Diploma in Logistics Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide practical and theoretical education to develop the competencies (knowledge and skills) needed in logistics management. The programme is relevant and responsive to the development needs of society.

Successful learners who have achieved this qualification will be able to

• Provide, assemble and document Export/Import transactions.
• Apply SARS/Customs Regulations and RSA Reserve Bank Regulations concerning import and export.
• Apply the law of Contract of Purchase, Carriage, Payment, and Insurance to an international transaction.
• Apply the principles of logistics and transportation to facilitate better facility location, easier movement of freight, efficient storage of goods in the warehouse, effective inventory management and increased production and sales.
• Take advantage of inter-modal freight facilities in the movement of freight to minimise total cost of logistics and transportation.
• Consolidate freight in a cross-docking facility.
• Manage the in-bound and out-bound logistics for a small to medium organization.

Career Opportunities for successful learners exist in the following areas

• Road Transport operations - national and international.
• Municipal Transport.
• In-house transport management for organisations.
• Logistics service provision.
• Warehousing and distribution.
• Supply chain management.
• Clearing and forwarding.
• Export and import trading.
• Inventory control and procurement.
• Manufacturing.

Rationale

The demand for junior management level employees in Transport and Supply Chain Management has been increasing due to the economic growth South Africa has been experiencing. This growth has been characterised by an increase in production capacities in import and export trade and in the volumes of freight leading to higher demand for qualified personnel in the fields of Transport and Supply Chain Management. Despite the current world-wide economic downturn, the prospect for future economic growth in South Africa is very promising.

For organisations to remain competitive, they require the services of competent Transportation and Logistics managers to handle the Supply Chain and Transportation aspect of business. Transport and Logistics cost may account for between twenty to eighty percent of the cost of a product depending of the type of industry; therefore organisations require efficient management of the transport and the supply chain aspect of their operations.

This qualification offers learners hands-on experience during their training in the form of work-integrated learning, before they enter the job market.

The qualification will widen access to tertiary education in the field of Transport and Supply Chain Management.

Learners who wish to register for this qualification are assumed to

• Be competent in Mathematical Literacy as well as the language of Teaching and Learning of the institution, at NQF Level 4.
• Be able to work independently and as part of teams.

Recognition of prior learning

In accordance to the Policy and Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of the University, Recognition of Prior Learning is regarded as one of the critical mechanisms for achieving redress and equity and accelerating access.

This policy and set of procedures can be used for the following purposes

• Transfer of credits from one institution to another institution.
• Admission to a learning programme where the minimum requirements have not been met (excluding mature age exemption category of exemption for admission to undergraduate programmes), and the candidate feels that the requirements can be met through Recognition of Prior Learning.
• Admission to learning programmes with advanced standing or "Fast-tracking".

A person seeking Recognition of Prior Learning will be required to do an assessment that recognises broadly equivalent skills and knowledge as reflected holistically in the outcomes of the learning programme.

Procedures for the transfer of credits from another institution of higher education are as follows

• The candidate applying for Recognition of Prior Learning makes application to the Registrar's office in writing using the prescribed form.
• The candidate pays the required administrative fee.
• The Registrar's office informs the Departments HOD in which such credits will be awarded.
• The request for transfer of credits is presented to the relevant faculty for approval.
• Upon approval, the application if forwarded to Senate for final approval.
• The mark for modules transferred will be recorded in the student record as 50%.

This Qualification can be achieved in part by Recognition of Prior Learning. Learners submitting themselves for Recognition of Prior Learning should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based Qualification, evidence from other areas of endeavour may be introduced if pertinent to any of the exit level outcomes.

Access to the Qualification

The minimum admission requirement is

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognized National Senior Certificate 20 Credit subjects or an equivalent qualification.
• The score in Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy and English Language at National Senior Certificate level must be an achievement rating of 4 or better (Adequate Achievement, 50-59%) or an equivalent grade.

Learners may also be granted access by means of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure of the University of Zululand. This policy and set of procedures can be used for the following purposes:

• Transfer of credits from one institution to another institution.

Or

• Admission to a learning programme where the minimum requirements have not been met (excluding mature age exemption category of exemption for admission to undergraduate programmes), and the candidate feels that the requirements can be met through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Or

• A person seeking Recognition of Prior Learning will be required to do an assessment that recognises broadly equivalent skills and knowledge as reflected holistically in the outcomes of the learning programme.

The Diploma: Transport Management is made up of a planned combination of learning outcomes that will enable the learner to develop a variety of skills essential for employment in Transport and Supply Chain Management.

This Qualification is made up of a combination of Learning Offerings classified as Fundamental and Core.

The Fundamental Component totalling 160 Credits consists of

• 5 modules at NQF Level 5.
• 5 modules at NQF Level 6.

The Core Component totalling 224 Credits consists of

• 2 modules at NQF Level 5.
• 8 modules at NQF Level 6.
• 4 modules at NQF Level 7.

A combination of the Fundamental and Core Components gives 384 Credits at the following NQF Levels

• NQF Level 5, 112 Credits.
• NQF Level 6, 208 Credits.
• NQF Level 7, 64 Credits.

All components are compulsory.

1. Apply sound management principles and theories in transport and supply chain management to choose the appropriate transport mode option for optimal minimum (total) cost for moving and storing goods.
2. Prepare and implement a strategic logistics plan for a transport and logistics company.
3. Apply routing and scheduling principles appropriate for a small transport organisation.
4. Select a location, set up, manage and operate a warehouse distribution centre and control the in-bound and out-bound supply chain system of a small organization.
5. Apply project management skills to evaluate "just in time" in-bound logistics needs of a manufacturing company.
6. Apply the necessary Regulations and contracts relating to sales, carriage, payment and insurance to the import and export trade.
7. Assess the needs for outsourcing and third party logistics (3PL) in modern logistics operations.
8. Analyse logistics operations data, draw conclusions and implement decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 1

• Modes of transportation are listed and their advantages and disadvantages are outlined.
• Transport route maps and constraints are gathered, analysed and appropriate routing and scheduling procedures are followed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 2

• Strategic logistics plans are prepared and implemented for a small to medium logistics company.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 3

• Transport route maps and constraints are gathered, analysed and appropriate routing and scheduling procedures are followed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 4

• Warehousing operational needs are analysed, data is gathered and the best facility location is calculated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 5

• "Just in time" in-bound logistics needs are assessed for an organisation and inputs supplied in sequence, just in time.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 6

• Import and export trade is analysed using flow charts to show the flow of documents from contracts of sale, carriage, payment, and insurance between the importer and exporter.
• Transport operations data is gathered, analysed, conclusions drawn, recommendations drawn up and electronic presentations made.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 7

• Third party logistics and outsourcing in modern logistics operations are analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 8

• Logistics operations data is gathered, analysed, conclusions drawn and electronic presentations made.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative assessment practices will be implemented. Formative assessment will be mainly by formal and informal class tests, module or semester tests (where applicable). Summative assessment practices will be implemented throughout the duration of the module to assess the achievement of outcomes. Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the Exit-Level-Outcomes, will be done where applicable by written examinations, individual assignments and project/reports.