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.”