Advanced Diploma in Quality

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Quality is to develop engineering management professionals who can plan, coordinate, design, implement and control the quality function in manufacturing and service organisations in order to increase productivity, optimise resources, decrease waste, and improve product quality. The qualification has research available in the areas of, quality assurance, six sigma, lean manufacturing, project management, reliability and risk management. While quality indeed includes these principles, it also includes, for example, management systems and continuous improvement, risk management, customer satisfaction and market focus, quality circles, teamwork and the well-being of employees.

The Advanced Diploma in Quality qualification focuses mainly on the understanding of various quality management systems (i.e. ISO 9000, 14001, 17025 and guidelines in 19011 and 31000) and the use of quality management tools, techniques, methodologies and principles and is therefore industry broad-based in its application.

A further purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with conceptual understanding as well as the necessary techniques, skills, and tools used in the quality and engineering management environment in modern industries. The purpose of the qualification is to ensure that such learners are able to take responsibility for products or services that are delivered by the industry as knowledgeable and highly skilled engineering and quality managers.

Rationale

The National Development Plan (NDP) illustrates that economic growth of the country depends on the availability of highly skilled personnel at all levels. In the light of this call, the Advanced Diploma in Quality, provides articulation for development of cumulative knowledge in the field of Quality. Quality Practitioners as a profession is listed in the Government Gazette no. 37678 of 23 May 2014 for the 'National Scarce Skills List: Top 100 Occupations in Demand' in South Africa. Thus, due to the scope, ability and impact that Quality Practitioners make in the world of work, they are sought after by all industries in the production and service sectors.

Quality systems, tools, principles and methodologies is facing a new and exciting future in the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole. It will move away from the hands of the quality specialists to the public domain of operators, managers, entrepreneurs and educators. As traditional trade barriers fall, they are replaced by internationally recognised quality systems such as ISO 9000 certification and Environmental Management Systems (EMS). As a result, quality becomes not only a business imperative but an essential life skill that is as fundamental to the success of individuals and companies.

This qualification offers an intensive, focused and applied specialisation, which meets the need of a specific niche in the labour market. This qualification is suitable for a continuing professional development through the inculcation of a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the area of quality, risk and environmental management and systems.

Engineering Management is considered to be a sub-discipline of industrial and systems engineering. Successful engineering managers typically require training and experience in business and engineering. Engineering Management is a specialised form of management that is concerned with the application of engineering principles to business practice. Engineering Management is a career that brings together the technological problem-solving understanding of engineering and the organisational, administrative, and planning abilities of management in order to oversee complex enterprises from conception to completion.

Quality is considered as a sub-discipline to the Engineering Management study field. In business, engineering and manufacturing quality is generally defined as fitness for purpose. Quality ensures that an organisation, product or service is consistent. It is underpinned by four components: quality improvement, quality assurance, quality control and quality management. A quality systems documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities in order to achieving quality objectives.

This qualification is intended for middle managers within an engineering management in quality environment. Learners will be competent in applying quality management strategies and tools, systems and techniques in the manufacturing and service environment in order to optimise the resource usage in a company to benefit the bottom line. He/she will be eligible to operate as a Professional Technician, after a prescribed number of years as a practitioner in this field, subject to meeting workplace requirements. This qualification therefore aims to give learners a sound knowledge and skills base to be successful owners and senior quality manager of production management, services managers and planning managers, supply chain and logistics managers and completing their postgraduate qualification.

Manufacturing industries in South Africa play an important role in the South African economy as it employs a large percentage of the labour force. Job opportunities, therefore, are great in this sector. Within the manufacturing sector, the greater portion of the workers is engaged in the Production Function which includes specialist fields such as Quality Control, Production Planning and Control, Inventory Control, Quality Assurance, etc. This Advanced Diploma prepares learners to enter any of the specialist fields in production or to go directly into supervision of workers and later as Quality Managers.

For learners with a Diploma in Engineering and Science, Baccalaureate Degrees in Technology, Engineering Technology, or Engineering, the qualification will provide education in quality and engineering management systems. For learners with the required technical Degrees, the qualification will provide an excellent continuing education opportunity with progression into a Postgraduate Diploma, Master's Degree and Doctoral Degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with national policy frameworks and the institution's mission and vision, widening of access is promoted through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/ or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of learners and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Technology, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Motor Manufacturing and Technology, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Operations and Logistics Management, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor's in fields of study related to manufacturing and services industries such of Engineering, Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Technology, Motor Manufacturing and Technology, Operations and Logistics Management, Analytical Chemistry, NQF Level 7.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits

• Integrated Management Systems, 15 Credits.
• Statistical Quality Techniques, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics, 5 Credits.
• Quality Planning, 15 Credits.
• Lean Six Sigma, 15 Credits.
• Risk and Reliability Engineering, 15 Credits.
• Quality Auditing, 15 Credits.
• Integrated Quality Project, 25 Credits.

1. Analyse and evaluate the current and predicted international practices and trends in quality management.
2. Apply knowledge to analyse the latest trends and practices in engineering management and quality as well as the factors that impact on the manufacturing and services.
3. Manage the operational logistics relevant to the supply chain.
4. Conduct applied research on a complex problem in engineering management and present the research finding to relevant stakeholders.
5. Manage the financial function of an own manufacturing or services business or a chain of operations with regards to assuring and managing the quality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current international quality trends and practices.
• Understand and interpret applied with respect to the behaviour and needs of customers in various businesses that can be used to develop relevant quality and engineering management.
• Apply strategic quality principles on selected operations and services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate an understanding by analysing the current international trends, practices and environmental factors impacting quality management practices.
• Apply management practices to implement, control and manage a set of process within a manufacturing and service environment.
• Apply of quality management practices to assure the quality of manufactured products and services in different sectors.
• Apply sound decision-making processes in operations management process.
• Apply of management practices to implement business ethics in quality management.
• Apply management practices to implement e-business practices in an operation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Compile a strategic operations supply/value chain management qualification for manufacturing or services operations.
• Determine the right location for process or activity.
• Design the layout of operations DC and stock rooms and warehouses.
• Know and understand determine stock management systems for an operation DC, stock room and warehouses that will ensure efficient administrative control of stock levels.
• Determine an efficient system to manage the physical movement, handling, stacking and flow of stock from supplier to the customer.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and describe researchable problems or topics relevant to the study field of engineering management in quality.
• Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of research skills relevant to the study field of engineering management in quality.
• Plan, conduct and write a basic literature review for a research problem or topic in the study field.
• Plan and conduct relevant basic empirical research techniques on research problem or topic in the study field.
• Analyse and interpret basic research data of a research problem or topic in the study field of operations management.
• Write an integrated research report in such a way that it correctly reflects the outcome of the research findings with recommendations according to correct academic writing criteria.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Plan and control that the business has sufficient working capital.
• Determine the financial viability (feasibility) as an owner or quality manager when evaluating new business opportunities, new product or service offerings or the opening of a new branch.
• Know, understand and apply all costing principles in an operation (Cost of quality).
• Know, understand and determine the financial performance of an operation and to implement a management system.
• Know, understand how to ensure that the business is adequately audited per year.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment practices will be fair, reliable and valid. It will also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing the learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. In this qualification, it will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving in individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, class discussions and reports.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing the learners' attainment against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination.

In this qualification, it will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

Integrated assessment cuts across a number of subjects/modules of a qualification and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to their personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence.

Integrated assessment in this qualification will assessed by means of research project report.