Recognition of Prior learning

ETQA - Recognition of Prior Learning 

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

RPL is an integral part of the skills development process as it is the ideal tool to assess competence and pave the way to training interventions that lead to qualifications.
RPL offers numerous benefits: 

Individuals	Employers	Providers
• recognition of existing skills, competences, expertise and knowledge; • access to qualifications based on the learning and experience already gained; • a stepping stone to further development and a careerpath; • an assessment of what needs to be learnt to achieve a qualification; • a basis for future career plans; • increased confidence; • access to higher job levels requiring qualifications; • access to employment opportunities requiring qualifications.	• a cost effective method of recognising existing skills and learning; • reduction in training costs: • detailed employee learning and competence inventory assist in planning of training and other initiatives; • direct involvement in employee qualification process; • assistance in planning individual training needs; • the opportunity to develop a better qualified workforce, which boosts competitiveness	• access to a new assessment market; • learning opportunities; • assistance in identifying new learning markets; • a stronger role in society.

SASSETA has compiled an RPL operational strategy discussion paper that sets out the need for RPL, the opportunities, benefits, risks and rewards, and the methodology. An RPL policy document has also been completed that establishes SASSETA’s role in the RPL process.
* Stakeholders are invited to comment on these documents before the practical systems are set up to implement the strategies and policy. In this way, we will ensure that the processes and policies being mooted will meet the needs of all sub-sectors

ETQA FAQ

What is quality assurance within the skills development context?

It is an evaluation and monitoring process that ensures quality within a system of service delivery, to provide the receiver of the service the best possible result. It is essential to the achievement of the National Skills Development Strategy, as it ensures that training provision is of a consistently high standard.

What role does a SETA play in this?

Every sector education and training authority (SETA) is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as an ETQA (education and training quality assurance body). In this capacity, it is able to:

• Accredit constituent education and training providers to ensure high-quality learning and assessment, and enable learners to achieve standards and qualifications registered on the national qualifications framework (NQF).
• Training providers who offer courses that do not lead to a formal qualification may also apply to have the quality of the content of their courses recognised.
• Evaluate learning programmes to ensure that learning outcomes align with the unit standards and qualifications defined by the NQF.
• Quality assure learner achievements to ensure that competent learners who receive credits against a unit standard or qualification have met the required outcomes and that assessments have been valid, fair and reliable.
• Register constituent assessors to assess whether specified primary focus NQF standards and qualifications have been achieved.
• Accredit education, training and development (ETD) practitioners, so that individuals delivering education and training in the sector are competent.
• Develop providers to promote quality and build capacity.

• For the assessment of non-primary focus unit standards in the sector, SASSETA enters into memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the relevant ETQA, in terms of which the latter quality assures the non primary focus standards.
• For example, training of catering staff in a security business would be quality assured by the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority.

• operate in SASSETA’s primary focus;
• not be accredited by another ETQA;
• be registered in terms of applicable legislation;
• have in place an acceptable quality management system (QMS);
• be able to develop, deliver and evaluate learning programmes that culminate in registered unit standards or qualifications;
• have financial, administrative and physical resources
• have policies and practices for:
o staff selection, appraisal and development;
o learner entry, guidance and development;
o management of off-site/worksite practical components of learning;
o management of assessment;
• have the necessary reporting procedures.

• comply with all legal and registration requirements specific to the sector;
• possess the NQF unit standard or qualification for ETD practitioners
• have the relevant industry experience in the learning programme(s) offered;
• have a qualification at least one level higher than the qualification offered.

• have five years’ relevant occupational experience;
• possess the generic assessor standard ‘plan and conduct assessment of learning outcome’;
• have a relevant occupational qualification;
• be a competent communicator;
• be competent in the unit standards or qualification offered, at or above the NQF level involved

• be a registered assessor for the qualification and standards in which he or she will moderate;
• possess the generic assessor standard’ moderate assessment’;
• have a relevant occupational qualification;
• be a competent communicator;
• be competent in the unit standards or qualifications offered, at or above the NQF level involved

Page Created: Friday, October 17, 2008