Clarity on Fiata qualifications

Chris Richards raised some thought-provoking points in his letter published in the December 16, 2011 issue of FTW. We as Global Maritime Legal Solutions (GMLS), the company which was quoted in Mr Richards’ letter, would like to bring some clarity to the issue raised. Although the Fiata Diploma has been available to South African learners since 1996, to take full advantage of increasing global expansion opportunities, South African freight forwarders and international supply chain managers must now ensure that those who need to carry out the work can function at the same high levels of competency as their overseas counterparts. These employees need to acquire the Fiata Diploma in International Freight Forwarding by enrolling on the South African NQF 3 and 4 Advanced freight forwarding learnerships without delay. Those learners who have completed these qualifications will need to complete the additional four skills programmes (Dangerous Goods, Inland Waterways, ICT and Safety & Security). Those operating at more strategic levels will require the Fiata Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management. Although it is true that there are a number of institutions offering courses in supply chain management, it would seem to make sense that a freight forwarding company wishing to expand its services towards functional integration through supply chain management would rather choose a qualification written and validated by the international body for freight forwarders, namely Fiata. In this regard GMLS has no preferred position with Saaff. What we have however done is invest considerable time, expertise, money and other resources to meet the stringent requirements of Saaff and Fiata so that we are in a position to have our material submitted for validation against both the Fiata Diploma and the Fiata Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management at the Fiata Headquarters session in March. We are reliably informed that we are the first South African provider to have achieved this significant milestone for both qualifications. Mark Goodger, GMLS, Johannesburg.