Higher Certificate in Maritime Studies

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Maritime Studies equips learners with essential business skills and specialised knowledge in the maritime field. The qualification meets the entry-level requirements of the Maritime field through the provision of conceptual and procedural knowledge, core abilities, competencies and skills. Learners will be competent in using a variety of management, technical, and practical skills in the routine shore-based operations, work activities and processes of a maritime business or organisation.

The qualification prepares learners to work in the Maritime industry both regionally, nationally and internationally. Also, the qualification emphasises professionalism, leadership and management to lays a solid foundation for future career advancement in the maritime industry.

Rationale

South Africa is a maritime country endowed with just of over 3200km of a coastline on which sits eight commercial ports, and some 1.6-million square kilometres of an Exclusive Economic Zone spread over three oceans from the Atlantic in the west, the Southern Ocean in the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. The South African Government promotes the ocean's economy and the potential that lies within South Africa's coastal line through a fast track delivery program called Operation Phakisa.

By 2033, the Ocean's economy must create an additional 1 million jobs for the South African economy. Further indirect employment opportunities and the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities in the leisure, hospitality, manufacturing and related service industries. Some of the initiatives that the national government embarked on are:

• The dugout Port South of Durban; the expansion and infrastructure developments at existing commercial ports in South Africa,
• Port and allied shored based developments in Port Elizabeth and the strengthening of the Durban to Gauteng Freight Corridor,

This qualification supports the continued economic success of the ports and related shore-based operations by contributing to the development of an educated workforce to ensure efficient operations and productivity. By offering the Higher Certificate in Maritime Studies will broaden access to tertiary education since the minimum admission requirements for the Diploma are lower than those applying for qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A panel consisting of academic experts from the relevant department and other academics and managers from the institution reviews the RPL application. The panel will consider formal academic qualifications, work experience, relevant professional certifications, and membership of professional bodies.

The RPL panel will consider applications for

• Admission to a qualification.
• The awarding of credit exemption for a specific discrete module within the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

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

Or

National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5, totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 128 Credits

• Information Systems for the Maritime Industry, 8 Credits.
• Professional Communication, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Financial Management, 12 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Shipping Business, 24 Credits.
• Maritime Law and Insurance, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Shipping, 16 Credits.
• Maritime Economics and Trade, 20 Credits.
• Maritime Health and Safety Management, 8 Credits.

1. Apply basic knowledge of finance, economics, health, ethics and law to complete business activities and functions in the maritime industry.
2. Apply knowledge of business shipping and essential logistical consideration to support management, administration and decision making in the maritime industry.
3. Communicate effectively, using various modes of accessing and communicating information in order to promote the Maritime Industry in a dynamic business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the main areas within the business environment, including an understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles and theories applicable to the maritime industry.
• Use maritime knowledge and skills to effectively support the completion of economics and logistics decisions of managers/supervisions.
• Discuss the financial management policies, systems and procedures.
• Explain National and International Legal and ethics policies, systems and procedures.
• Discuss maritime insurance provisions.
• Explain health and safety policies, plans, procedures and challenges.
• Identify entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Describe the basic development of entrepreneurial plans.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain the types of shipping business entities.
• Discuss the elements of the shipping business sectors and the role of each practitioner/stakeholder.
• Explain the application of business ethics in the maritime industry.
• Explain commercial geography.
• Describe trade routes.
• Explain the transport modes.
• Explain route selection and planning.
• Explain the elements of contract law applicable to the maritime industry.
• Explain the provisions of contract law that apply to the maritime industry.
• Explain the key concepts and mechanisms of international trade and finance.
• Explain the origin and structure of the various shipping organisations.
• Explain the structure of and inter-relationships within the maritime business sector.
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of individuals within maritime business organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use a variety of communication technologies to communicate effectively with maritime stakeholders.
• Use appropriate style and language to communicate coherently and concisely with stakeholders in the maritime business environment.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills to work effectively as part of a team to achieve a common outcome.
• Apply appropriate communication skills to interact with culturally diverse colleagues and customers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of marketing and social media.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment methods will be used in the qualification using a range of assessment methods and approaches. Necessary research assignments will be completed in some modules. These assignments will draw on the knowledge and skills covered across many subject areas.

Each assessment may be group work or individual work, and may take the following form

• Written tests (individual).
• Written assignments.
• Practical assignments.
• Presentations.
• Tutorial work (group or individual).
• Discussions.
• Demonstrations.
• Field trip reports.
• Examinations.