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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117683  Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management 
ORIGINATOR
IMM Graduate School of Marketing (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Procurement 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifying learners with a complete and broad knowledge of supply chain management, as well as expose them to various business concepts and guide learners through the entry-level application of these concepts. Learners will gain competencies required to engage in the processes and inter-relationships across the supply chain to create sustainable value for organisations.

The qualification will also equip learners with a sound fundamental knowledge base and skills regarding supply chain management. The first-line managers will benefit from this qualification as they will acquire the knowledge and skills required to fulfil their management role within the supply chain. This qualification includes the disciplines of warehousing, transport, inventory, materials management, and purchasing.

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.

This qualification offers a combination of theory and practice in the area of supply chain management.

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

Rationale:
The qualification seeks to provide learners with a basic understanding of supply chain management as well as overall business management knowledge. This qualification will be useful to learners that are either in entry-level supply chain management positions or looking to upskill with primary supply chain management knowledge.

The qualification will contribute to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development by empowering learners with knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to function and engage in the processes and inter-relationships across the supply chain.

This qualification will cater to the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment and meet the needs of learners in a variety of positions in both the private and public sectors.

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. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution uses RPL only for access and will in the future develop its processes further to include RPL processes to part qualifications. Learners without the entry requirements for this qualification may apply for admission through RPL.

The institution will inform the prospective learner of documents required through the RPL representative. The representative will discuss the RPL process with the learner. The process culminates in the submission of a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).

An RPL Committee will evaluate the application form. It may suggest entry tests or access modules (Business Numeracy, Fundamentals of Business Communication, and Academic Literacy) to ensure the learner is fully prepared for the RPL process.

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 Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 totalling 135 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 135 Credits:
  • Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of International Trade, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Transport and Logistics, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Operations Management, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Business Management, 20 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Business Numeracy, 20 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an elementary understanding of literacy for academic writing, technology, numeracy, and communications.
    2. Display a complete but broad scope of knowledge in the field of Supply Chain and be able to link business activities to the functioning of organisations.
    3. Understand the systems within which organisations operate and be able to connect these to supply chain opportunities.
    4. Know the typical elementary methods and procedures involved in the supply chain.
    5. Know the theories typically applied in the field of business management.
    6. Solve the primary supply chain and business problems in organisations.
    7. Access, process and use elementary business information, considering ethical behaviour. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Complete online collection of evidence and complete a PoE.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Show an understanding of the role of business departments in an organisation.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of supply chain management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate the ability to solve both routine and new problems in the business management and supply chain areas.
  • Display research skills in solving work-related problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate an informed understanding of the core areas of the supply chain.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply management theories to fundamental business problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate problem-solving in supply chain environments.
  • Demonstrate an ability to propose solutions to problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Demonstrate the ability to account for their actions, to work effectively and show concern for others.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment process for each module consists of two components, namely, formative assessment (assignments) and summative assessment (examinations). Learners must complete one assignment and one examination, or a project, per module.

    Description of the number of assessments:
    Assignments allow Learners to assess their progress, while feedback indicates where each learner may require additional focus before writing their examinations.

    Unless explicitly stated, the assignments per module (2 assignments) contribute 40% towards the final mark, and the other 60% based on the examination. A high mark in an assignment will usually not compensate for a poor mark in the examination.

    Although assignment marks will contribute towards the final mark, learners do not have to earn credits for admission to the examinations; they are automatically accepted by registering for the examination.

    An assignment mark only applies to one academic semester. If a learner has submitted assignments but has not written the exam for that particular module within one academic semester, he or she must submit new assignments.

    Learners wishing to write examinations in either semester must register for these modules with the institution on or before the examination closing date. Learners may write examinations twice a year. Examination sessions happen in May and October of each academic year.

    Supplementary examination opportunities are provided twice a year during July and December with specific rules and procedures.

    Assignments and examination papers are formatted to ensure that they adhere to the institution's layout and format requirements. Initial proofreading and checking of the proper mark allocation take place, and the Faculty members schedule internal moderation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: Academy of International Modern Studies
    Qualification(s): Certified Supply Chain Expert/Diploma in Supply Chain Management

    The following modules are similar:
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Logistics.
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management.
  • Global Supply Chain Management (under International Trade).

    The main differences are:
    The institution's qualification is a more comprehensive offering that includes Business Numeracy and offers modules such as Academic Literacy and Academic Literacy.

    Additional observations:
    It can be observed from the above comparison that the institution's qualification tends to be well rounded and provides the learner with a fundamental and even broader understanding of Supply Chain Management. Most of the modules under AIM are covered in the institution's offering on a broader scale as opposed to them being individual modules as in the AIMS model. Supplier Relationship Management and Value Chain Analysis are covered under both Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the institution.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: RMIT University
    Qualification: Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain and Logistics Management

    The following modules are similar:
  • Supply Chain Principles.
  • Business Project Management.

    The main differences are:
    The inclusion of Business Analytics which is not covered in the institution's offering.

    Additional observations:
    It can be observed from the above comparison that the Institution's's qualification is more Supply Chain Management business focused as opposed to covering only Supply Chain Management subjects/modules. It is therefore better rounded than the AIMS qualification.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Melbourne University
    Qualification: Professional Certificate in Supply Chain Management

    The main differences are:
    The qualification like many others is Supply Chain Management specific and it focuses on areas that are only touched on in certain institution's modules. Therefore, Supply Chain Frameworks, Designing Supply Chains, Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities and Supply Chain Analytics are not stand-alone modules like Melbourne University's offerings.

    Additional Observations:
    It can be observed that from the above comparison that the institution's qualification contains several Supply Chain Management and Logistics modules such as International Trade, Transport and Logistics, Operations Management, Business Management and Business literacy. It therefore provides a more comprehensive understanding of Supply Chain Management than what is offered by Melbourne University.

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: Institute of Supply Chain Management
    Qualification: Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management

    The following Institution's modules are similar:
  • Quality Management,
  • Logistics and Material Management,
  • Corporate Social Responsibility,
  • Supplier Relationship Management,
  • Cost and Price Management,
  • Supply Chain Strategy,
  • Sourcing,
  • Category Management.

    It must however be noted that the above falls under the institution's modules
  • Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management
  • Business Management.

    The main differences are:
  • Sales and Operations Planning
  • Project Management
  • Leadership and Business Acumen
  • Systems Capability
  • Technology and Risk and Compliance

    Additional observations:
    It can be observed from the above comparison that the institution's qualification is styled on a typical university-type qualification whereas the Institute's qualification is more specialised in certain aspects of Supply Chain Management.

    Country: Canada
    Institution: George Brown College Open
    Qualification: Supply Chain Management Certificate

    The following modules are similar to the qualification offered by the institution:
  • Introduction to Supply Chain Management
  • Global Supply Chain Management
  • Supply Chain Strategy
  • Supply Chain Technology

    The main differences are:
    The main difference between the two qualifications is that the Institution's offering is more comprehensive and more macro-focused than the George Brown University equivalent.

    Additional observations:
    It can be observed from the above comparison that the institution's qualification is more comprehensive and it provides the student with a broader understanding of business and how marketing relates to a business in general. The modules under George Brown University are covered in the institution's offering on a broader scale as opposed to them being independent modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Export Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Marketing Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Export Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Marketing Management, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. IMM Graduate School of Marketing (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.