Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Port Operations (Level 3) with strands in Port
Administration, Cargo Handling, and Heavy Machine Operation
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
75
NZSCED
031799 Engineering and Related Technologies>Maritime
Engineering and Technology>Maritime Engineering and
Technology not elsewhere classified
Qualification developer
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Inc)
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
April 2015
Strategic purpose statement
This qualification is for entry level positions in the cargo
management industry and to provide a credential for those
already working in this industry.
The qualification will provide the port cargo management industry
with people who are able to work safely and within the regulatory
framework, at ports in the common entry level cargo handling
roles.
Graduates will benefit by having a qualification which recognises
skills and knowledge in port cargo handling that supports
improved job performance and enhances employment
opportunities.
Port organisations will benefit in improving business efficiencies
by having staff with recognised skills and knowledge in
specialised roles to competently handle the movement of cargo,
under supervision.
The strands recognise specialist knowledge and skills for
application in the Port Administration, Cargo Handling, and
Heavy Machine Operation aspects of port operations.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
Outcome Statement
Core

Comply with legislative requirements and organisational
policies and procedures in order to work safely and efficiently
in port operations.

Show broad understanding of the characteristics of a port
environment and the machinery that operates within it.

Work safely and communicate within a team in a port
operations environment to complete common tasks.
Port Administration Strand

Provide port operations customer, supplier, and quality
control services to complete common port administration
tasks.

Communicate with stakeholders to receive and deliver cargo.
Cargo Handling Strand
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
Safely conduct lifting, movement, and stowage of cargo.
Heavy Machine Operation Strand

Education pathway
Safely operate port cargo lifting and shifting machinery over
10 tonne.
Candidates entering the Port Administration strand may have
completed the New Zealand Certificate in Business
(Administration and Technology) (Level 3) [Ref: 2452].
This qualification may lead to generic first line management
qualifications; for example the New Zealand Certificate in
Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) [Ref: 2456] or to the
New Zealand Diploma in Port Operations (Level 5) with strands
in Vessel Planning, and Yard Planning [Ref: 2815].
Cargo handling graduates that have attained unit standard 3789
may, by attaining unit standard 3801, also become qualified in
the New Zealand Certificate in Cranes (Dogman Operations)
(Level 3) [Ref: 1786].
Employment pathway
Graduates are able to work in areas such as:
Port Administration Strand

Port administration of policies and procedures, receival and
delivery of cargo (R&D), data entry, inventory management.
Cargo Handling Stand

Lashing, cargo handling, stevedoring, provision of port
auxiliary services (such as log scaling, tallying, mooring,
refrigeration).
Heavy Machine Operation Strand

Operation of: Straddle carrier, excavator to handle logs, lift
truck, mobile harbour crane, conveyor belt loader for dry
cargo, and/or other heavy machinery.
Experience and/or further qualifications may lead to employment
in Supervision/Team Leaderership, Yard Planning, or Vessel
Planning.
Depending on strand speciality, candidates may have the skills
and knowledge for employment in administration, machine
operation, or in supply chain operations outside of port
operations.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification may be awarded by the NZ Motor Industry
Training Organisation (Inc.) as the qualification developer and
the industry training organisation arranging training leading to the
qualification under section 5 of the Industry Training Act 1992.
This qualification may also be awarded by an education
organisation accredited under section 250 of the Education Act
1989 to deliver an approved programme leading to this
qualification.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification will
display the NZQF logo and may also include the name and/or
logo of the awarding Tertiary Education Organisation.
Evidence requirements for
Qualification Reference 2814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) will provide evidence
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assuring consistency
that demonstrates how the graduate outcomes are being met.
Evidence should include:
 surveys of graduates and employers which determine how
well graduates are meeting the graduate outcomes in the
workplace
 reports from consultation with major industry associations to
ensure graduates are meeting their member’s needs
 demonstration of effective processes to identify changes in
industry practice and training requirements. For example,
meeting minutes from industry advisory groups
 any other evidence, including workplace evidence, that shows
how the graduate outcomes are being met.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for the award of
the qualification will be successful completion of an NZQA
approved programme leading to achievement of all core
outcomes in the graduate profile and at least one strand.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
None.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
None.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programme and assessment will include:
Comply with legislative
requirements and
organisational policies and
procedures in order to work
safely and efficiently in port
operations.
Credits 10
2
Show broad understanding of
the characteristics of a port
operation and the machinery
that operates within it.
Credits 15
Qualification Reference 2814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

compliance with regulatory obligations including health and
safety, biosecurity, environment; and customs and border
security obligations

hazard identification

confined spaces

working at heights

emergency procedures and evacuation

good/best practice (best practice guidelines (BPG), company
operating procedures (COPs))
Programme and assessment will include:

Port’s role in the supply chain

Inland hubs

Off port container depots

Auxilary services

Reporting and management structure

Shift work

Confined spaces

Working at heights
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3
Work safely and communicate
within a team in a port
operations environment to
complete commontasks
Credits 10

Cargo explosion risks

Employee security responsibilities

Biosecurity

Envionmental protection

Traffic management

An overview of general types of port machinery
/functions/weight restrictions

Access restrictions

Cargo types

Vessel types

Cargo storage

Hazardous cargo

Contractor types
Programme and assessment will include:

conveyance of clear and logical instructions

radio communications to meet organisational requirements

written communication to meet organisational requirements

taking personal responsibility for carrying out workplace
tasks safely

team dynamics and their effect on completing workplace
tasks
Port Administration Strand
4
Provide port operations
customer, supplier, and quality
control services to complete
common port administration
tasks.
Credits 30
5
Communicate with
stakeholders to receive and
deliver cargo.
Credits 10
Programme and assessment will include:

quality control of processes leading to consistency of cargo
handling

computer skills

receival and delivery of cargo (R&D)

port data entry

inventory management
Programme and assessment will include:

customer service and supplier relationships

interpersonal skills

problem solving of cargo supply/delivery delays
Cargo Handling Strand
6
Safely conduct lifting,
movement and stowage of
cargo.
Credits 40
Programme and assessment will include:

understanding of characteristics of cargo types

cargo stowage and securing

cargo lifting techniques/safe working loads

signalling instructions

storage of commodities within the port

hazardous goods handling
Heavy Machinery Strand
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7
Safely operate port cargo lifting
and shifting machinery over 10
tonne.
Machinery must exceeds 10 tonne working load capacity.
Evidence is required for a minimum of two machines.
Credits 40

machine operation observed competence

manufacturers operations manuals

machine emergency procedures

load and unload off road and rail

understanding of the characteristics of port machinery in
common use

cargo lifting techniques/safe working loads

pre operation checks and identification of machinery
faults,and reporting procedures
Programme and assessment will include:
Assessment against standards in the following domain may be
used to contribute towards evidence for this graduate outcome:
Service Sector > Stevedoring and Ports Industry > Port
Machinery Operations
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the:

National Certificate in Stevedoring and Ports Industry (Cargo
Handling) [Ref: 1451]

National Certificate in Stevedoring and Ports Industry (Cargo
Handling) [Ref: 1010]

National Certificate in Stevedoring and Ports Industry (Log
Handling and Ship Loading) [Ref: 0934]
The last date for entry into programmes leading to replaced national qualifications is 31 December 2016.
The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced national qualifications is 31 December 2018, at
which time they will be designated as discontinued.
Existing candidates may either complete the replaced qualifications or transfer to the replacement New
Zealand qualification.
It is anticipated that existing candidates will not be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to NZ Motor Industry
Training Organisation (Inc) at the address below. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Inc), PO Box 10803, Wellington 6011.
Qualification Reference 2814
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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