Recognition of Prior Learning

Policy Statement

Training Worx will offer recognition of prior learning (RPL) to individual students to
enable the competencies they have acquired through formal, non-formal and informal
learning to be recognised where these align to the units of competency in which
students are enrolled.

Responsible Person / Authority to Change
Chief Executive Officer

Link/s to Regulatory Requirements
Standards for RTOs 2015: Clause 1.12.

Definitions:
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.
 a) 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);

 b) 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
 

c) 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:

1. Recognition of Prior Learning Enquiry
Prior to enrolment or commencement of training, whichever comes first, Training Worx will
provide information to students about the RPL assessment process. Information about RPL
will also be maintained on Training Worx website to encourage those considering enrolment
with Training Worx to enquire about RPL. Once a request for RPL is received Training Worx
will provide a RPL Assessment Kit which has been designed to walk students through the
process and guide them on the evidence required to support their application for RPL. If not
yet enrolled, an enrolment form will also be provided.
 

2. Self-assessment
RPL applicants will complete a self-assessment against the requirements of the units of
competency for which they are seeking recognition. This involves identifying the sort of work
or activities undertaken with an indication of how frequently and how recently this has
occurred. The self-assessment will be submitted to Training Worx with supporting evidence.

3. Supporting evidence
The RPL Assessment Kit will guide applicants in the types of evidence they can provide to
support their claim for recognition. Evidence may include documents such as:

•  memberships of voluntary, professional or industry associations
•  hobbies/interests/special skills outside work that relate to the training course
•  references/letters from previous employers/supervisors/volunteer organisations
•  awards for voluntary services
•  brief résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
•  certificates and records of results
•  licences and tickets, eg forklift, crane
•  industry awards
•  authenticated photographs of work or projects undertaken
•  work diaries/task sheets/job sheets/logbooks
•  site training or competency records
•  third party reports that relate specifically to the units of competency for which recognition is sought
•  any other documentation that may demonstrate experience or support a claim for RPL.

4. Competency conversation
Once the application and supporting evidence have been submitted to Training Worx, an
assessor will be assigned who will conduct a systematic review of the documentary evidence
and arrange a face-to-face meeting for the purpose of gathering oral evidence from the
applicant in relation to the skills and knowledge required by the units of competency. An
outcome of this process may be that in the assessor’s judgement the evidence is not
sufficient to achieve recognition and if no further evidence is available, training options will
be provided to the applicant. If required by the units, the next step is a practical
demonstration of required performance by the applicant.

5. Demonstration of practical tasks
The assessor will observe the applicant undertaking practical assessment tasks required by
the units of competency. If performance does not meet the standard required by the units,
the applicant will be provided with options for gap training to address those aspects not
demonstrated.

6. Award of Statement of Attainment or Qualification
Once all requirements have been met, a Statement of Attainment will be issued to reflect the
units achieved. If all units in a qualification have been achieved through RPL, a qualification
and record of results will be awarded.
RPL flowchart of the process

The flowchart on the following page provides an overview of the RPL assessment process
from a student perspective.

Links to other systems, processes, or documents:
 Assessment policy and procedure
 RPL Assessment Kit
 Website information.

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