Recognition of prior learning and Skills First
Benefits
Five steps to recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning, also referred to as RPL or recognition of current competencies, is the formal recognition of a person's current skills and knowledge, no matter how, when 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.
Recognition of prior learning suits people who have industry relevant:
- work skills or knowledge
- paid or unpaid work experience
- life experience
- community work experience.
Recognition of prior learning 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.
The Queensland Government is driving a new approach to recognition of prior learning through the Skills First initiative. Skills First encourages the recognition of a person's knowledge and skills before their training commences. This avoids people being trained in areas where they are already skilled, making training faster and more rewarding.
Benefits
Recognition of prior learning can save time in getting a qualification and avoid unnecessary training.
It can also benefit you in other areas of your life, for example:
- improved job security
- re-entry to the workforce
- job promotion
- career change or improvement
- moving from volunteer work to paid employment
- moving on from redundancy or unemployment
- reduced study load
- improved career development
- entry to further education or training courses
- better planning of future training.
Five steps to recognition of prior learning
If you wish to have your existing skills formally recognised, there are five steps you need to follow:
- Contact a registered training organisation. Find your local TAFE Institute or find a private registered training provider through the National Training Information Service (enter the name of the qualification you are seeking, tick the 'qualifications' box and click 'search'). Or get in touch with Skilling Solutions Queensland, a face-to-face training and career information service.
- Consider what evidence you already have that demonstrates your skills and knowledge. You must be able to show your skills are current and meet industry standards. Examples of evidence could include:
- work samples
- practical demonstrations in the workplace
- assessment interviews
- references and support from your supervisors or others in the community
- a variety of materials including training certificates, photos of work examples, a resume, or performance reviews.
- Talk to the registered training organisation's assessor about how your skills can be assessed. This might involve interviews, observation and questioning, formal trade tests, work samples or presenting other documentation. Ideally a combination of assessment types should be used.
- Check the cost of recognition or prior learning with the registered training organisation.
- If your skills match those required in a particular job or industry and can be verified, you may choose to apply for your skills to be formally recognised.
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