Diploma in Logistics

Purpose

The Diploma in Logistics equips learners with the expertise necessary to assume responsibility for the effective and efficient planning, organising, implementation and control of the logistics activities that provide products and services of the right quality to users within the supply chain at optimum cost.

This requires a sound understanding of the general theoretical principles, and their applications, in the field and subfields of logistics, the supply chain and materials management. Therefore, learners will develop the requisite analytical and problem-solving skills and competencies necessary to function as a mid-level logistician responsible for functions such as acquisitions and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, transportation as well as managing the supply chain, among others.

The qualification focuses on the development, evaluation and implementation of logistics and supply chain principles. Learners will develop intellectual competencies and practical skills in a range of decisions implicit in planning and implementing challenges in the logistics, materials and supply chain environment.

Upon successful completion of this qualification, the learner will have the fundamental knowledge on how logistics can contribute to value creation in the supply chain environment. The learner will be able to make informed decisions about helping such an establishment to create a competitive infrastructure as well as synchronising supply and demand.

Learners who are working in the field can benefit from this qualification by acquiring theoretical insights into what they already do daily.

Rationale

The qualification equips learners with knowledge and skills to plan, control and coordinate the logistics, transportation and supply chain activities of organisations, be it local, national and international. Learners can deliver on the required products in sustainable quantities, in good order, to the right customer, at the appropriate time and price. Without properly trained personnel to manage logistics, materials and the supply chain, trade is severely disrupted and may even come to a complete standstill.

In today's organisational environment special attention needs to be paid to the effective management and coordination of all the logistical functions of an enterprise in order to ensure that the supply chain functions effectively across a wide range of activities, from acquisitions to receiving, from allocation of resources to handling, storage and control, transport, and a whole range of operations in between. It implies that role-players are working together effectively and that waste and additional costs are managed efficiently.

The Diploma in Logistics provides access to multiple career opportunities, including positions such as operations managers, logistics analysts, and purchasing agents. Planners are responsible for assembling and analysing relevant data to minimise problems in the supply chain, and they make recommendations to support optimal management of a supply chain. Buyers, on the other hand, identify sources of supply, evaluate and select suppliers, negotiate contracts and manage relationships with suppliers. Inventory specialists are responsible for the quality and accuracy of the inventory; they monitor inventory flow and optimise workflow and labour productivity in distribution facilities. Other positions include inventory controller, stores and operations manager, materials planner, transportation coordinator, traffic analyst and production coordinator, to name but a few.

At this institution, learners first encounter this field of study as an entry-level module 'Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management BLG1002', which forms part of the Higher Certificate in Business Studies. The higher certificate gives successful learners direct access to the Diploma in Logistics.

Learners who complete the Higher Certificate in Business Studies may articulate vertically to the Diploma in Logistics, and from there to the Advanced Diploma with a specialisation stream in Logistics Management. From the Advanced Diploma, learners who meet specific requirements may articulate horizontally to the Bachelor of Commerce in Logistics and Transport Economics, then to the Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies, and from there the Master of Commerce in Logistics (Research) and after that the Doctor of Philosophy in Logistics.

Every organisation, be it governmental, business, for-profit - non-profit, retail or wholesale, has a supply chain and this is an area where there are multiple opportunities for employment. Goods needed are manufactured, raw materials procured, products stored and dispatched accounts paid. Internationally imports and exports play a major role in the world and goods need to be insured and transported by air, by sea and by road. These functions require knowledgeable and skilled employees to manage such processes to ensure "perfect-order" deliveries, customer responsiveness and cost-efficiency, all of which are key competitive priorities generating multiple opportunities for employment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences has an approved RPL policy based on the institutional RPL policy, by which each RPL applicant will be assessed on an individual basis.

The purpose of RPL

There is a need to recognise and accredit prior learning wherever it may have occurred rather than using the limiting conceptualisation of the past, namely that learning can only take place in formal contexts. By using RPL, the institution can contribute to attempts to redress inequities in the distribution of learning opportunities and to promote lifelong learning through widening access to adult learners. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has become an internationally accepted practice in higher education institutions and aims to increase access to higher education for many people for whom this was previously not possible.

RPL is an access mechanism in which the previous learning and experience of an applicant who has acquired through formal, non-formal and informal means. This prior learning is systematically evaluated against the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria for a prerequisite prior qualification, a different type of higher education qualification or a specific module. The learning that meets the requirements is recognised for purposes of granting the necessary status to be admitted to a qualification, to articulate into another type of higher education qualification or to be awarded credit for or be exempted from a module in a qualification. RPL evaluation may include assessment of knowledge, competencies and skills, on-the-job experience and life experience and should demonstrate an appropriate balance between theory and practical application.

The procedural steps involved in applying RPL

Each RPL applicant will be assessed on an individual basis. First, the applicant approaches the HOD of the relevant academic department regarding the NMU and Faculty RPL policy and application process. The relevant academic department will screen the candidate's request and advise if the RPL process is an option.

The RPL assessment process

The Head of Department, in consultation with the Programme Leader, will nominate a suitably qualified candidate who has completed assessor training to act as assessor and submit the nomination for ratification to the FMC.

The approved assessor then meets with the applicant to explain the RPL process, and how to collect and present the evidence required. RPL assessment is conducted by appropriately qualified academic experts in the academic department/faculty concerned, drawing on the expertise of professional support staff as and when required.

The assessment is conducted against specific Associated Assessment Criteria in a fair, transparent and supportive way to provide RPL applicants with a reasonable chance of succeeding in their application. RPL candidates are formally assessed, the assessment is moderated and the full records are maintained for quality assurance purposes. Credit is awarded for competence (demonstrated learning outcomes) only, not for experience. RPL can be granted only against Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 144 Credits

• Introduction to Marketing, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Microeconomics, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Macroeconomics, 12 Credits.
• End-user Computing, 12 Credits.
• Business Accounting, 12 Credits.
• Communication in English A, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Logistics, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Tourism, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law: General Principles of Contract, 12 Credits.
• Commercial Law: Specific Contracts, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 216 Credits

• Purchasing Management II, 24 Credits.
• Warehouse Management II, 24 Credits.
• Logistics II, 24 Credits.
• Business Management II, 24 Credits.
• Purchasing Management III, 30 Credits.
• Logistics III, 30 Credits.
• Operations Management, 30 Credits.
• Business Management III, 30 Credits.

1. Explain and contextualise relevant logistics and logistics-related concepts and principles.
2. Trace the origins of logistics, materials distribution and supply chain management and highlight the impact of significant historical events on modern-day logistics.
3. Explain the important role that logistics plays in the world of business and industry, and the need for regulatory mechanisms on both macro- and micro-level.
4. Based on case studies, identify and discuss the importance of ethical decision-making across the spectrum of logistics-related activities.
5. Undertake investigations in the logistics field, including gathering, interpreting and presenting relevant information with a view to problem analyses and problem-solving.
6. Investigate and compare conflicting theoretical points of view as they pertain to the management of the supply chain.
7. Select relevant models and methods for approaching a given logistical problem.
8. Utilise the management techniques appropriate to the logistics management environment.
9. Organise and coordinate relevant resources in the logistics management field.
10. Identify and apply appropriate logistics, supply chain and business management information systems to effectively manage and execute tasks.
11. Distinguish between the relationships and impact of the many different subfields of interest within the field of logistics and transportation management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Contextualise and explain relevant logistics, and logistics-related concepts and principles are accurately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Trace and highlight the historical origins of logistics, materials distribution and supply chain management and the impact of significant events on modern-day logistics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Outline and exemplify the significant role that logistics and logistics-related activities play in the world of business and industry, together with necessary regulatory mechanisms.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify, describe and evaluate specific instances of ethical decision-making across the spectrum of logistics-related activities are.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Launch investigations into specific logistics-related cases to collect, interpret and present relevant information with a view to problem-analysis and problem to solve.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Investigate, analyse and compare theoretical points of view to identify and resolve inefficiencies in the management of supply chains.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Select relevant models and methods to analyse and resolve given logistics-related problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Utilise management techniques appropriate to the logistics management environment in the planning and execution of investigations and assignments in the field of logistics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Identify, organise, coordinate and apply relevant resources in the logistics management field in the execution of specific tasks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Identify and apply appropriate logistics, supply chain and business management information systems are to manage and execute tasks effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Distinguish the relationships and impact of the many different subfields of interest within the field of logistics and transportation management.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment includes continual evaluation of mastery of theoretical/academic components of learning by way of progress checks based on case studies, projects, seminars, investigations, presentations, computer models, assignments and examinations.

Innovative learning, teaching and formative assessment techniques include case studies, simulations, lab-based activities and interactive games.

The qualification is coherently aligned in that all teaching, learning and assessment activities are linked to module and qualification outcomes. Assessment methods are varied and include both formative and summative assessment activities to enhance applied competence by learners and to facilitate authentic, integrated assessment and learning. Assessment is used to determine whether outcomes have been achieved, and also to generate data for grading and feedback to improve delivery as well as the curriculum.