Freight Handling Practitioner

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.

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.

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.

• Maintain operational processes related to the receiving, verification and allocation of freight.
• Maintain operational processes related to the storing and picking of freight within a managed environment.
• Apply basic key concepts to maintain operational processes related to the reconciliation and dispatching of freight.
• Maintain administrative and reporting processes related to the receiving, storing and dispatching of freight.