Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transportation Management

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide professional and management education for logistics and transport professionals in government and the private sector. It will make available a route to postgraduate professionalisation for practitioners in related fields, and support efforts in industry to bridge the gap between different participants and stakeholders in the management of transportation and logistics.

The main objectives of the Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transportation Management are to

• Provide an academic training opportunity that supports efforts in industry management, that will bridge the gap between different participants and stakeholders in the management of transportation. This gap is experienced when planning and implementation happens.
• Provide an opportunity for somebody with extensive appropriate experience in the management of transportation but with inappropriate qualifications, to obtain an appropriate qualification.
• Position a suitably academically qualified learner with an appropriate mix of relevant subjects in order to obtain employment or add value to current employment as a either a contributor or a manager to the management of transportation.
• Provide an opportunity for career change to learners from other disciplines as well as current incumbents working professionally in another field.

Rationale

The transportation environment in South Africa currently experiences several challenges, (i.e. unprecedented growth in vehicle numbers and the stressed ability to supply and maintain transportation infrastructure). This qualification is at improving the co-ordination between all providers and stake holding partners in the transportation industry. This will prepare the learners better for the complicated and societal and otherwise contextualised nature of their "chosen" work environment (engineers/budgeting officials/management officials/the public perceptions of transportation users/politicians/transportation providers or users etc.).

During the research for this qualification, the reference group stressed a need for further training of management-level professionals with sector-specific knowledge of transport and logistics e.g. for planning and monitoring in government integrated across transport modes, state-funded and private-sector logistics firms, etc. This need will be heightened by massive new government programmes on transport infrastructure. In Free State, Northern Cape and North West Statistics South Africa indicates 6800 employees in the transport sector of which the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) assumes 15% are managers. Calculations suggested a need for more graduates annually. These figures of employees in these categories of occupation who can benefit from this qualification substantiate the need identified for this qualification. The reference group, a survey of users, and the expert consultant identified an adequate demand for and urged the value of positioning the qualification at an Advanced Diploma level with appropriate curriculum for recognising alternative paths into transport and logistics.

Given the current status, success rate and capacity of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and its School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, where this qualification will be housed, together with the Faculty of Management Sciences that will be servicing four of the nine modules, the successful implementation of just such a learning programme can be achieved.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Selection of such learners will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the CUT. A functional system for RPL is in place at the CUT.

RPL applications for the Institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The candidates are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology for assessment. The faculty's RPL committee assesses the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes and decide on admission to the programme.

Entry Requirements

• A National Diploma in either Civil Engineering (or Engineering Technology in Civil) or Management (both at NQF Level 6).

Or

A Diploma in either Civil Engineering (or Engineering Technology in Civil) or Management (both at NQF Level 6).

Or

• Relevant sufficient experience in the logistics and transportation sector plus any qualification at NQF Level 6.

The qualification consists of seven compulsory modules with two electives at NQF Level 7 totalling 132 Credits

• Introduction to Research and Research Project, 12 Credits.
• Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Business Logistics and Management, 24 Credits.
• Transportation Economics, 12 Credits.
• Inventory Management, 12 Credits.
• Transportation Planning, 18 Credits.
• Freight Planning and Management, 18 Credits.

Electives (Select two)

• Infrastructure planning, 12 Credits.
• Traffic Planning and Management, 12 Credits.
• Transportation and Highway Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Urban and Regional Planning, 12 Credits.
• Rail Transportation, 12 Credits.
• Local transportation, 12 Credits.
• Quantitative Techniques and Optimisation, 12 Credits.

1. Apply acquired knowledge on transportation economics, engineering, infrastructure developments; transportation logistics and management principles that include global trends and strategies.
2. Apply principles and models of management to various activities related to Logistics and Transportation and manage various functions related to Logistics and Transportation management in general.
3. Identify, analyse and critically reflect on logistics and transportation projects and prepare project proposals for transportation matters.
4. Interpret and apply the relevant legislative framework correctly and make independent, sustainable decisions or judgments based on the relevant technical, economic, social and environmental conditions and resources.
5. Work independently and efficiently as a team member and also as a team leader.
6. The ability to generate, compile and manage reliable data on transportation for research and/or project formulation purposes and effectively communicate both orally and in the written form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Principles of transportation economics; engineering, infrastructural developments and management in a logistics and transportation environment are identified.
• Principles of transportation economics; engineering, infrastructural developments and management of new and critical situations in a transportation environment are applied.
• Knowledge of management models and techniques and apply these appropriately is demonstrated.
• Current global trends and strategies of managing transportation and its logistics are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The inventory of a local road/rail transportation system is managed.
• Regional and public local road/rail transportation systems are managed.
• National road/rail transportation system is managed.
• Freight planning is conducted and managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Logistics and transportation projects are identified.
• Logistics and transportation projects are analysed.
• Logistics and transportation projects critically reflected on.
• Transportation business proposal is prepared.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Relevant policies, guidelines and procedures governing logistics and transportation management at all levels of government are identified and correctly interpreted.
• Decisions based on the analysis of economic, social and environmental conditions and resources are made.
• Practices and solutions that strive towards sustainability are provided.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Contribute individually to a transportation team project.
• Lead a team to the successful completion of a transportation project.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Reliable data on transportation is generated.
• Reliable data on transportation is compiled.
• Reliable data on transportation is managed.
• Reports, content or data and convert into reports including graphic representations are interpreted and evaluated.
• Written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills with stakeholders in the logistics and transportation sector are demonstrated.
• Entrepreneurial skills in the transportation sector are developed and viable entrepreneurial ideas are generated.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be regulated by the institutional assessment policy, the Student Assessment Manual. A variety of assessment strategies will be used in the programme that consists of formative and summative assessment. Through these two types of assessment practical, foundational and reflexive competence will be assessed. Formative assessment includes Class test, Main Test, Assignment and a Project. Summative assessment is Examination.