Recognition of Prior Learning

Transcription

1 Recognition of Prior Learning Information Pack for Students Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the formal acknowledgement of skills, knowledge and competencies obtained through formal and informal training and education, work experience and life experience. The process requires the applicant to collect and present evidence whereby a judgment can be made by an assessor panel, against the requirements of one or more units of competence or modules. The judgment is made on evidence provided by the applicant of the skills and knowledge previously gained through work, study, life and other experiences. It is important to note that to be eligible for RPL, the applicant must be able to provide evidence of current competence rather than just claim that they hold a current certificate or qualification. It is essential you are able to demonstrate that the evidence submitted is your own work the success of the RPL application. This may require you to obtain third party confirmation to authenticate your work. Being competent means that: You can perform a job/task/activity to meet today s industry standards, and You can do this in a consistent way, over time, and You have sufficient knowledge to enable you to perform it in a range of situations. The information and templates in this document will assist you to gather the evidence required for an RPL assessment. You will attain one of three outcomes: 1. RPL is achieved, and/or 2. Marginal or gap training is required, or 3. Further significant learning is required. Eligibility An RPL assessment pathway is appropriate where your skills and knowledge is current and industry is relevant. RPL only applies to an entire unit of competence or module. If you cannot collect or provide enough evidence for a complete unit/module, you cannot apply for RPL. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 1 of 16

2 People with Special Needs If you are seeking RPL and you have special needs, reasonable adjustments can be made in the assessment process. If you have a disability, experience difficulties with language or numeracy, or if you are from a non-english speaking background, please discuss your needs with the Training Manager. You may also wish to bring a friend, colleague or supervisor to support you during any interview you may need to attend as part of the application process. Costs RPL for an individual unit is $250. If a student is applying for RPL in 2 or more than one unit then the fee is $200 per unit. If you are eligible for RPL for a unit or module you will only pay the RPL fee. Your course fees will be adjusted accordingly. Process The flow chart attached to this pack outlines the process involved in RPL and is an overall guide for you. Further details are provided below. Submit Application Your application should include: RPL request form Resume Supporting documentation No applications will be actioned if this initial paperwork is not received at least four weeks before the commencement of the unit/module. A SMCS assessor will be assigned to your application. They will determine whether your application can proceed, generally this will be advised during the initial interview. Initial Interview An initial interview will be conducted with you to discuss your application. The interview can be conducted either face to face or by telephone. It will involve a discussion of your previous and current work history and any formal qualifications you already hold. The interview will focus on the unit/s of competency, in particular the performance and knowledge evidence. You will need to compare the skills you believe you have with the competency units in order to decide which units you can apply to receive RPL for. This may range from one or two competencies to a whole qualification depending on the extent of your existing skills, knowledge and experience. You can go SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 2 of 16

3 through the full unit of competency for self-assessment purposes, they can be downloaded at It is recommended that you provide evidence at the interview that will give the assessor some idea of your needs. If the assessor believes RPL is an appropriate course of action for you, then the process continues. During the initial interview you will also discuss how your skills can be assessed. Assessments may involve further interviews, observation and questioning, work samples or presenting other documentation. Ideally combinations of assessment types are used for an RPL assessment. Collect and Collate Evidence You will need to collate an RPL Portfolio (Attachment Two) which addresses the Elements and Performance and Knowledge Evidence of the unit/s and submit all documentation necessary to have your RPL application assessed including all evidence. You will need to collect evidence for each of the performance criteria or learning outcomes. SMCS will provide these details to you either before or during your initial application. You will then need to complete an Evidence Record Template (Attachment Two) to help you organize the evidence. Quality evidence is valid, reliable, sufficient, authentic and current. Evidence is comprised of examples of work that best shows your achievements and learning that matches the selected units of competency/modules. Examples of evidence might include documents like: Administration documents and programs Examples of work or resources you have produced Budgets Position description Business documents/correspondence Qualifications/awards/formal statements of results Business plans Reports Policy documents and procedures Diary/journal entries Resume Log books Details of informal training programs, seminars, conferences and workshops you have attended and are relevant to your application References/referees Third party confirmation reports Performance reviews SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 3 of 16

4 Certificates of participation/awards/achievements/letters of commendation Recordings and photographs of your work activities This list is a guide only. application. You can add other examples to support your Important: All copies of originals will need to be certified by either a Justice of the Peace or a SMCS staff member. SMCS will conduct checks on your documentation to ensure they are valid and current. This may include contacting the issuing office or previous or current employer. Do not submit original documents. Assessment Interview The purpose of this second interview is to participate in competency conversations using a structured question bank for each unit cluster. The assessor will record your responses and consider evidence from the conversation. The interviews may be conducted in the workplace if required and may involve more than one session. In the interview, your assessor will: Consider your responses to questions and give you scenarios to respond to situations that are related to a workplace and the unit of competency. Encourage you to discuss examples of your work, and the principles, knowledge and theories that guide you in your work. Make brief notes recording your responses and the examples you provide. If appropriate, ask you if you can find relevant documents or other evidence in the workplace. This interview gives you an opportunity to discuss your relevant experiences with your assessor. You can prepare for the interview by: Reflecting on your workplace experience and its link to the unit. Reflecting on the unit summaries and how you apply your skills and knowledge to them. Making brief notes you can refer to during the conversation. During the interview your assessor will ask you questions about workplace activities, prompting you to discuss your skills and knowledge. Please remember: The questions are discussion starters to help your assessor identify your current knowledge and relevant experience. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 4 of 16

5 When responding to a question, try to think about what you do in the workplace, including the principles that guide your work. If something is not clear, ask your assessor to explain it. In doing this, you are also demonstrating your communication style, and your ability to seek clarification. If you find you can t respond to a question, you may ask your assessor to come back to it later. After the interview your assessor will consider the evidence you provided in the conversation and apply it to making an overall RPL decision. Understanding how evidence is assessed There are a number of criteria that underpin decision-making in RPL or in undertaking an assessment of current competence. These criteria help the assessor in determining whether or not the skills you have can be matched to the competency/module. They include: Authenticity do you actually have the skill? Do you have evidence to prove this? Currency do you still have the skills? Are these skills current? Is the evidence recent? Quality can you perform these skills to the right standard? Relevance are the skills you learned elsewhere relevant to your current workplace? Is evidence you are providing appropriate to the unit of competency being claimed? Sufficient is there sufficient evidence to prove you are competent? Transferability is the skill able to be transferred? Can the skill, which you have acquired, be applied in more than one situation? Validity can you demonstrate the skills required? Can you provide evidence that you have these skills? If further evidence is required If the evidence is inadequate for any particular performance criteria or learning outcome, you will be given the opportunity to gather further evidence. The assessor will give you some direction at the assessment interview about suitable evidence you will need. Finalising the assessment decision Your assessor will come to a professional judgement on whether you are competent or not yet competent in the units being assessed. They will provide feedback to you on the outcome and any options required Partial RPL is achieved Your assessor may develop an individual learning plan for you where partial RPL has been achieved. This may include: SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 5 of 16

6 You not having to attend face to face classes but still need to submit assessment tasks, or A combination of class work and assessment tasks to achieve full competency for the unit/module. Credit transfer If you have previously completed this unit of competency in another qualification you need to apply for Credit Transfer rather than RPL. Details of this process are in the Student Handbook. Appeals If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the RPL you may appeal the process by contacting the Training Manager. They will advise you of the reevaluation and appeals process including any fees that may be applicable. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 6 of 16

7 Attachment One: RPL Process Flow Chart Submit application for RPL using the RPL Request Form provided in enrolment pack. Collect and collate evidence based on evidence and performance criteria of the unit of competency. Participate in assessment interview. RPL granted? NO More evidence is required and a further assessment interview may be scheduled. YES formal assessment report provided by Assessor. Student records updated to reflect new fees and RPL outcome. Follow up any further information required by the assessor. RPL granted? YES formal assessment report provided by Assessor. Student records updated to reflect new fees and RPL outcomes. NO Student must complete all learning and assessment requirements of the unit/module. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 7 of 16

8 Attachment Two Evidence Record Template (example) Name of Student: Qualification: Unit/s applied for: CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs Unit information Evidence supplied Further supporting evidence 1. Establish and interpersonal relationship with the client 2. Identify the range of issues impacting on the client 3. Analyse information to determine course of action 4. Refer client to other services to provide additional support. Performance Evidence: Responded holistically to the needs of at least 5 clients. Knowledge Evidence: Legal and ethical considerations for working with clients and how these are applied in an organization Job description Supervisor statement Performance review Diary/journal entries Supervisor statement Performance review Diary/journal entries Supervisor statement Performance review Diary/journal entries Job description Supervisor statement Performance review Diary/journal entries De-identified case notes outlining 5 different clients Weekly reporting document Training certificate Applying legal and ethical considerations to community services I can demonstrate the reporting and referral procedures of the organization. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 8 of 16

9 and individual practice, including: Duty of care Dignity of risk Human rights Discrimination Mandatory reporting Privacy, confidentiality and disclosure Work role boundaries responsibilities and limitations Work health and safety Organization policies and procedures for: Responding to indicators of actual or potential risk of abuse, neglect or harm Collecting and analyzing client information Transitioning or existing a client from the service Identification of the impact of, and interrelationships between issues relating to: Physical health Mental health Child protection Domestic violence Disability Homelessness Unemployment Financial Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) Trauma Culture and religion Organization requirements and referral options for working with people experiencing issues related to: Physical health Mental health Child protection Job description Annual appraisal Organisation s staff code of conduct Job description Child protection policy and procedure Training certificate Identify and respond to children and young people at risk of harm Job description Training certificate Diversity in the workplace Job description De-identified case notes Supervisor report I can provide examples of the organisations policies and procedures that all staff are expected to work within. I have participated in a working group to review and update the organisation s child protection policy. I can show the organisation s referral policy and resource handbook. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 9 of 16

10 Domestic violence Disability Homelessness Unemployment AOD trauma SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 10 of 16

11 Use this index to list all evidence described in the unit outline. Unit/Module Evidence Comments Students can photocopy this page as often as necessary. SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 11 of 16

12 Attachment Three RPL Decision Student Name: Qualification: Units/Modules Assessed: Assessor Name: Date: This form is for completion by the assessor it provides a cover sheet in which details of the final assessment outcome for a candidate and the basis for that decision can be recorded. Once final assessment is completed, assessors should finalise the form by ticking Competent or Not Yet Competent for each unit, signing the declaration and having the candidate also sign the form. The original signed copy will be retained by SMCS and a copy given to the student. Did the student: Yes No Complete initial RPL request form Provide evidence using appropriate template Attend assessment interview Provide any further evidence requested Units of competency Record of RPL assessment processes assessor to initial Initial Evidence Supervisor Assessment Interview Portfolio Report Interview e.g. CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs Final outcome C NYC SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 12 of 16

13 Assessment outcome: The student has completed all requirements for RPL and has been deemed as competent in the units/modules listed above. No further evidence is required. The student has not been assessed as competent in the units/modules listed above and needs to attend and complete all course and assessment work. The student has partially achieved RPL and is required to complete the following to work towards competency in the unit/module. Assessor signature: Date: Final comments: Has feedback been provided to the student? Yes No Student signature: Date: Office use only: Student file updated (date) Student fees updated (date) SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 13 of 16

14 Student notified (date) Class lists updated (if required) (date) SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 14 of 16

15 Attachment Four RPL Request Form Student Name: Qualification: Date: Based on my understanding of the qualification, units and modules of the course I am enrolling in, I wish to apply for: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for the following units/modules OR RPL for the full qualification I understand that I will be required to provide evidence towards this application and attend an assessment interview to determine my eligibility for RPL. Signature of Student: Please note: RPL fees will be calculated once the assessor has determined whether you are suitable for RPL. If you are deemed unsuccessful in your RPL application you will be required to attend all classes and complete all assessment tasks. You are required to submit no later than four weeks before commencement of the relevant unit/module. If you submit this form late SMCS will not be able to proceed with your RPL application. Office use only: Date form received: Assessor name: Date sent to assessor: SMCS RPL procedure v1, 2017 Page 15 of 16

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