Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
Table of Contents
Policy Statement
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses the competency 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 for accredited courses.
Policy Scope
The availability of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) provides all potential students with access to credit opportunities.
The recognition of a prior learning pathway is appropriate for potential students who have previously attained skills and knowledge and who, when enrolling in qualifications, seek to shorten the duration of their training and either continue or commence working.
As with all assessments, RPL assessment should be undertaken by academic staff with expertise in the subject, content of skills area, as well as knowledge of and expertise in RPL assessment policies and procedures.
Assessment methods used for RPL should provide a range of ways for potential students to demonstrate that they have met the required outcomes and can be granted credit.
Definitions
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process which determines the credit outcomes of an individual application for credit.
Formal Learning
Formal Learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction and is linked to the attainment of an RQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, a certificate, diploma, or university degree).
Non-Formal Learning
Non-Formal Learning refers to learning that takes place through a structured program of instruction but does not lead to the attainment of an RQF qualification or statement of attainment (for example, in-house professional development programs conducted by a business).
Informal Learning
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).
Procedure
Care College will offer Recognition of Prior Learning to individual learners prior to enrolling them at Care College.
In a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway, the enrolled student provides current, quality evidence of their competency against the relevant unit of competency. This process may be directed by the student and verified by the assessor. Where the outcomes of this process indicate that the candidate is competent, structured training is not required. The RPL requirements of the Learning Outcomes must be met.
As with all assessments, the assessor must be confident that the evidence indicates that the candidate is currently competent against the endorsed unit of competency. The onus is on students to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy assessors that they currently hold the relevant competencies.
RPL Process Steps
All students wishing to enroll in a qualification on Care College’s Scope of Registration will be required to follow the RPL process:
STEP 1
- Prior to enrolling a student, Care College will ensure that each student completes the RPL documentation so that Care College can determine the amount of training they will provide to each student with regard to their existing skills, knowledge, and experience.
- This document will provide an overview of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an assessment process that assesses the competency of a student that may have been acquired through formal, non-formal, and/or informal learning (or a combination of these) to determine the extent to which that student meets the requirements specified in the relevant accredited course.
- The students will also be informed about potential administration costs related to the RPL Process.
STEP 2
- Care College will arrange a brief meeting with the student to determine whether or not the RPL process, on a unit-by-unit basis, is applicable for the student.
- During this meeting, if the student believes they can provide evidence of any of the above types of learning, the Care College Assessor will outline what specific evidence the student will need to provide and timeframes for the provision of this evidence so that RPL can be granted.
STEP 3
The student will be required to provide evidence of any formal learning, non-formal, or informal learning to the Assessor by the agreed date for submission. After reviewing the evidence, the Assessor will either grant or not grant RPL on a unit-by-unit basis. To complete the process, the Assessor and student will both sign and date the RPL document which outlines the outcome of the assessment process as well as advising the student of Care College’s Appeals process if they are dissatisfied with any assessment outcome.
STEP 4
Care College’s Assessor will advise Care College’s Administrative Department of the outcomes of the RPL Assessment process for a particular student so that Care College can begin the enrolment process. All RPL documentation must be retained in the student’s individual file.
Requirements of Care College Assessor
- Care College assessors who conduct RPL assessments against individual units of competency will hold formal recognition of competence in each unit in which they are conducting an RPL assessment or have the relevant vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed.
- It is their judgment that will certify that an RPL candidate has provided all the required evidence of competency to the standard required.
- The assessor must be confident that the evidence indicates that the RPL candidate is currently competent against the endorsed unit of competency.
This evidence may take a variety of forms (direct, indirect, or supplementary evidence) with the onus being on the candidate to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the assessor that they currently hold the relevant competencies.
Appeals
If a student wishes to appeal any of the RPL decisions made by their assessor, they have the right to access Care College’s Appeals Procedure within twenty working days of the communication advising them that the RPL has not been granted for any unit of competency.
