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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy & Procedure – (Clause 1.12)

Posted
Updated
ByAlexander Mueller

ASSOCIATED STANDARDS / CLAUSES: 

  • STANDARD 1, CLAUSE 1.8 – ASSESSMENT

 

Definition of Recognition of Prior Learning

 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means an assessment process that assesses the competency/s of an individual that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual meets the requirements specified in the training package or VET-accredited courses.

  1. formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma or university degree);
  2. non-formal learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction, but does not lead to the attainment of an AQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in-house professional development programs conducted by a business); and 
  3. informal learning refers to learning that results through experience of work-related, social, family, hobby or leisure activities (for example the acquisition of interpersonal skills developed through several years as a sales representative).

 

NOTE: It is essentially an assessment only pathway in the VET system, whereby supplementary evidence, once verified, may be used in replacement of the student having to complete the standard assessment for a particular unit of competence.

 

1. Purpose

  1. This policy and procedure defines the process of applying for and granting Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

 

2. Responsibility

  1. The Training Manager is responsible for the implementation of this procedure and for ensuring that staff and students are aware of its application and that staff implement its requirements.

 

3. Requirements

  1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must be structured to minimise the time to applicants whilst retaining the integrity required by RTO standards to recognise competencies in accordance with the requirements of Training Packages or Curriculum documents, the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence.
  2. Intelligent Training Solutions must ensure that any RPL applicant is provided with:
    1. Information about the units and performance criteria relevant to their RPL application;
    2. Adequate information and support to enable them to gather reliable evidence of competency;
    3. Opportunities to obtain feedback on the evidence proposed prior to the finalisation of the RPL application.
  3. Competencies for which RPL is being requested may have been developed through formal education and training, work experience or training, or life experiences.
  4. Qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other Registered Training Organisation must be recognised in the RPL process once verified as true and correct.
  5. A written statement from an appropriate supervisory person is required to confirm authorship of any work submitted.
  6. It is accepted that RPL is an assessment of an individual’s current knowledge, skills and attitudes, even though the evidence produced supporting the claim for RPL may be drawn from the past. It is up to the RPL assessor to judge whether the evidence produced demonstrates current competency in accordance with the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence.
  7. Students eligible for Mutual Recognition (Credit Transfer) must not be required to undertake an RPL process. Refer to the Mutual Recognition (Credit Transfer) procedure.

 

4. Definitions

  1. In this procedure, ‘unit’ encompasses Units of Competency from a Training Package and Modules from an accredited course.

 

5. Procedure

  1. Intelligent Training Solutions Assessment Policy and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy is to be followed when undertaking RPL assessments
  2. RPL applications can be made using the I.T.S enrolment form, the student RPL application form, or via a direct request by the student to a program coordinator. An enrolment officer will then be assigned to collect general information about the applicant’s background and arrange an RPL interview.NOTE: An I.T.S Enrolment Officer or subject matter expert will conduct the RPL interview with the applicant. During this interview, the applicant will receive a unit RPL Document (RPL Kit) for each unit they wish to apply for RPL.* The Enrolment Officer will use the RPL interview and the RPL documents (RPL Kit) to engage in a competency conversation. For more information, keep reading…
  3. During the RPL interview, the applicant and the Enrolment Officer will engage in a competency conversation to maximise the candidate’s opportunities to demonstrate competence.NOTE: This is NOT an oral exam. It is about using two or three holistic questions to start a conversation with the candidate, drawing out their individual experiences and relevant skills. In other words, it is about the Enrolment Officer/Subject matter expert probing the candidate through a conversation to draw out further information on the candidate’s experience, which may not be forthcoming due to nerves or confusion over technical terminology. The RPL document uses a unit’s criteria, converted into observable tasks, allowing candidates to demonstrate skills.
    1. During the RPL interview, an Enrolment Officer will explain the RPL process to the applicant.
    2. Review the units the applicant is considering applying for.
    3. Review the evidence the applicant has to support the RPL applicant; and
    4. Provide advice to the applicant on how to collect and present their evidence to support their application.
  4. Should the applicant wish to proceed with the RPL application, the completed RPL documents, together with the relevant supporting evidence, must be forwarded to the Program Coordinator or Training Manager.
  5. At this stage, the Enrolment Officer must assist the applicant in completing the required Enrolment Forms and, if relevant, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). This process will invoke the enrolment processing procedure whereby an invoice will be raised for the applicant.
  6. Intelligent Training Solutions will review the RPL application and advise the RPL applicant which units the College considers RPL is applicable to and the reason why.
  7. The remaining procedure may be enacted once the enrolment fee has been paid.
  8. A copy of the student RPL application form and all verified supporting documentation will be placed on the student portfolio.
  9. The RPL applicant will be given an opportunity to amend their RPL application if they so choose.
     
    NOTE: Whatever the College view, it is entirely the applicant’s decision as to which units they will submit an RPL application for.
     
  10. Once the RPL application has been reviewed and finalised, Intelligent Training Solutions will appoint qualified assessors to:
    1. Arrange the RPL assessment schedule with the applicant;
    2. Conduct the RPL assessments by:
      1. using the evidence of competency provided by the applicant and matching the evidence against the unit elements, performance criteria, skills, knowledge, range statement and evidence guide; identify areas of competency which, in the assessor’s opinion are met by the evidence provided;
      2. as a corollary of step 1) identifying competency, knowledge or skill gaps in the evidence provided by the candidate and providing guidance and an opportunity for the candidate to supply additional evidence of competency;
      3. using components of the I.T.S Assessment Tools to provide evidence of competency where gaps still remain. The components of the assessment tools to be used in this step will be determined by the remaining gaps in competency identified by the assessor and using the assessment mapping tool available for each unit to identify the relevant components of the College assessment tools.
    3. When evidence gathered is outside the parameters and response guide of I.T.S’s Assessment Tools, as in step 1) above, the assessor is to:
      1. amend the unit assessment mapping document to map the new evidence provided by the RPL applicant
      2. record details of the new evidence provided on the RPL Document (RPL Kit).
      3. note on the Assessment Tool’s Assessment Summary / Cover Sheet that additional evidence has been gathered, recorded on the RPL Documents and mapped on the assessment mapping document for the unit.
  11. Ensure the Principles of Assessment and the Rules of Evidence are followed in undertaking the RPL assessments;
  12. Complete the assessment forms for each unit;
  13. Provide feedback to the applicant for each assessment outcome;
  14. Complete and sign the Student result sheet indicating the assessment outcome for each unit;
  15. Advise the Program Coordinator or Training Manager of the outcome of the RPL assessment application. Further information or an interview with the student may be required before the evaluation of the application is completed.
  16. Students will be advised promptly of the decision and required to sign and date the record of RPL granted on the RPL documents.
  17. RPL application documentation, assessment processes and outcomes will be placed in the applicant’s portfolio.
  18. Granting of RPL must be recorded as a unit outcome in the student’s file within Wise.Net.
  19. Student’s individual training plans (PDS) will be adjusted to reflect any RPL granted.
  20. Students may use the I.T.S appeal procedures if dissatisfied with the outcome of their RPL applications.

 

6. RPL Enrolment Fees

  1. Intelligent Training Solutions does not discount the enrolment fee for an RPL application unless stated in a qualification’s PDS. An RPL application requires that:
    1. A staff member be engaged for an RPL interview – Approximately 30 to 60 minutes per unit.
    2. A staff member be engaged for the enrolment process – Approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the qualification/unit.
    3. A staff member be engaged to verify the supporting evidence provided by the applicant – This process could take days.
    4. A staff member from the administration team is engaged to process the applicant’s RPL documents and enrolment on the Wise.Net Student Management System.
    5. A staff member be engaged to create and upload all documentation to the student portfolio.
    6. A staff member be engaged to assess and sign off on the student’s RPL.
    7. A staff member from the administration team is engaged to finalise the applicant’s results and issue the relevant award.   
  2. Once the RPL application is finalised by the student, the RPL fee paid is not refundable.

 

7. Revision History

REVISION  DATE DESCRIPTION OF MODIFICATION
1 October 2012
  • Original
2 October 2018
  • Update to procedure. (Improved wording)
3 June 2023
  • Major updates to the procedure to better reflect what is being implemented.
  • Policy and Procedure moved online
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