Diploma in Printing Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge and applied competencies in the fields of printing and management so as to ensure that the industry has adequately prepared mid-level managers for the efficient and effective functioning of a printing enterprise.

The qualification aims to provide the Printing, Newspaper and Packaging industry with learners who have specialised printing-specific knowledge, as well as multi-functional disciplinary knowledge. Learners will be conversant with printing and management theory and principles to apply managerial principles within the different functions of a printing enterprise. Learners will be able to apply principles of Management, Financial Management, Project Management and legal studies using various work-integrated learning modalities in order develop the skills, capabilities and techniques of printing managers to achieve the goals of an enterprise.

Modules in this qualification have been structured in a manner so as to enhance and broaden learner's knowledge and applied competencies in pre-press, printing, finishing and packaging and to facilitate the integration with the knowledge and skills in terms of estimating of costs and production planning. Qualifying learners will be able to further their studies and take up job opportunities in fields of study such as: production manager/planner/controller; estimating manager; factory manager/supervisor; print manager/supervisor.

Rationale

The Pulp, Paper, Print and Packaging Industry is a significant contributor to the South African economy with an annual turnover above 65 billion rands. The industry employs over 50 000 people in 3000 enterprises across the value chain from forestry all the way to print and paper-based distribution. This Industry has a history in South Africa dating back 227 years and has proven its sustainability in the face of adversity due to the resourceful nature of the people employed in this industry.

The exchange rate and the subsequent high cost of capital equipment limit the ability of this industry to compete in a global market. The Industry is also affected by the high costs associated with importing raw materials coupled with the threat of increased tariffs and duties.

The use of electronic communications as an alternative to print is also a threat to this industry. Given these circumstances, the need to develop suitably qualified managers who are able to effectively and efficiently respond to the needs of industry has been identified by the Printing Industries Federation of SA NPC (Printing SA) as a scarce skill. The academic department has engaged with stakeholders including Printing SA to determine the key competencies needed in this field of study during the curriculum review process.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of a learner against the admission requirements of the qualification and for credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of the learners and is handled by 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. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

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

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 228 Credits

• Printing Processes 1, 30 Credits.
• Estimating for Printers 1: Theory and Practical, 24 Credits.
• Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management, 24 Credits.
• Communication 1, 18, Credits.
• Business Law, 24 Credits.
• Business Computer Applications, 18 Credits.
• Industrial Relations and Labour Law, 18 Credits.
• Applied Statistical Methods, 24 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 132 Credits

• Printing Processes 2, 30 Credits.
• Production Planning and Estimating 2, 24 Credits.
• Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Printing Processes 3, 30 Credits.
• Management 3, 24 Credits.

1. Apply the principles and techniques of cost estimation from initiation to the completion of a printing project.
2. Apply principles and techniques of printing in a specialised context such as packaging, magazine and newspaper printing, book production and general printing.
3. Apply principles of management to systematically analyse and solve problems of individual, group and organisational behaviour.
4. Apply knowledge of financial principles to compile and interpret basic financial statements, use ratio analysis, calculate the cost of products, prepare budgets and make short term financial decisions.
5. Apply knowledge of Project Management in the planning of projects in the workplace.
6. Apply principles and theories of communication to interact on a professional level.
7. Integrate academic knowledge with work experience within formal and informal sectors.
8. Apply acquired technological skills effectively in the constantly changing work environment.
9. Manage legal requirements within a business.
10. Internalise a good work ethic and a sense of responsibility from a middle manager perspective.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 1

• Plan the production from the receipt of raw materials and artwork through pre-press and post-press production processes to finished product distribution.
• Assign costs using the defined production plan.
• Develop a production schedule for the efficient use of time on task to improve cost-effectiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop a thorough understanding, interpretation and differentiation between the types of communication mechanisms, print media and print production technologies, print quality and printing materials.
• Develop the production workflow of various Printing businesses by analysing the various management and business models.
• Produce products by differentiating and explaining the various printing processes.
• Distinguish and use various computers and computer programmes to different format technologies.
• Apply the various forms of print finishing formats, material logistics and data handling.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3

• Make innovative management decisions by applying various modern management tools and techniques.
• Solve management problems by applying quantitative, qualitative and critical thinking.
• Develop an effective strategic plan by displaying insight into current and future developments in the South African and global milieu.
• Be responsible and ethical leaders.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 4

• Draw up financial statements.
• Interpret financial statements using ratio analysis.
• Calculate the cost of the products.
• Prepare and manage budgets for short term projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 5

• Plan a project by creating a framework to use project management principles.
• Work in and with teams.
• Design appropriate organisational structures to support projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication in interpersonal as well as corporate contexts by communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Think and write analytically by applying academic writing principles in research writing.
• Apply appropriate oral presentation skills for delivery to groups.
• Produce persuasive spoken and written communication outputs that demonstrate an awareness of all key issues and nuances in a given situation, thereby contributing to problem-solving and exploring opportunities for a culture of successful communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 7

• Perform in the national and global economy as a competent management graduate.
• Embrace life -long learning.
• Display the necessary soft skills to be effective and efficient in the workplace.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 8

• Use technology to exploit opportunities and solve problems.
• Create and use electronic communication, files and folders on any computer device.
• Navigate network systems including cloud base computing; adding and retrieving of information from a cloud base system.
• Create, edit and enhance documents using the MS Word programme, PowerPoint and MS Excel.
• Create databases.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate the ability to conclude valid contracts.
• Recognise the various forms of breach of contract and their related remedies.
• Predict the impact of the relevant legislation on specific commercial contracts.
• Apply fair selection and recruitment procedures within the workplace following prescribed legislation and workplace policies.
• Manage employment relations within the workplace following prescribed legislation and workplace policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 10

• Be a strong role model for ethical behaviour by demonstrating consistent uncompromising adherence to sound ethical principles, and by
• Advocate and promote a culture of ethics, not only through personal example but also by means of implementing ethical processes within the organisation.
• Apply effective networking and negotiating skills in all interactions with stakeholders, such that the images of self and organisation are to the benefit of the organisation.

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 policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, student centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance learner engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learning and provide the learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. The formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. This qualification will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, and class discussions.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing the learner's attainment against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination. This qualification will consist of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examination conducted during and at the end of the academic year.

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

Integrated assessment in this qualification will take place in the third-year of study. The assessment of the learners will be holistically using project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.