SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Freight Handling Practitioner 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122623  Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Freight Handling Practitioner 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Intermediate Occupational Cert  Field 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  122  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0426/24  2024-08-22  2029-08-22 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-08-22   2033-08-22  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
96396  Occupational Certificate: Freight Handler  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  122  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Intermediate Occupational Certificate: Freight Handling Practitioner will contribute to the development of the learner by providing learners with the skills, knowledge, insights and competence required to oversee the operational processes relating to the safe and efficient handling of freight through a storage facility.

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Freight Handling Practitioner. A Freight Handling Practitioner oversees the operational processes relating to the receiving, allocation, storing, picking, reconciling, and dispatching of freight through a storage facility.
A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Oversee operational processes to receive, verify, and allocate freight.
  • Oversee operational processes to store and pick freight.
  • Oversee operational processes to reconcile and dispatch freight.

    A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes:
  • problem identification and solving
  • decision making
  • communicating information, and methods and
  • techniques application.

    Rationale:
    The need for this qualification resulted from the requirement to review and align an expired Occupational Certificate: Freight Handling Practitioner qualification to meet new policy requirements. Additional changes were affected in terms of the occupational title, to better reflect the scope of coverage.

    Freight Handling Practitioners play a vital role in the logistics and supply chain industry, by contributing significant social and economic value to various stakeholders. Freight Handling Practitioners play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of shipments. Every product or material on the market was moved at some point in time, whether by road, rail, air or water, creating a growing demand for qualified Freight Handling Practitioners.

    No other national qualification that provides the requisite knowledge and skills for this freight handling practitioner is registered on the NQF.

    This qualification will benefit the transport sector and the economy as qualified Freight Handling Practitioners efficiently and safely handle freight, which contributes to economic growth, trade facilitation, job creation, customer satisfaction, and sustainable practices. The demand for freight handling services drives investments in transportation infrastructure such as ports, railways, airports, and road networks. Freight Handling Practitioners play a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of shipments. They adhere to strict protocols for handling hazardous materials, perishable goods, and sensitive cargo, minimizing the risk of accidents and incidents that could harm people and the environment, thus benefitting society. Furthermore, the freight handling industry is labour-intensive, providing numerous job opportunities to individuals with varying skill levels and educational backgrounds. By creating employment opportunities, freight-handling practitioners contribute to local economies and support livelihoods.

    Typical learners of this qualification are those who have an interest in freight and logistics operations career.

    Stakeholders from different associations and organisations operating within the freight handling environment participated in the development of this qualification.
    The typical occupations related to this qualification include Freight Loader, Stevedore, Store Person Packer, and Aircraft Loade. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for Access
    Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a qualification if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a qualification.

    Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors.

    RPL for Exemption
    For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a qualification through any means of formal, informal or nonformal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

    Entry Requirements:
    An NQF Level 2 qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 32301-004-01-KM-01, Emotional Intelligence and Active Learning, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-02, Basics of Computers and Computing Systems, NQF Level 2, 3 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-03, Ethics and Basic Business Principles, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-04, Principles of General Health, Fire Safety, and First Aid, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-05, Principles of Business Communication and Customer Services, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-06, Introduction to Transport and Logistics, NQF Level 3, 12 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-07, Legislation and Quality in Freight Handling, NQF Level 3, 6 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-08, Receiving, Verification and Allocation of Freight, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-09, Storage and Control of Stock and Picking of Freight, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-10, The Reconciliation and Dispatching of Freight, NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 53

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 32301-004-01-KM-01, Prepare for the receiving of freight and Verify Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-02, Allocate Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-03, Store Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-04, Pick Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-05, Reconcile Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-06, Dispatch Freight, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 12

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 32301-004-01-KM-01, Processes for the Receiving, Verification and Allocation of Freight, NQF Level 3, 19 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-02, Processes for the for the Storing and Picking of Freight, NQF Level 3, 19 Credits.
  • 32301-004-01-KM-03, Processes for Reconciling and Dispatching Freight, NQF Level 3, 13 Credits.

    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 57 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Maintain operational processes related to the receiving, verification and allocation of freight.
    2. Maintain operational processes related to the storing and picking of freight within a managed environment.
    3. Apply basic key concepts to maintain operational processes related to the reconciliation and dispatching of freight.
    4. Maintain administrative and reporting processes related to the receiving, storing and dispatching of freight. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
    ELO 1: Maintain operational processes related to the receiving, verification and allocation of freight.
  • Identify appropriate freight handling equipment and space for the type of freight and mode of transport.
  • Verify delivered freight against the delivery documents.
  • Verify the quality and quantity of the freight based on specified requirements.
  • Correctly allocate freight based on characteristics and discrepancies.
  • Select and apply appropriate procedures to resolve problems related to freight handling.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    ELO 2: Maintain operational processes related to the storing and picking of freight within a managed environment.
  • Safely move freight into storage facility.
  • Correctly identify stock control methodology for the type of freight.
  • Identify picking protocols based on facility characteristics and freight requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
    ELO 3: Apply basic key concepts to maintain operational processes related to the reconciliation and dispatching of freight.
  • Reconcile stock based on picking lists and documents.
  • Safely secure and move freight to dispatch bays.
  • Identify appropriate freight handling equipment and required space for the dispatching, mode of transport and the type of freight.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
    ELO 4: Maintain administrative and reporting processes related to the receiving, storing and dispatching of freight.
  • Adhere to administrative and reporting processes related to the receiving of freight.
  • Adhere to administrative and reporting processes related to the storing of freight.
  • Adhere to administrative and reporting processes related to the dispatching of freight.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment involves all the different types of assessment tasks required for a particular qualification, part-qualification or occupational skills programme, such as written assessment of theory and practical demonstration of competence. To achieve this, the Internal Assessment Criteria (IAC) for all modules as found in the QCTO curriculum document must be followed.

    Formative Assessment
    Formative assessments are conducted throughout the training of learners. A range of formal, non-formal, and informal ongoing assessment activities are used to focus on teaching and learning outcomes to improve learner attainment.

    Formative assessments are conducted continuously by the facilitator to feed into further learning, to identify strengths and weakness, and to ensure the learner's ability to apply knowledge, skills and workplace experience gained.

    Formative Assessments are conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP), and a variety of ongoing assessment methods may be used, for example, quizzes, assignments, tests, scenarios, role play, interviews. Continuous feedback must be provided.

    Summative Assessment
    An accredited SDP should implement a well-designed, formal, relevant, final internal Summative Assessment strategy for all modules to prepare learners for the EISA. These assessments evaluate learning achievements relating to the achievement of each module of the relevant components of the qualification, part-qualification or skills programme.

    Internal Summative Assessments are developed, moderated and conducted by the SDP at the end of each module or after integration of relevant modules, e.g. applied knowledge tests, workplace tasks, practical demonstrations, simulated tasks/demonstrations, projects, case studies, etc.

    The results of these final formal summative assessments must be recorded. These results, which include the Statement of Work Experience results, where applicable, contribute to the Statement of Results (SoR) that is a requirement for admission to the EISA. An SoR, using the template provided by the Quality Partner, is issued by the accredited SDP for qualifications and part-qualifications. The SDP must produce a valid Statement of Results for each learner, indicating the final result and the date on which the competence in each module, of each component, was achieved. Learners are required to produce this SoR, together with their ID document or alternative ID document, at the point of the EISA.
    The Quality Partner is responsible for the management, conduct and implementation of the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA), in accordance with QCTO set standards. Competence in the EISA is a requirement for certificating a learner.

    For entrance into the EISA, the learner requires a valid Statement of Results issued by the accredited institution indicating the attainment of all modules for the Knowledge, Practical and Work Experience modules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to the following international qualifications:
    Worldwide, countries do not provide formal qualifications or have specific standards for the training of Freight Handling Practitioners. Training for Freight Handling Practitioners is mainly being offered in-house and is therefore company specific with little information available. Training programmes however do exist in the United Kingdom and in Australia in the fields of transport and logistics and supply chain operations that address freight handling. These two countries were therefore used.

    United Kingdom
    The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in Northants, United Kingdom (UK) offers the CILT(UK) Level 2 Certificate in Logistics and Transport. This qualification is available on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and Qualifications in Wales (QiW) database. The total qualification time for this qualification is 164 hours. No entry requirements are specified.

    This qualification offers a broad understanding of the principles, applications and concepts of logistics and the transport industry.

    To achieve this qualification learners must complete two mandatory and two option units from a choice of six, as detailed below.

    Mandatory Units
  • Introduction to Logistics.
  • Introduction to Customer Service and Marketing.

    Option Units
  • Introduction to Freight Transport Services.
  • Introduction to Passenger Transport Services.
  • Introduction to Warehousing and Inventory.
  • Introduction to Purchasing.
  • Introduction to Planning and Operation of Freight Transport.
  • Introduction to Planning and Operating Passenger Transport.

    Similarities
    The purpose and content of the two qualifications are similar.
    The CILT (UK) Level 2 Certificate is similar to the South African Intermediate Certificate in terms of approximate level as a Level 2 Certificate in the UK is approximate to a Level 3 on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The UK Certificate also covers some aspects of freight handling and operations, both in the core and elective components. These are marked with an asterisk.

    Differences
    The UK Certificate differs from the South African qualification in terms of structure as it only comprises a knowledge component. The South African qualification is much more focused and comprehensive than the UK Certificate as it encompasses practical and work experience components and therefore takes much longer to complete.

    Australia
    The Technical and Further Education Institution in New South Wales (TAFE NSW), based in Sydney, Australia, offers the Certificate TLI30321 - Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations.

    The maximum study duration is 12 months and there are no entry requirements for this qualification.
    This is a qualification for those engaged in supply chain operations and includes specialisations for logistics and warehousing operations.

    Packaging rules include a total of 14 units of competency comprising 2 core units, 4 units from one of the specialist elective Group A or Group B, plus 8 general elective units selected from the 76 elective units under Group C general elective units.
    Core units:
  • Shift materials safely using manual handling methods.
  • Ensure the safety of transport activities (Chain of Responsibility)

    Group A: Logistics Operations
  • Secure cargo.
  • Load and unload goods/cargo.
  • Calculate mass, area and quantify dimensions.
  • Interpret road maps and navigate pre-determined routes.

    Group B: Warehousing Operations
  • Complete receival and despatch documentation.
  • Identify goods and store to specifications.
  • Organise receival and despatch operations.
  • Maintain stock control and receivals.

    Group C: General elective units (only relevant units are listed below)
  • Complete receival and despatch documentation.
  • Coordinate stocktakes.
  • Identify goods and store to specifications.
  • Organise receival and despatch operations.
  • Organise warehouse records operations.
  • Secure cargo.
  • Maintain freight records.
  • Calculate mass, area and quantify dimensions.
  • Implement and monitor work health and safety procedures.
  • Apply quality systems.
  • Follow security procedures when working with goods and cargo.
  • Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.
  • Maintain stock control and receivals.

    Similarities
    The Australian Certificate III is similar to the South African Intermediate Certificate in terms of approximate level as a Certificate III on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) compares with an NQF Level 3-4 on the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It is also similar in terms of duration. In addition, the South African qualification also covers some aspects of the core unit, all aspects related to Group B: Warehousing Operations as well as all the electives listed.

    Differences
    The Australian Certificate differs from the South African qualification in terms of structure as it does not include a work experience component. The South African qualification is also much more focussed.

    Conclusion
    In general, the South African qualification compares well with the Australian Certificate in terms of level and duration. All the knowledge covered by the South African qualification is also covered by the Australian qualification. The South African qualification also compares well with the UK Certificate in terms of level, though it is without practical and work experience components. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal, vertical and diagonal articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Dispatching and Receiving Clerk, NQF Level 3.
  • National Certificate: Vocational, Level 3.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • National Occupational Certificate: Retail Supervisor, NQF Level 4.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Vocational, NQF Level 4.
  • National Certificate: Vocational, NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

    Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
  • None.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers
    Accreditation requirements, against which Skills Development Providers (SDP) and Assessment Centres, will be accredited, is found in the Curriculum Document, as listed below:

    The curriculum title and code: Freight Handling Practitioner: 432301-004-01-00.

    Encompassed Trade:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • None.

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
  • Transport Education Training Authority (TETA). 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.