Professional Diploma in Logistics & Transport

This core unit presents the fundamental management knowledge required of managers in logistics and the transport industry. It covers aspects of the internal and external structures of an organisation, the governance of the people within the organisation and those financial and other planning techniques necessary to maintain organisational health. It aims to deliver the understanding and competence of those key elements of management practice that are fundamental to both commercial and non-commercial organisations.

The aim of this elective unit is to introduce the main principles, concepts and practices of supply chain management. The content of the module covers four main themes. These are: what is a supply chain and supply chain planning, why it is important in any business, how the supply chain operates and the principles for supply chain improvement. Where appropriate, the global nature of the supply chain will be emphasised.

This elective unit presents the key aspects of transport operations. It provides the basis for professionals in the transport industry to understand the principles of effective, safe and legal movement of goods and people in a national and international context. The unit covers the nature of transport, an appreciation of its supply and demand characteristics and the different ways in which the transport product can be delivered effectively and efficiently.

This elective unit presents the key aspects of transport planning. It provides the foundation of knowledge on the concepts and principles that govern the process of transport planning. The unit investigates the nature and purpose of transport planning, the interactions between transport and land-use and the process of transport planning.

This option unit covers the application of inventory techniques within industry and its contribution to supply chain performance. It aims to show how effective inventory strategy can lead to competitive advantage through improvements in customer service, operational efficiency and the utilisation of company assets. This unit is relevant for anyone working or interested in inventory management. It will also provide those directly engaged in supply chain management with a broader understanding of this subject.

This option unit provides the underlying knowledge for the movement of goods in a national and international context. It addresses the responses of the transport operator to the characteristics of goods and places the latter's movements in the context of the total logistics concept. Choice of mode, vehicle and route are integral and the external and internal issues relating to modal infrastructures are featured. A further key element is the location of infrastructure, and the operation of interchanges together with their supporting information links.

This option unit provides the underlying knowledge for the movement of people in a national and international context. It addresses the responses of the operator of passenger transport to the characteristics of movements. Key elements are the operation of the interchange points and location together with the vital communications links that supply the control and confirmation of movement. The unit supports the Transport Operations unit to provide a comprehensive package for the passenger transport operator.

This option unit provides the fundamental knowledge required by managers in the logistics business sector involved in the flow of materials through a production process. It covers production planning as part of the logistics system and how production planning fits into a company's supply chain strategy. This unit views the logistics of production planning processes in terms of the creation of value to the customers, delivering sustainable competitive advantage and minimising waste. This unit is relevant for anyone working in logistics in a manufacturing environment and for those with an interest in this sector.

The aim of this option unit is to formulate and apply principles and practices of supply chain management to retailing. It therefore builds upon and develops the content of the elective module in Supply Chain Management. The unit is particularly relevant for those employed by retailers or by third party operators serving the retail sector and also for those with an interested in the retail sector.

This option unit presents the fundamental sourcing management knowledge for managers involved in logistics activities. It covers the role and strategy of sourcing and the procurement processes that follow. The unit addresses the integration of these processes within the overall corporate strategy and covers the measurement and use of performance and financial controls that aid efficient and effective supplier management.

This unit presents the technical processes involved in transport planning. It provides technical knowledge on the quantitative processes which under-pin the transport planning process. It incorporates the development of strategic plans at a national regional and local level.

This option unit addresses the issues surrounding transport and its relationship with society. It reviews the impact of demography, politics and environmental factors on the development of transport for both passenger and freight. A further key element is the effect of residential choices and employment patterns on transport needs. The unit is freestanding but is particularly interesting to those following the Transport Planning elective unit.

This unit presents the fundamental warehouse management knowledge required of managers in logistics and the storage and distribution industry. It covers the role of the warehouse and how warehouse strategy fits into the logistics strategy. The key elements are operational functioning of a warehouse, its technology and effective control.

The aim of this option unit is to provide candidates with the knowledge required to plan, implement and manage the global flow of materials from their source to the end user within the overall framework of an organisation's business strategy. The unit deals with the complex issues of the identification and management of risk inherent in an international supply chain and how government trade policies/promotion and inter-governmental regulation impact on international business practice.

Effective Project Management is an essential element of the cost-effective management of change. The unit deals with projects and the elements of project management, including reviews using a methodology that has been used to bring about successful project management and outcomes for many years. The methodology and content of this unit are based upon what has been approved by the Association of Project Management (APM) as sufficient to meet the requirements and professional standards of a person nominated to act in the role of Project Practitioner.