RPL and Credit Transfer Policy
INTRODUCTION
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Policy was formulated cognisant of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 and the obligation on the RTO to provide for RPL and award credit transfer where a learner has completed one or more units of competency from a qualification.
SCOPE AND APPLICATION
The policy is applicable to all employees of the College, learners and/or prospective learners. It applies to all requests for recognition of prior learning (RPL) as a form of assessment of a learner’s competence. It also applies to the granting of credit for studies completed at an RTO or any other authorised issuing organisation, such as a secondary school or university. Where a learner has already completed a unit or units of competency in which they are enrolled, they are entitled to credit transfer upon substantiation.
The policy does not apply to other assessment practices within the College’s assessment system. This policy does not imply that an application for RPL or credit will be successful.
OVERVIEW
The College’s primary purpose is the provision of quality vocational education and training programs to learners.
To specify the conditions under which the College will apply its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Policy to recognise learners’ past qualifications and experience.
The College will apply this policy consistently and fairly across all programs and any learner enrolled into a program at the College.
POLICY
The College’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer Policy was formulated to ensure that all assessment, including RPL, complies with the assessment requirements of the relevant training package or qualification and is conducted in accordance with the Principles of Assessment (fairness, flexibility, validity and reliability) and Rules of Evidence (validity, sufficiency, authenticity and currency).
The College recognises that, regardless of the mode of delivery or engagement, all assessment must meet the same standards. The College understands that, as with other forms of assessment, RPL assessment must be undertaken by qualified assessors with currency in the unit/s, as well as knowledge of and expertise in RPL processes.
The amount of industry experience required by a learner is dependent on the specific industry. To qualify for RPL, we require all applicants to have a minimum of 3-5 years working in the industry. This timeframe may be reduced if approved by the CEO of the College at the time of making application.
The College reserves the right to refuse RPL on units of competency that are relevant to job functions subject to a high level of legislative oversight and/or licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.
All potential RPL candidates must indicate their desire to RPL during the enrolment process with all requests received by trainer within 30 days of enrolment. Any requests received outside of this time may not be accepted.
If a learner intends to seek RPL or credit transfer, they must advise their trainer during the welcome call to ensure the process can be explained in full and to ensure the learner is fully informed.
Should a learner seek RPL, they will be required to complete all assessment, theory and practical, without the need to present a range of documentary evidence or participate in lengthy competency conversations. This process eliminates the need to repeat formal learning and progress directly into the assessment phase to demonstrate that the learner holds current skills and knowledge.
Evidence of the application of skills must be verified or demonstrated in the workplace under the direction of a qualified supervisor. Learners will be provided with a Third Party Evidence Collection Booklet/Placement Booklet to gather the required evidence and have their supervisor verify.
Credit transfer is a process of recognition whereby the learner has already completed a unit of competency and been awarded Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certification, eliminating the need to repeat formal learning and assessment.
Credit transfer (CT) uses formal evidence such as a Statement of Attainment or qualification and Statement of Results from a RTO before commencing their training with the College. Once verified with the issuing RTO, credit is awarded. Alternately, the learner can give the College permission to access their USI Registry information to confirm available credit transfers.
In order to be awarded credit transfer, the learner is required to indicate on their enrolment form if they would like to apply for credit transfer and submit copies of the relevant Statement of Attainment or, qualification and Statement of Results. All learners must give the College permission to complete a verification of AQF certification with the issuing RTO or through the USI Registry prior to credit transfer being awarded. Where verification cannot be obtained from the issuing RTO or the USI Registry, credit transfer will not be awarded.
Where AQF certification cannot be verified, either through the issuing RTO (as a result of closure of the business) or the USI Registry, learners will need to contact the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to gain confirmation of the awarding of the certification. Charges apply. Refer to www.ASQA.gov.au for further information.
To ensure the integrity of the vocational education and training sector, the AQF specifies strict protocols for the protection of certification to be applied by registered training organisations offering nationally recognised training. These protocols include requirements for RTOs to use forms of protection on all certification documents to minimise fraudulent copying or reproduction. Where the issuing RTO confirms to the College that it did not award the AQF certification, the application for credit transfer will be refused.