Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Airport Operations (Level 5)
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
5
Credits
120
NZSCED
031505
Engineering and Related Technologies > Aerospace Engineering
and Technology > Aircraft Operation
DAS classification
1329
Service Sector > Aviation > Airport Operations
Qualification developer
ServiceIQ
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
January 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the airports sector
of the aviation industry with individuals who have attained
sufficient operational knowledge and skills to carry out specialist
supervisory, management, regulatory compliance, and
enforcement roles at an airport.
They will have broad operational and technical skills, combined
with the specialised aviation knowledge required for operating as
a manager with skills suited to leadership in the specialised field
of airport operations within the highly regulated, safety and
service dominated aviation industry.
Their applied skills and knowledge will require taking full
responsibility for the nature, quantity and quality of outcomes,
and they may also have some responsibility for the management
and performance of others.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
apply risk factor management practices at an operational
level to manage environmental issues, safety programmes,
and security systems and procedures at an airport, to ensure
regulatory compliance
-
manage passenger facilitation including coordination of
communication with airlines, external agencies, and ground
handling agencies, at an airport
-
manage the provision of a range of airport services relating
to airside and landside facilities.
Education pathway
This qualification can lead on from the New Zealand Certificate in
Airport Operations (Level 4) with strands in Airport Customer
Service, Airport Maintenance, Airport Safety, and Aviation
Security [Ref: 2537]. This qualification can lead on to higher
diplomas or degrees in business and management.
Employment pathway
Holders of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to
seek management position roles in an airport. Roles may
include Chief Operating Officer, Airport Manager, Airport
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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Operations Officer, and Airport Services Duty Manager.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification is awarded by the accredited provider. The
formal certification document will include the NZQF logo,
and the logo of any tertiary education organisation offering a
programme of training leading to the award of this
qualification. The ServiceIQ logo may only be included if
explicitly approved by ServiceIQ.
Evidence requirements for assuring
consistency
All tertiary education organisations either arranging training
or delivering programmes that lead to the award of the
qualification are required to participate in a consistency
process scheduled by NZQA.
Further information can be found on the NZQA website.
Evidence associated with achievement of qualification
outcomes will include the following:
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements

Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the
qualification meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Evidence of effective processes to ensure
programmes continue to meet current industry
needs.

A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that
graduates meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
ServiceIQ recognises prior learning achieved within both
formal and informal settings. For full details, contact
ServiceIQ, direct phone 0800 863 693, or by email –
qualifications@serviceiq.org.nz.
Processes may include:
 recognition for people who have worked in industry for a
period of time who have not had any formal recognition
of their skills
 assisting people to upgrade previously gained
qualifications
 credit for learning achieved in previously gained
qualifications that aligns with outcomes in this
qualification.
Accredited providers delivering programmes that lead to
award of this qualification must transfer credit and recognise
prior learning in accordance with their own credit recognition
policies and procedures.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment
standards are used for assessment within programmes of
study or training leading to this qualification.
Qualification Reference 2538
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for award of
the qualification will be the achievement of all of the
outcomes in the graduate profile through successful
completion of an NZQA approved programme.
There are no grade endorsements available for this
qualification.
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory body
or legislative requirements)
This qualification is intended for airport employees or New
Zealand Defence Force personnel only, as airside
assessment opportunities are restricted to those persons
holding an Airport Identity Card issued by the New Zealand
Civil Aviation Authority under the sponsorship of an airport
employer, or members of the New Zealand Defence Force
(NZDF) under the authority of the relevant NZDF Policy.
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
structure
Conditions for programme
context
Other conditions
To achieve this qualification trainees must at all times comply with
aviation regulations and security rules applicable to airports.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Apply risk factor management
practices at an operational level to
manage environmental issues,
safety programmes, and security
systems and procedures at an
airport, to ensure regulatory
compliance.
Credits 60
Trainees must comply with the
requirements of one or more of the
following: CAA Rule Part 139, Part 140,
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Policy.
Mandatory or
Optional
Optional unless
otherwise
specified
Recommended unit standards:
13414 Manage environmental issues at
an airport Level 6 Credit 20
13417 Manage safety programmes at an
airport Level 5 Credit 20
13420 Manage security systems and
procedures at an airport Level 5 Credit 20
2
Manage passenger facilitation
including coordination of
communication with airlines,
external agencies, and ground
handling agencies, at an airport.
Trainees must comply with the
requirements of one or more of the
following: CAA Rule Part 139, Part 140,
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Policy.
Credits 10
Recommended unit standards:
Optional unless
otherwise
specified
13422 Manage passenger facilitation at
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an international airport Level 6 Credit 10
13423 Manage passenger facilitation at a
domestic airport Level 5 Credit 10
3
Manage the provision of a range of
airport services relating to airside
and landside facilities.
Credits 50
Trainees must comply with the
requirements of one or more of the
following: CAA Rule Part 139, Part 140,
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Policy.
Optional unless
otherwise
specified
Recommended:
Assessment may include relevant unit
standards in the Airport Operations or
Visitor Services domains on the New
Zealand Qualifications Framework, or in
the Business fields.
Assessment may also include relevant
New Zealand Institute of Management,
NZDipBus, or University
Business/Management papers.
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Diploma in Airport Operations
(Level 5) [Ref: 0514]
As this qualification is different in design and content to the replaced National qualification, it is the
industry and SSB's preference and recommendation for trainees to enter into programmes leading to the
new qualification.
Trainees currently enrolled in programmes leading to the replaced qualification may either complete the
requirements by 31 December 2018 or transfer to the new qualification.
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is 31 December 2015. The
last date for award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2018 at which time it will be designated
as discontinued.
It is the intention of ServiceIQ that no existing trainee should be disadvantaged by these transition
arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may appeal to: ServiceIQ, PO
Box 25522, Wellington. Email qualifications@serviceiq.org.nz
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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