Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management is to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire skills required to perform elementary functions in the Supply Chain Management sector. The qualification allows learners to grasp fundamental knowledge in the workings of various software packages and the commercial environment and select supply chain software packages.

Qualifying learners will be able to

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

This qualification will contribute to the full development of the learner within the supply chain management environment by providing recognition and further mobility within the field. The qualification supports the philosophy of life-long learning because learners will be able to increase their access to employment since this qualification also caters for individuals who are employed but lack the certification to perform efficiently or to be promoted. The skills, value attributes, and knowledge reflected in this qualification are building blocks that will prepare learners for progression along the learning ladder.

Rationale

The current skills deficit across all sectors means that there is a premium placed on staff that is qualified and able to perform across the key areas of management and administration. The current skills shortage also requires that employees be equipped with skills and knowledge that are key to the transformation of the South African economy and that they can contribute to the positive performance of their employers. Furthermore, there is a need for entry-level qualifications, which are vocationally, and industry focussed. The qualification has been designed to address the skills shortage.

Statistics from the National List of Occupations in High Demand (2018) reflect a need for skilled supply chain management practitioners, administrators, and managers. The need for supply and distribution management specialists is particularly acute since they are vital for the business or organisation to function effectively due to the demanding environment in which businesses operate within, both in South Africa and globally. 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 were identified within the greater industry.

This qualification offers introductory knowledge in the areas of general business administration, supply chain management, economics, operations management and computer skills within a business environment and prepares learners for a range of entry-level professional positions in supply management. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this qualification are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth within the business sector. The learners are trained to assist management with various administrative duties.

Learners will be able to obtain employment in a range of entry-level supply chain management and administration such as

• Logistics, operations management, and data capture.
• Supply chain Management clerical.
• Procurement/Purchasing Practitioner.
• General office administrators.

The qualification is highly relevant and required in today`s business world as it focuses on what is current and in demand, thus making a positive contribution to the South African economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

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

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,128 Credits

• Supply Chain Management , 28 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management Practice, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Operations Management, 16 Credits.
• Economics, 16 Credits.
• Business Communication, 16 Credits.
• Business Management Fundamentals, 16 Credits.
• End User Computing, 20 Credits.

1. Apply the different methods of communication in a business environment to ensure effective supply chain management practices.
2. Examine and apply economic policies, systems, and processes to inform and support the attainment of business goals and plans within the local and global work environment.
3. Demonstrate an informed knowledge of key terms, theories, concepts, approaches, and techniques related to supply chain management.
4. Apply the theories, concepts, approaches, and techniques related to operations management and how this impacts supply chain management planning and decision making.
5. Apply sound financial and business management concepts, the key business functions, principles and methodologies to decision making within the supply chain and logistics management.
6. Demonstrate the use of information systems and technical knowledge to support the completion of business processes for supply chain management and to understand the role of software, hardware, and equipment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply the principles of effective communication and reflect on the application made.
• Identify and apply different types of communication media.
• Discuss the importance of effectiveness and accuracy in written and oral communication.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with different stakeholders in the supply chain environment.
• Apply skills such as tolerance, listening skills and empathy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Analyse and apply basic principles of economics and the basic model of the economy.
• Explain the impact of businesses and organizations on the economy.
• Discuss the impact of supply and demand on changes in the economy.
• Evaluate the impact of price, income, and input productivity on a company.
• Discuss the differences between a perfect and imperfect competitive environment for price and output determination.
• Analyse the dynamics of macro-economics and the implications of business cycles.
• Identify and describe the key economic challenges in South Africa.
• Discuss exchange rate determination in the foreign exchange market.
• Assess the impact of tariffs and protectionist policies on trade.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Discuss the challenges and critical issues in applying the principles and theories of supply chain management.
• Identify and discuss current and future supply chain management skills and challenges within national and international frameworks.
• Discuss the contribution of supply chain management in relation to the business impact and benefits to society and the economy.
• Describe, explain, and discuss various methods used to measure supply chain cost, service, profit, and revenue.
• Discuss transportation management strategies.
• Analyse and apply various types of supply chain modelling approaches and strategies.
• Explain, discuss, and apply relevant business systems within the logistics and supply chain environment.
• Identify, explain, discuss, and apply information systems and technology knowledge to logistics and supply chain processes and scenarios.
• Explore the importance of logistics channel strategy and network design.
• Discuss the importance of contract management in logistics and supply chain management activities.
• Analyse the role of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) in logistics and supply chain management.
• Evaluate and apply knowledge of South African governmental supply chain management systems and processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate and apply operations management and quality theories, models and approaches in a supply chain and logistics management environment.
• Analyse and apply knowledge of the determinants of effective capacity and identify the approaches useful for evaluating capacity alternatives.
• Plan, organise, lead and control the processes of operations, quality and production to ensure inputs transform into the required outputs within the business entity.
• Integrate and adapt operational and quality management practices to meet business requirements within the operations of the business entity.
• Identify quality problems in business and organizational processes.
• Develop solutions to solve quality problems in business and organizational processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Examine the elements and components of various organizational types and models.
• Analyse the organisational cultures, leadership and management styles.
• Discuss planning, leadership, organising, motivating and controlling as business activities and functions of managers.
• Apply basic principles of accounting to account for the enterprise's resources.
• Describe accounting documentation (ledgers, journals, source documents).
• Describe accounting and marketing legal requirements
• Describe the importance of financial information as a basis for decision making.
• Analyse purchasing services and policies influencing the efficiency of the supply chain management practices.
• Discuss personal selling and advertising principles.
• Analyse and apply basic marketing principles in supply chain management.
• Identify media liaison fundamentals and apply public relations skills.
• Describe the basic human resource legislation and regulations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explore and apply business information systems principles and decision-making frameworks to manage operational risks.
• Examine the use of business computing equipment and devices.
• Select and implement computer hardware and office software applications to complete business tasks.
• Use the supply chain management software in business contexts.
• Describe and demonstrate social media applications.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated Assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas, and actions across this qualification to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent with the purpose of this qualification. Integrated assessment will show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the Exit Level Outcomes.

Learners are provided with various assessment opportunities to develop and demonstrate attainment of the exit outcomes of this qualification. The assessment approaches include:

• Tests.
• Assignments.
• Practicals.
• Workbooks.
• Presentations.
• Examinations.
• Oral assessments.

The qualification will combine formative and summative approaches. Diagnostic assessment is also used to guide and support learners in both formal and informal settings.

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 a 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 practised.

Workplace-Based Learning (WIL)

WIL is divided into teaching and learning led laboratory assessments and workplace assessments. Work-Integrated Learning will take place at the institution's laboratories and in the workplace.

• Learners will undergo practical guided evaluations during which time they will perform tasks and will be given feedback.
• Remedial activities will be done where learners require additional support.
• Workbooks will be kept by learners for completion during practical assignments.