PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION The purpose of this Certificate is to equip learners to understand and acquaint themselves with the underlying principles of all of the major areas related to distribution within the Wholesale & Retail sector, thus enabling them to become more effective employees. The Certificate further aims to provide career paths through various levels and areas of the Wholesale and Retail environment thus promoting the notion of quality lifelong learning. By assisting in the development of competence in the Wholesale and Retail field (arguably one of the bigger, more labour intensive and therefore important arenas for social and economic transformation in the country), this Certificate will provide a stepping-stone for further learning in the Further Education and Training Band. The Certificate in Wholesale and Retail Distribution, NQF Level 2, is designed to meet the needs of the learners who are already employed and involved in Wholesale, Distribution or Mail Order Retail within the Wholesale and Retail field. Additionally, however, it may also allow access to, and meet the needs and aspirations of the youth and unemployed who wish to pursue a career in these areas, or in fields where this learning may be useful. This furthermore includes adult learners who want to enter the arena or develop their careers in one or more of the related sub-fields. As this Certificate may form part of a learning pathway it may allow mobility to persons operating at any level in the field. This Certificate provides learners with a grounding in all areas of Distribution. This may enable them not only to increase their productivity within the Wholesale and Retail Sector but also to apply their learning in various other business environments. Rationale This qualification reflects some of the needs of the Wholesale and Retail sector both now and in the future as it developed following much discussion with Wholesalers, Distribution Centres and Mail Order Houses. There is presently no Qualification available for employees at Level 2 in all three areas of the sector and there is great synergy between the needs of the three areas. As a result, based on specific needs expressed, the Certificate in Wholesale and Retail Distribution was developed. The impact of this Certificate on society and the economy is reflected in the multiple job roles and careers within three distinct arenas that can stem from the qualification. The added value of the skills, knowledge and understanding developed by the Certificate will result in greater productivity resulting from the improved performance by the learner, due to the integration of the learning which may have taken place in the workplace.