Recognition of Prior Learning is a form of assessment that is used to determine whether a person has acquired through formal or informal learning, skills and experience consistent with the stated competency standards that comprise a qualification. RPL is not time referenced so there are no parameters on when or how you acquired the skills, though you must show currency. In addition, the skills that you have acquired through life experience must be current and must match the stated competency elements and performance criteria contained in the Units of Competency.
The RPL process involves providing valid evidence that demonstrates conclusively that you do in fact possess the necessary skills and knowledge being assessed. When you have provided this evidence it is compared with the competency standards and the RPL assessor will determine whether sufficient evidence had been provided. The onus is wholly on the candidate to provide the evidence.
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.
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)
For more information and to receive an application form for RPL, please fill in your details below and send. Someone will contact you within 24-48 hours.