New development brings Fiata diploma closer

South Africa’s forwarding
and customs clearing national
diplomas now have an
international benchmark,
making it one step easier to
obtain the internationally
recognised Fiata diploma.
This follows a year
of development of the
unit standards for the
qualifications Forwarding
and Customs Clearing Level
3 and 4.
According to Tony
D’Almeida of the South
African Association of Freight
Forwarders (Saaff), this is an
important development for the
country.
“It offers much opportunity
to the industry – especially
companies with an
international mobility. South
Africa’s national diploma is
now congruent with the Fiata
curriculum.”
He said the unit standards
for the two qualifications were
benchmarked against the Fiata
diploma.
“Once you have completed
these two qualifications, you
can then come to Saaff who
will evaluate you further
through an assessment and
dissertation, and if successful
you are awarded the Fiata
diploma.”
He said after the unit
standards for Forwarding and
Customs Clearing Level 3
and 4 were benchmarked with
the Fiata diploma, they were
registered at the end of last
year and were now in place.
“We are encouraging our
industry trainers to use these
unit standards to develop
training material, assessment
and learner guides so that
when they teach they do so
against this international
benchmark,” said D’Almeida.
“Holders of the Fiata diploma
in freight forwarding are
recognised as professionals
throughout the world. With
these developments the
industry is offering serious
opportunity for employees to
enhance their career paths.”