Welcome to JTI Recognition of Prior Learning Page

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of prior learning is the process that recognizes a student’s current skills and experience regardless of where and when 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. You could have your existing knowledge and skills formally recognized and credited towards a qualification.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

Usually, you will have developed and demonstrated your skills and knowledge through a combination of your work, learning and life experiences. Recognition of prior learning, also referred to as RPL, is the formal acknowledgement of a person’s current skills and knowledge, no matter how, when or where the learning occurred.
Anyone wishing to undertake an entire qualification or individual unit of competency can apply for RPL.

The recognition gained may considerably reduce the study time and cost associated with pursuing a qualification or unit of competency.
RPL Process at a Glance

The following steps need to be followed if you want to get a Recognition of Prior Learning:
Step one: Decide on the learning, work experience and training you want recognition for. Your skills and knowledge could give you a head start on a qualification for a job you have an interest in.
Step two: Get some advice on careers in the industry. It is important to seek recognition for qualifications that will be of benefit to you. For information on jobs and careers visit:
• www.jobguide.deewr.gov.au
• www.jobjuice.gov.au
Step three: Think about how you will demonstrate your skills and knowledge for the RPL process.

Your knowledge and skills are assessed against units of competency within the qualification you want to achieve. The following are taken into account during RPL assessments:
• Your performance in paid and unpaid work experience.
• Results from formal or informal training and education.
You will need to produce verifiable, recent evidence of your training, education and work experience. This evidence will include:
• Type of work performed
• Any responsibilities held in the past
• Any courses attended during work history and copies of certificates received.
• Materials covered during these trainings and samples of the materials
• Letters from previous employers
• Proof of any informal training
• Technical referees and
• Any other information that may be relevant to proving your competency.
Some of the ways in which this evidence may be obtained include:
• A competency conversation – This conversation with an assessor, will give you an opportunity to explain your knowledge and experiences.
• A workplace visit – In some cases a visit to your workplace may be possible so you can demonstrate your abilities.
• A selection of examples – You may have written examples of your knowledge, experience and abilities that may include:
i. Work examples/photos of work you have done
ii. Training certificates
iii. Your résumé
iv. Performance reviews and materials.

You will also need to provide contact details of people who can confirm your abilities. These people might be work place supervisors or anyone who has seen your skills and knowledge applied effectively.
Step three: Speak to a Job Training Institute staff member to schedule RPL sessions with a qualified Job Training Institute assessor.
Step four: Carry all relevant evidence (please refer to Assessing RPL below for more information on this) to your RPL sessions. Make your best efforts to ensure that the evidence carried to your sessions is sufficient to prove current skills and experience in the qualification being pursued.
Confidentiality in the RPL Process

Please note that confidentiality is an extremely important part of the RPL process. It is important that sensitive information is not disclosed. You should:

• Obtain authorisation to use evidence.

• Remove sensitive names and figures if necessary.

• Mark documents as confidential and not to be photocopied.

If there is confidential information that cannot be included, note this in your application and your course co-coordinator will look at it only if necessary.

Assessing RPL

From the assessor’s standpoint, when deciding whether you may already have competency in a unit of competency, the following must be considered:

• Is your prior learning relevant to the course?
• Is your knowledge and skill current? (Some fields of study change so rapidly that a skill achieved in the past may no longer be relevant or acceptable)
• Is it transferable? A skill should be applicable to a number of settings and situations
• Is it authentic? You have to provide evidence, or demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skill
• Is your knowledge and skill appropriate to the level of the unit of competency or course?
• Are the sources of evidence credible and verifiable?

Job Training Institute training and assessment staff will guide you and assist you in identifying whether you have provided sufficient evidence for a Recognition of Prior Learning.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in their RPL process have a right to formally appeal any RPL assessment, through Job Training Institute appeals process.

Click HERE to contact us and find out how our Trainers and Assessor can assist you in this process.

Don’t forget to collect and compile all relevant information about your life, educational and occupational experiences that can be used as evidence of your competency.