Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process, which recognises what you have learnt from:
- Life experience
- Work experience
- Non-accredited/accredited training programs
These experiences are measured against the qualification/unit you are doing or want to do. If what you have learned at work or elsewhere is relevant to your course or qualification, you may not have to do certain units of the qualification again.
How does RPL work?
If you decide to apply for RPL, you will be asked for detail records of your experience, employment, training and other evidence which may be relevant. Part of the process requires you to conduct a self assessment of each performance criteria.
Most importantly, you will need to provide evidence against each of the performance criteria in a unit of competency (i.e. evidence that you have the skills and knowledge outlined in the performance criteria).
You will then have an interview with your trainer who will go through your evidence portfolio with you.
Please note: RPL is awarded for a total unit of competency (no partial RPL of a unit will be awarded).
What is Evidence?
Evidence is the material that you have that is an indicator of your competence. Evidence may be collected via:
- Documentation of practical experiences in the workplace or the community including photo’s newspaper articles, reports etc
- Statements of results from both formal and informal training that you have completed
- Copies of projects that you have undertaken
- Documents you create that link your training and assessment to the units of competency
Your evidence is your proof that you have reached a level of performance that meets that outlined in the unit of competency. This evidence should be current (show that you are still competent), authentic (it is your work) and be at a level of complexity that matches the unit of competency. A variety of evidence allows for sufficient evidence to make the assessment decision. Logically the evidence should be valid-relate directly to the unit of competency.
Note that original documents such as certificates, workplace reports, etc, should be certified copies of the original as we require to keep a copy of the documents permanently on your file. You will usually need to combine several pieces of evidence together to get adequate cover for each unit.
Remember you can use a piece of evidence as many times as you like provided it shows that you have achieved the competencies outlined in the unit in question. This means that a piece of evidence such as a client reference and program can show your competence for more than one unit.
Well thought out portfolios of evidence will get the most out of every piece of evidence used that way, fewer individual pieces of evidence are needed to prove competence.
What is a portfolio of evidence?
A portfolio is a collection of items – in this case, a collection of evidence of competence. Portfolios will usually include a combination of many different types of evidence.
Evidence can take the form of:
- Products or things you have made (eg. Programs, business plans, etc)
- Reports you have written (client assessment reports, etc)
- Statements made by you (advice provided to clients)
- Video or audio tapes (demonstration of your skills)
