International Trade and Logistics Operations (ITLO) is under development as a vocational unit-based qualification designed for the new qualification framework, Qualifications and Credit Framework. This long awaited qualification is for those involved in arranging the transportation of international freight, whether by air, rail, sea or road – or any combination – and will fill the void left by the expiry of International Trade and Services (ITAS).
In short, the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) lends itself to developing more flexible awards and qualifications that can be tailored to specific job roles - or steps on the Professional Development Stairway – and more flexible delivery methods.
The main principle behind QCF is that a learner can accumulate ‘credit’ for each unit of assessment completed – supporting the demand for ‘bite-sized chunks of learning’ - and this credit may be transferred and built up into larger chunks of learning. QCF is applicable to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a broadly similar qualifications framework, SCQF, applies in Scotland.
With ITLO, the QCF framework allows flexibility to develop an overarching ‘knowledge’ unit that may be delivered in a non-work environment (schools, colleges, private trainers, etc), which supports the aim of attracting new people into the industry. Smaller, specialist performance and knowledge units are also being developed.
The focus of the ITLO qualification development is on a Level 2 qualification but in the process, Level 1 and 3 awards will also be considered.
Skills for Logistics will be consulting with the sector on this qualification shortly. Please complete the online registration form if you would like take part in the consultation on International Trade and Logistics Operations.
