Why RPL and Occupational Qualifications?

Firstly, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is one of the assessment processes in the National Qualification Framework (NQF) system of assessment by which to fast-track achievement access. RPL practices apply to all NQF sub-Frameworks.

In all Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF)’s occupational interventions RPL is a means by which to realise

1. Access entry for learning and further career development
2. Credit towards a qualification or modular achievement

RPL Forms in the OQSF?

The above two are as well different RPL forms mainstreamed in the OQSF

In relations to implementation of an occupational qualifications:

1. Access RPL – where candidate learner is helped by reviewing his/ her non and informal learning knowledge evidence including experiential portfolios aiming to qualify him/her to gain learning entry of the learning programme at hand.
2. Credit RPL – is inclusive of above Access RPL intentions and equate by assessing the candidate’s learner’s non, informal learning knowledge evidence including experiential portfolio to a module achievement. This applies across all occupational learning modules.

All these RPL forms are applicable to candidate learners pursuing achievement of a trade or occupational certificate or professional designate. When all RPL forms are done  the candidate learner is subject to sit for a Final Integrated Summative Assessment (FISA) or External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) depending on OQSF pursued intervention.

Who can Implement RPL for Achievement?

1. A QCTO accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) in learning programme a candidate learner is pursuing
2. A QCTO Accredited Trade Test Centre in trade programme a candidate artisan is pursuing
3. A workplace learning provider

All require to have an RPL mechanisms in place prior execution to guide and account of their RPL implementation.