Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a great way to gain the qualification you need through an assessment process that assesses your current skills and knowledge by recognising prior and current experience and pointing it towards an industry-recognised qualification.
Whether you have acquired these skills and knowledge from informal training, work history or formal training, NTS offers you an assessment pathway that utilises and recognises your prior learning without completing the whole course.
If you would like to pursue RPL there is a section on our application form for you to indicate your request for RPL. If you are unsure of your eligibility for RPL, you can make an appointment with one of our trainers and assessment to give you an indication of what units of competencies you could apply for recognition of prior learning. RPL cannot be guaranteed as it is assessed on an individual basis, depending on your experience and qualifications. If at any time there is a gap in the evidence provided, we then provide a gap assessment to assist you in an opportunity to fulfil the criteria of the unit of competency and qualification you are applying for.
Yes, you can call National Training Solutions on 1300 161 844, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm. Our staff will be on hand to take your call and may also refer you to an industry trainer who can answer questions..
There is no reduction in the course fee for RPL. While the RPL assessment process reduces the amount of work you need to complete, our assessors must spend considerable time reviewing the evidence you have provided to ensure all elements and criteria of the unit of competency are adequately met.
You will need to look at the units of competencies and the course overview in the course you are enrolling in. You can then reflect on what evidence (work experience and previous formal training) you’ve gained to prove that you have the skills and knowledge covered in the units of competency.
If you are successful in your RPL application, it provides you with acknowledgement of your current skills and knowledge.
Benefits:
You may have the experience you have gained in your current or previous employment and you may have volunteered at your local organisation/community centre, this can count towards your application. The previous formal study may also contribute to your application. It is important that any work and life experience you have is relevant to the units/subjects for which you are applying for recognition and can be verified.
Your Trainer and Assessor will be looking at the quality of your evidence submitted, rather than the quantity of evidence that you provide. For your application to be successful you must remember that the evidence you supply will need to demonstrate to the assessor that you have the required skills and knowledge that meets the standards identified in the criteria for the unit. You must be able to verify that the skills / knowledge / experience in your application are genuine and the evidence you are presenting is your own work. Any copies of original qualifications, certificates or documents you submit must be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP).
The evidence that you provide for your RPL assessment must comply with the rules of evidence from the Australian Quality Training Framework. This means that you must ensure that the evidence is Current you must be able to show that your skills are up-to-date and that you could demonstrate these now if required. Evidence that is not current must be supported by up-to-date evidence of your continued application of the relevant competencies.
Throughout the RPL process, there may be times when you need support and would like to ask questions and advice. You will be assigned and assessors that will be there to support you, ask questions and lead you through the RPL process. You can meet with the trainer face to face or via a teleconference.
It is possible to apply for recognition for an entire qualification or for one or more units of competency. Remember, you need to have the necessary evidence for the units of competency you are applying for. It is possible to use the same piece of evidence for several units of competency if it is relevant to the requirements.
You will gain access to our online assessment platform. This RPL system will assist you through the process in a sequential format to ensure you have opportunity to present your evidence according to each assessment criteria. Your assessor will be available to answer any of your questions and to support you in your application.
