics, composition, functioning and structure of the plantation forestry industry in Southern Africa.
• Apply the technical aspects of the various disciplines in the plantation forestry value chain in strategic and operational forest management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate level-appropriate competence by identifying, contextualising, analysing and addressing typical challenges faced regularly by middle level forest managers in the identified fields, applying knowledge of relevant theories, principles, concepts, practices and techniques.
• Evaluate options and strategies and well-motivated solutions are recommended.
• Explain the critical awareness of various schools of thought that result in different perspectives and approaches to dealing with typical forest managerial issues, such as individual business and management decisions, applications, strategies and ethical considerations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe the relationship that exists between the internal workings of a commercial forestry value chain and the surrounding environment, including key factors such as leadership and corporate agility, programme performance, as well as the integration of ethical, social and environmental measures vital to the successful functioning of any forestry development.
• Define the level of commitment required by a forest manager in the pursuit of goals and objectives by relating it to the programmes and products, staff development, motivation, wellness and training, resources, information management, monitoring of progress and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Analyse the perceptions of stakeholders of particular business establishments as well as neighbouring communities with a view to identifying causes of stakeholder concerns and building positive customer and community relationships.
• Identify and link Instances of visionary and inspirational leadership to the associated values, strategies, systems and methods of corporate social responsibility for achieving excellence and innovation in forest management, research and technological developments.
• Make functional management and operational and financial decisions, based on relevant data, both independently and as member of a team and the impact of such decisions on other aspects or areas of the forestry value chain are determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and formulate pertinent forestry-related research problems, questions or issues.
• Conduct literature searches in order to contextualise and frame the research problem, question or issue and frame the area of investigation.
• Develop a theoretical framework for the research design and the most suitable method of investigation determined.
• The relevant data are collected, analysed, processed and interpreted, making use of appropriate data gathering techniques, appropriate software and analytical tools.
• A research report is prepared and presented with findings, conclusions and recommendations that meet the requirements of a scientific document and academic style.

Integrated Assessment

The method of assessment may vary according to the module purpose, its subject matter and the teaching and learning approach adopted. Some modules are theoretically oriented; others require a more practical, hands-on approach. This will be reflected in the assessment procedures.

Formative Assessment will be based on a mixture of assignments during the year, ranging from informal and formal presentations to informal tests and progress checks during contact sessions. The outcomes of these assessments will be used to provide feedback to learners and lecturers in order to facilitate improved learning.

Summative Assessment

Learners will have to demonstrate the ability to communicate and integrate knowledge of the key issues, highlighted in the respective modules, and identify and resolve typical problems in the subfields as indicated. This will require critical and creative thinking as well as the ability to make practical applications of the learning outcomes as indicated in the module descriptors.

In order to gain much needed practical experience, learners will be required to spend time simulating typical day-to-day managerial tasks and duties required of managers. In addition, level-appropriate research projects, which may include fieldwork, in each specialisation will be purposefully assigned, organised and monitored by lecturers based on the module learning outcomes. This might include the analyses of case studies that incorporate elements of the socio-ecological as well as business environments of the forestry industry.

The assessment topics and tasks, their format and criteria will be set out in the learner module guides made available at the beginning of each semester.