Every company that manufactures products or supplies manufacturers in South Africa requires the expert services of a fleet manager. This is because fleet managers are sought after for their ability to manage the practical demands of manufacturing companies. Fleet management can include a range of functions, such as:
- Vehicle financing
- Vehicle maintenance
- Vehicle telematics (tracking)
- Driver management
- Speed management
- Fuel management
- Health and safety management
In short, it refers to the total management of a company’s fleet of vehicles, covering every aspect of the lifecycle of a vehicle from purchasing to operation.
Fleet Management is a job that allows companies that rely on transportation in business to remove many of the risks associated with vehicle investment, improving efficiency, productivity and reducing their overall transportation and staff costs. Fleet managers are becoming an increasingly important asset in any company that owns a fleet of vehicles and requires efficiency in order to make profits.
Studying Fleet Management in South Africa
Fleet-related costs are generally one of the largest expenses to businesses, especially for companies that have a business model centered on transportation, such as: car rental companies, food distributors or courier services. Because of these expenses, fleet managers need to have a wide range of skills and expertise to be able to effectively lower costs and improve efficiency. The different skills a fleet manager develops will depend on what they study and what direction they choose to take during their careers. However, before a fleet manager can specialise in one area, they need to have a fundamental understanding of what fleet management entails.
Developing Your Fleeting Skills with Lyceum College
One institution in particular leads the way with fleet management studies in South Africa – Lyceum College. The college’s School of Fleet Management and Logistics offers two potential courses for interested persons to apply to: a Higher Certificate in Fleet Management; and a Diploma in Fleet Management.
Higher Certificate
In order to gain entry into this course you are required to have obtained your National Senior Certificate or equivalent. With a minimum of 1-year of part-time studies or a maximum of 2-years of part-time studies, this course equips students to become an efficient, customer-orientated and capable Fleet Manager. The higher certificate in fleet management also places focus on accounting principles and sales management in commercial fleet operations – skills that will prove to be a great advantage for any aspiring fleet manager.
Learners studying a Higher Certificate in Fleet Management can pursue the following types of careers: Vehicle Maintenance Officer; Fleet & Logistics Officer and Fleet Owner.
The course is comprised of the following subjects:
- Fleet Management Systems
- Motor Industry Market Analysis
- Maintenance Management
- Vehicle Selection & Procurement
- Short-term Rentals Management
- Electives (select one):
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Sales Management
- Organisational Behaviour
The Higher Certificate is a higher education course that has been accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Diploma
If you’re looking for a more in-depth study into fleet management, the Diploma in Fleet Management offered by Lyceum College, has a minimum study time of 3-years (part-time) and a maximum of 6-years (part-time). The course deeply explores the dynamics of the motor industry and educates students on the various important processes involved with vehicle selection and procurement, maintenance management and relevant systems.
Learners studying a Diploma in Fleet Management also require a National Senior Certificate, and can pursue the following types of careers: Vehicle Maintenance Officer; Fleet & Logistics Officer; and Fleet Owner.
This course, offered at Lyceum College, is comprised of the following type of subjects which prepares you for the above careers:
- General Management for Fleet Managers
- Motor Industry Market Analysis
- Fleet Management Outsourcing
- Maintenance Management
The Diploma is a higher education course that has been accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Food for thought
Companies all over the world are becoming increasingly aware of their operational efficiencies. This can be in the form of their energy consumption, employee productivity, financial models, or customer services – the list is endless.
Fleet management in particular is closely related to many forms of business efficiency, such as customer service efficiency, financial efficiency, and logistical efficiency – all of which are essential to business owners. Therefore, fleet managers have a great deal of responsibility to improve a business’s performance. It will become an increasingly important job function in the future, and an area where innovations can have huge advantages. It promises to be an exciting career option.
EduConnect 2Cents
Fleet management is just one of the many careers you can go into in the transportation industry. You could get involved with logistics or supply chain management. All of these careers, including fleet management, will always be a necessity in many companies and organisations. If it interests you, why not do a course with Lyceum and start your career?
