RPL's are becoming a much greater part of of training
due to the skill shortages in many industries
RPL is assessment. It possesses all the same requirements as assessment except that this is assessment withoutthe need for tuition. Put simply, RPL is a record of skills and knowledge which has been gained previously; perhaps in another job, formal and/or informal training, in work experience, or in life experience. They are assessed, reguardless of where, when or how the learning occurred.
RPL involves collecting evidence, and judging whether competency has been achieved. It does not mean that assessment will be easier.
The assessor must be cinfident that the client is being assessed against current endoursed industry standards. It may be found that a learner can achieve a full qualification by the RPL process, but it is more often that a percentage of the qualification is assessed as competent.
The client may have a portfolio of 'hard copy' evidence to support their application for RPL. While this can be beneficial in many instances, it can also be flexible assessment.
However, it must be seen as an option to enhance the requirements for a fair and flexible assessment
RPL must be appropriate to the unit of competency being assessed, just like other forms of assessment.
There are potential hazards in RPL, but these will be eliminated as long as the current process is chosen.
Liaise closely with your assessor and let him/her guide you. Options must be as broad as possible to give the learner the best chance of achieving competence and success.
At the Virginia Horticulture Centre we enforce our Access and Equity policy stringently to ensure that learners are given the best opportunity to succees by using the most appropriate means of assessment for the learnet.
We provide a level playing field for everyone.
Our assessors are qualified, and experienced in the Horticulture industry covering a very wide range of areas.
RPL is a wonderful tool which can be integral to the success of the client
