What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
RPL, more formally known as Recognition of Prior Learning is simply a skills assessment. It’s a pathway which recognises a student’s previous work achievements and competencies in view of attaining a nationally recognised qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is offered to students who currently possess some or all of the required skills within the qualification they are seeking. Competency based training allows for the issue of qualifications based upon the abilities demonstrated by the learner, not by the number of hours they have sat in a training course.
Given this a student may at the time of enrolment be close to meeting some of these requirements, if not all. This may be due to work experience in the field or other studies, in this case the student will not benefit from being treated the same as a new entrant to the industry.
RPL’s do not replace training; they actually operate at the other end of the spectrum, where training is not required. RPL’s are best suited to those who may not necessarily attain value from additional training, but are seeking to have their existing skills formalised.
RPL’s in the VET (Vocational Education and Training) industry has had a bad reputation. I constantly hear from enrolled students that although they hold all the skills and have countless years of industry experience, they would rather attend the training course than endure the dreaded RPL process.
Whilst there are providers who still operate archaic systems and processes for RPL’s, the industry is shifting towards a more student focussed environment. Seems obvious but for many years it hasn’t been the case. When deciding on a provider to conduct your RPL use the following as a guide.
HOW MUCH WORK IS REQUIRED OF ME?
There should be no need for you to receive and complete mountains of paperwork. If you are suitable for an RPL this assumes that you have achieved the work required for the qualification. It should simply be a matter of you submitting your evidence for assessment.
WHO DOES THE COMPETENCE MAPPING?
This is a big one, the majority of the RPL process and a fundamental reason why RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations) discourage RPL is the amount of backend work involved. This involves mapping each of the competencies with the student’s evidence. I have heard of many RTO’s simply shifting this workload to the student. Choose an RTO which will do the competency mapping for you.
CAN I MEET THE ASSESSOR?
The cost of meeting, consultation etc. should be in the fee you are charged. Part of the reason students don’t complete the RPL is they get stuck and sometimes just need a face to face or telephone call. Make sure the RTO is open to meeting you or making arrangements to assist in the process.
DOES IT INCLUDE GAP TRAINING?
In some RPL’s it is common that certain criteria will not be covered using the evidence, or the fact that a student may actually benefit from training in a specific area. The fee charged by the RTO should cover the cost of any gap training associated with that qualification, but make sure you ask.
HOW TO I ENROL?
All of our potential Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) students must first complete a suitability assessment to determine if you are eliigble for RPL in your chosen course.
If you believe you will be eligible for RPL, please complete our Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment so our training consultants can assess this for you before proceeding. This assessment will prompt you to attach a recent resume, describe your work experience and acknowledge any previous qualifications you have achieved (ideally provide us with the Statement of Attainment so we can cross-reference units). We will then assess your suitability – this comes at no cost and you are not obligated to go ahead. It allows both parties to be informed and start on the same page.
If you are deemed suitable for our RPL pathway, we will move to the enrolment process. This consists of a lower course fee which we will advise if you are successful, and completion of an enrolment form will follow. You will then be assigned to one of our training consultants who will work closely with you to map your evidence to suit the unit and qualification requirements.
