Level III Courses

Level III Courses: International Certificate in Logistics and Transport (3 courses)

Business Theory - The role of management can be a very diverse and multi-disciplined practice that requires talented individuals to analyze, control and manage a multitude of operations and departments. 

A range of management skills is required – whether course participants are working in a large international organization or as a sole trader managing their own workload, diary and commercial aspects. In either arena, the art of the manager is to ensure maximum return on the operation from efficiency to finances. 

Within this course a range of management disciplines from marketing and information flow to business planning and commercial skills are examined. The range of aspects covered within this course framework, fall under the four main components of Marketing, Communications, Finance and Legal. (required)

Business Application - Irrespective of the organization, the arena of business or the tasks undertaken, management requires a group of individuals to work together with one objective: to achieve the targets, goals and aims defined by the organization whilst adhering to its mission. Essentially, management involves several key factors, namely controlling, directing, leading, planning and staffing an organization in mind of achieving a pre-set goal or several goals. Notably, for the purpose of this guide, an organization in this context is defined as a group of one or more individuals or bodies. 

Management covers a variety of subjects and disciplines from sales, operations, new product development and strategy through to human resources, finance and supply chain.

Although each of these areas is different, the common goal of management is still ever present: it is the art form or science of ensuring effective management through a chain of command and/or other people and processes, so as to ensure that maximum return on investment is achieved.  Within this course, consideration is given on how people can apply management skills and experience to manage operations and staff both efficiently and effectively. (required)

Warehousing - Warehousing is accepted today as a critical component of logistics and supply chain operations. Warehouses have transformed from a mere storage place for goods to become complex operations that continue to add value to supply chain and give competitive advantages to organizations. 

This course is designed in such a way to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of warehousing, and to thereby deliver the skills required by an aspiring Warehouse Manager to operate effectively.  The unit covers all the key areas of warehousing operations and the key activities involved in each area. 

The key components of this course are:

• Managing order-picking and the dispatching of goods
• Managing warehouse receiving and storing operations
• Managing the provision and care of warehouse resources
• By the end of the unit participants should be able to:
• Describe the role of warehousing in supply chain operations
• Explain the various activities in warehousing operations
• Plan the daily requirements for receiving, storing, picking and dispatching
• Identify the resource requirements for warehouse operations
• Monitor and control warehousing activities to ensure operational goals are achieved

Inventory - The Inventory course focuses specifically on three areas:

• Managing Inventory;
• Controlling Stock;
• Managing Performance.

Procurement - Procurement is a key strategic element in any supply chain process. A Supply Chain comprises all activities associated with the flow and transformation of goods, from raw materials stage through to the final consumer, and so it is a sequence of events intended to satisfy a customer or end user. It is made up of various elements, including manufacturing, distribution, transport, warehousing, inventory control, materials handling, and procurement.  

Procurement is on the supply side of the Supply Chain, and its function is to provide the interface with the organization’s external supply markets. The purpose of procurement is to secure a value-for-money deal in the initial purchasing of a specified product or service by taking into account various factors, such as supply markets, potential suppliers, supplier capabilities, lead times and commercial terms, and then to manage effectively the business relationship with the supplier.

Supply Chain Operations - This course covers the key concepts surrounding supply chain operations and focuses on four main components:

• Fundamentals of a Supply Chain;
• The Supply Chain Environment;
• Operation of a Supply Chain;
• Supply Chain Performance.

The course begins by looking at a normal business operations model, the so-called ‘input-transformation-output’ model. It is important to note that the term ‘businesses used in this context refers to all entities concerned with buying and selling, including the work of the government, its agencies and non-governmental organizations. This broad view is as the business methods, skills, attitudes and objectives are being adopted irrespective of the type organization.

The course goes on to consider the commercial and operational environment for organizations covering the following aspects:

• Suppliers;
• Competitors;
• Labor markets;
• Financial institutions;
• Customers;
• Trade unions;
• Governments; 

Finally, the course concludes by considering issues of performance.  All supply chain management approaches seek to improve performance through better use of internal and external capabilities in order to create a seamlessly coordinated supply chain. This elevates inter-company competition to inter-supply chain competition. Key performance indicators for supply chain operations are identified and discussed along with approaches to enhance performance.

Green Logistics - This course is specifically designed to provide information and to help understanding of green and sustainable logistics and supply chain management. It covers the environmental impact of logistics and supply chain operations, modal considerations, energy efficiency, future trends and strategies, the management of change aimed at improving sustainability and the required performance measures and performance monitoring that will be required in order to bring about such desired and planned changes. 

It comprises of three components:

• Green and Sustainable Logistics;
• Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Operations Today and in the Future;
• Green Logistics Management, Performance and Monitoring.

These three sections cover a wide spectrum of topics relating to the ‘greening’ of logistics activities in markets that are expanding, more complex and increasingly competitive. In addition, markets where many natural resources and traditional energy sources are becoming depleted and exhausted and an environment in which many traditional sources of raw materials are being replaced as the drive towards global trading continues.

Many issues are related to economic factors, supply and demand, cultural and ethical considerations and the need for change, and are focused not only on the need for change but how that change may be enacted, successfully managed and effectively monitored.

Port Operations - This course is specifically designed to provide information and to help understanding of port management and port operations. It covers the types and functions of ports and terminals and their management, operation and maintenance. It includes global, international and national freight movements, types of goods and vessels, passenger considerations, port and area controls, physical and human resource requirements, consignments, unitization and consignment monitoring. 

The course also goes on to examine the roles of Port and Customs authorities and how goods are moved under regulations and conventions, other general and trading agreements and the associated documentation. The course closes with an examination of port development and planning requirements, port support and ancillaries and associated infrastructure requirements and environmental considerations.