Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management is to provide learners with the competencies required to engage in the processes and inter-relationships across the supply chain so as to create sustainable value for organisations. This qualification is aimed at overcoming the traditional functional approach to operations and management, and at fostering supply chain integration to the advantage of all stakeholders.

The Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management is an undergraduate qualification that offers a combination of theory and practice in the area of supply chain management. The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with a sound fundamental knowledge base and skills regarding supply chain management. The qualification is aimed at equipping first-line managers with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil their management role within the supply chain.

This includes the disciplines of warehousing, transport, inventory, materials management and purchasing.

The qualification has relevance for learners who engage in processes across the supply chain so as to create sustainable value for organisations.

Rationale

The Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management

• Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
• Empowers learners with knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to function and engage in the processes and inter-relationships across the supply chain.
• Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.
• Meets the needs of learners in a variety of positions in both the private and public sector.

Supply chain management seeks to integrate the whole chain of organisations (all suppliers and customers) and processes that contribute to ultimate customer value. Supply chain management is a systems approach to managing the entire flow of information, materials and services from the suppliers' supplier to the customers' customer.

Supply chain thinking is a management philosophy aimed at integrating upstream linkages (supply sources), internal linkages inside the organisation and downstream linkages (distribution and ultimate customers) in order to create customer value.

Supply chain management as a concept and approach to increasing customer value has taken root in most organisations and has evolved from the more traditional concepts of purchasing management, materials management, logistics and physical distribution.

Supply chain management has emerged as a multi-disciplinary body of knowledge aimed at assisting the management of organisations to deal with phenomena such as globalisation, time-based competition, the customer service explosion and rapid technological development.

The Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management will provide a sound basis in the principles and practice of supply chain management. The qualification is directed at persons employed in organisations who have practical knowledge of aspects of supply chain management and who may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education qualifications.

The qualification may also be accessed by school leavers who intend pursuing careers in the sub-disciplinary areas of supply chain management. The target groups for this qualification are people working within operational to middle management positions within the various processes of the supply chain or those who are aspiring for such positions.

The demand for this qualification directly links to the need to

• Equipping current and aspirant supply chain practitioners to understand the changing supply chain management environment.
• Enabling current and aspirant supply chain practitioners to improve their effectiveness within the supply chain.
• Managing and developing sustainable supplier relationships.
• Measuring and improving supply chain performance.

This qualification has therefore been designed to address these demands as well as support the competencies required in the key areas of supply chain management that have been identified within the following areas:

• Purchasing and Supply.
• Distribution.
• Materials Management.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification it is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of the entrants primarily by means of an examination of their Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Such candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/companies.

Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating 'applicants include:

• The applicants' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies.
• Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out, possibly supplying references.
• The nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
• Details of in-company short courses, length and content of material covered, standard achieved.
• The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.
• The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the qualification.

Where prior learning is recognised for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African Higher Education institutions. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the qualification leads.

Credits may only be accumulated for modules, which are prescribed within the structure of a named award.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• National Senior Certificate granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

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

Or

• A Further Education and Training Certificate.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Management Principles, 20 Credits.
• Principles of Economics, 20 Credits.
• An Overview of Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
• Supply Issues in Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
• Operations Issues in Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
• Distribution Issues in Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the supply chain management environment within an organisation.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the influence of performance and risk within a supply chain management environment.
• Contribute to the development of a supply chain strategy for an organisation.
• Contribute to operational plans for supply chain management.
• Implement elements of a supply chain strategy.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

• Apply theory and principles in a work-based context.
• Utilise appropriate technology in various communication modes.
• Demonstrate knowledge of supply chain management concepts.
• Display research skills in solving work related problems.
• Communicate acquired knowledge.
• Demonstrate an understanding of economic issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to propose solutions to problems.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through the programme modules.

Types of Assessments

Formative assessment

• The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and learners are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited number of outcomes.

Summative assessment

• Examinations or equivalent assessment such as a research essay or portfolio is used to determine a representative selection of the outcomes practiced.

Assessment centres on

• The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of project management.
• The application of multidisciplinary theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
• The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through the modules.

These assessment methods include

• Written examination.
• Case studies.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self-assessment activities in the course material.