Recognition of Prior Learning Information Sheet

Transcription

1 Recognition of Prior Learning Information Sheet What is Recognition of Prior Learning? Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), also known as Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC), is the formal recognition of a person s current skills and knowledge, no matter how or where the learning occurred. Even if you have never formally studied or trained in a particular area, you may have gained knowledge and skills through your education, training, work and life experience. RPL suits people who have industry relevant: Work skills or knowledge Paid or unpaid work experience Life experience (such as hobbies, sport and leisure activities) Community work experience RPL could provide you with a full or part qualification, and avoid duplication of training. It could be used to identify what training you may need to complete a qualification or provide a pathway to higher qualifications. What does RPL cost? Where students are accessing Government funding to contribute to or pay for their course of study, the full student contribution fees are due in accordance with the specific funding arrangement. Where a student has entered into a fee for service (FFS) arrangement with Strategix, the fees will be calculated as per below. A deposit will be required to be paid before the commencement of the RPL process. The deposit will total 20% of the course cost or $300 (whichever is greater). Result RPL Applied RPL Not Applied or Training Required Cost 75% of subject cost* 100% of subject cost* *Certificate 3 Guarantee and Higher Level Skills students: Co-contribution fees are not discounted for standard RPL, however, if you are applying for RPL for a superseded subject, you may be eligible to have those subjects fees waived due to department requirements for outcome 65 Transitional Gap Training.

2 How do I apply for RPL? Firstly, you will need to carefully read through this guide to ensure that you are familiar with the RPL process and understand the requirements that will determine your eligibility for RPL. Step Details 1. Identify suitability for RPL Determine suitability by completing the skills test (attached) Conversation with student: 2. Discussion with Assessor 3. Payment 4. Issued with RPL Kit 5. Complete RPL Application 6. Competency Conversations 7. Submit RPL Application 8. RPL Application Assessed 9. Feedback provided (if required) 10. Gap Training (if applicable) 11. Outcome Awarded To identify RPL eligibility To outline entire RPL process. Payment must be made prior to the RPL kit being supplied: Issue purchase order (if applicable) Pay Invoice Once payment has been received you will be issued with the RPL kit to complete Create Evidence Portfolio collect and collate documents and evidence List the qualifications you hold (relevant to the application) List collected evidence portfolio Map evidence to subject s assessment criteria Complete student self-appraisal. Conducts Competency Conversations with recent employer Conducts Competency Conversations with student. Sign Record of Result declaration Applicant to submit RPL Application with supporting documentation. The assessor assesses RPL Application and evidence provided Feedback provided via or the outcome is awarded. An opportunity to provide additional evidence to strengthen application. Gap training will be required if applicant is unable to meet the elements and performance criteria for each subject and the skills required as a minimum in the relevant industry. After successful assessment of RPL and/or the completion of any gap training, the qualification or subjects will be awarded.

3 Completing the RPL Kit Once you have been provided with the RPL Kit you will be required to: List any relevant qualifications and/or statements of attainments that support your application Create an Evidence Portfolio containing: o Resume o Qualification/s o Self-appraisal o Any other relevant documentation to support your claim from the types of evidence list in this document Map your evidence to each individual subject s assessment criteria Complete a self-appraisal Participate in a competency conversation with the assessor Provide employer/s to have a competency conversation with the assessor Complete declarations. Supporting Evidence The supporting evidence to demonstrate that you have the required level of competency in the subject/s that you are seeking recognition for. The term evidence applies to anything you produce to verify your skills, knowledge and experience, and must be matched to the elements and performance criteria of a subject. The evidence that you provide for your RPL assessment must comply with the rules of evidence. This means that you must ensure that the evidence is: Valid You must provide evidence that satisfies all requirements of the subject Relevant The skills / knowledge / experience that you are claiming to have, should relate directly to the relevant subject and be at a comparable standard; Current you must be able to show that your skills are up-to-date and that you could demonstrate these now if required, a general guideline is less than two years old. Evidence that is older than two years must be supported by up-to-date evidence of your continued application of the relevant competence; Authentic you must be able to verify that the skills / knowledge / experience in your application are genuine and the evidence you are presenting is your own work. A verification may be required from the issuing RTO of any certification submitted as evidence; Sufficient You must provide sufficient evidence for the assessor to determine your level of competency There are various types of evidence that you can provide (dependent on what is most appropriate and relevant to the subject), which can be gathered from a number of sources. Types of Evidence The types of evidence that you can collect and present are: 1. Direct Evidence Anything that you have either produced yourself or for which you have been primarily responsible i.e. correspondence; business reports. You will need to provide two to four examples of each type of evidence to show that you have done this type of work over a period of

4 time. It is important to verify your work as your own by getting your supervisor to authorise the evidence that you have been submitted. Workplace observation Demonstration of skill Samples of work Materials or tools you work with Referee s report Video Audio files Photos Published works such as operational manuals Work samples, which may include but not limited to: diaries, task sheets, job sheets, logbooks, performance appraisals, work plans and projects Hobbies or interests that relate to the outcomes of the subject elements. 2. Indirect Evidence Information about you to support your claim for RPL. This evidence should provide details about your duties, experience and responsibilities that are relevant to the learning outcomes or competencies of the subject and also demonstrate the level of skill by you in your work. Industry Awards Job specifications or position descriptions, accompanied by verification of employment Curriculum Vitae or Resume Rosters or timesheets Budgets Visual presentations or written speeches Letters or memos from your workplace Reference/ or letters of support / appreciation Evidence of committee work Reading lists Membership of relevant professional associations Workplace training records witness testimony or third party reports, this is indirect evidence about yourself, and could include statements from other people (i.e. managers, supervisors, previous employers, customers or colleagues) Policies, procedures and workplace documentation Evaluation forms/ feedback sheets Copy of organisation s Induction Program undertaken by candidate. 3. Historical Evidence This evidence requires you to provide evidence of past assignments, achievements and or/items completed by you that are relevant to the learning outcomes or competencies of the subject Written references from past employers Log books and other records of performance Accredited Certificates or qualifications Non-Accredited Certificates Evidence of in-house courses, workshops, seminars Workplace awards/ prizes/ certificates Letters of support/ appreciation Assignments, reports and documentation from previous courses undertaken

5 Past competency based assessments Record of academic results Scrap books Magazine or newspaper articles about your work Course attendance record Relevant industry licences i.e. Blue Card, driver s licences. How much evidence do I need to provide? Your Assessor will be looking at the quality of the evidence submitted, rather than the quantity. For your application to be successful the evidence you supply will need to demonstrate to the assessor that you have the required skills and knowledge that meets the standards identified in the performance criteria for the subject and the evidence will also need to be verified by the assessor. International Students Within 14 days after the Award of RPL if it results in the shortening of the student s course Strategix will: a. if the course credit is granted before the student visa grant, indicate the actual net course duration (as reduced by course credit) in the confirmation of enrolment issued for that student for that course; or b. If the course credit is granted after the student visa grant, Strategix will notify The Department of Education and Training and The Department of Home Affairs of the change of course duration.

6 Skills Test RPL applicants should ask themselves the following questions and if they answer yes to them they are suitable candidates for RPL. Question? Guide Details Which qualification are you wanting to RPL? Identify the qualification which best suites your requirements on My Skills Look up your qualification on training.gov.au (use qualification code) Identify specific requirements for the qualification (Qualification description) Do you have any previous study that may be similar to the course you wish to complete? Have you completed a Certificate, diploma or degrees that may be relevant? Have you completed any short courses that may be relevant? Have you completed any of the subjects previously? Can you provide a certificate or Statement of Attainment? Do you have what is required? Y N Have you got any recent experience (Voluntary/paid) in the industry of the qualification you are trying to achieve? Must have been within the last within the past 2 years Was the work consistent work/experience in the specified industry Sufficient work/experience (EG, min 2 years in the industry) Relevant roles specific to the qualification Can you provide evidence of this? Do you have what is required? Y N