RPL Central® - Frequently Asked Questions on RPL and Skills Recognition

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is RPL?
A: RPL stands for Recognition of Prior Learning. This means that if you have developed skills or knowledge as part of your working life, through volunteer work or through previous informal courses, then you may be able to use this experience to gain qualifications. Your ‘life skills’ contribute towards the specific criteria required for a formal qualification (a Certificate or a Diploma for example). Whereas you would normally have to attend a course at a TAFE or other training organisation, the RPL process allows you to gain recognition by providing evidence that you are already competent in particular skills, or within particular work role: you can get your formal qualification without having to go back to school!

Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for RPL?
A: Everyone is eligible to apply for RPL. You’ll need to supply ‘sufficient, reliable, authentic and current evidence’ that proves you have learned a specific skill and you will then qualify for a full or part of a qualification. It doesn’t matter when you developed your skills or developed your knowledge, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. And there are a great deal of courses available so your skills will match up to at least one of them. If you can supply proof of your competency, then you are able to apply for formal recognition. Take a look at our SkillSearch™ feature to see which qualifications your skills may entitle you to.

Q: What happens if I don't have enough evidence for a full RPL?
A: Our service connects you to a Registered Training Organisation where you get direct access to upload your evidence and communicate with an Assessor. In the case where after an assessment has taken place, you are unable to gain a full Certificate or Diploma, your Assessor will provide you with 2 free challenge assessments - and then the opportunity to get reassessed. If after this, you still cannot demonstrate competency in the full Qualification, you will gain a Statement of Attainment for units you can demonstrate competency in.

Q: How much will my application cost?
A: We have set simple pricing for all Certificate levels. We have also created a 15% price beat guarantee. See our simple pricing page for details.

Q: What is the AQF?
A: The AQF stands for The Australian Qualifications Framework. It brings together all of Australia’s qualifications into one framework which includes all sectors of education and training. It includes the school, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education (university) sectors in Australia. The AQF link their qualifications together into clear ‘learning routes’ and provide a ‘highly visible, quality-assured national system of educational recognition’. The AQF’s aim is to promote ‘lifelong learning and a seamless and diverse education and training system’. RPL Central® provides you with the tools to acquire an AQF endorsed qualification on the basis of your skills and experience. AQF endorsed qualifications are the ‘benchmark’ and are recognised by companies and employers throughout Australia. Further information about the Australian Qualifications Framework can be found here. Your skills, experience and prior learning are likely to be acceptable as evidence towards obtaining a formal qualification. Have a look at our SkillSearch™ tool to see which qualifications match your life experiences.

Q: What does the term ‘Nationally Accredited’ mean?
A: Nationally Accredited means that a qualification is endorsed by the AQF (see above). The AQF are the ‘benchmark’ for Australian qualifications. So if you have a ‘Nationally Accredited’ qualification, it is recognised throughout Australia and in many other countries around the world.

Q: How will gaining a nationally recognised qualification help me?
A: When you have a nationally recognised qualification, it is proof that you have undertaken training to be able to perform well at your job. When you are seeking employment, the qualification will be recognised by potential employers and will improve your chances of securing employment in your chosen field. Employers value employees who can show that they are willing to learn and continue to update their skills and qualifications. Through RPL Central® you can use your work and life experience to help you to get a nationally recognised qualification.
Have a look at the SkillSearch™ tool to match your skills and experience to a qualification.

Q: Why apply for RPL rather than undertaking a course?
A: To gain a qualification you would normally attend a course at a TAFE or other training organisation. This is time-consuming and expensive and - if you already have a skill - then you will be ‘re-learning’ it. The RPL process allows you to gain recognition by providing evidence that you are already competent in a particular skill or work role. Once you’ve decided to apply for recognition of your skills and knowledge through RPL Central®, then the benefits include:

Financial

None of the ongoing fees and costs associated with attending full-time courses
No travel costs
A ‘set fee’ for your qualification with no hidden extras

Time

No time spent attending classes or seminars
You won’t need to go anywhere: so no time spent travelling to class
No time spent completing assignments, preparing for class or writing essays
There is no pressure to complete your application, so you can complete it whenever suits you: however long that takes.

And, of course, the immeasurable benefits of being better qualified and better equipped for the workplace. To start seeing which qualification your skills will lead you towards, take a look at our SkillSearch™ feature.

Q: Why apply through RPL Central rather than directly through a training organisation?
Training organisations generally specialise in offering quality training programs to their clients. The technical process of RPL can be time consuming, costly and often confusing for both the client and the staff. RPL Central® offers RTO's and applicants a cost effective, streamlined solution for clients wishing to gain RPL recognition. It offers a web-based service that collates evidence of your skills, and presents it in an innovative, cost effective way to your assessor. It then provides a convenient interface for your assessor to communicate with you and certify you upon outcome. This in turn, usually translates to a lower cost to the student and better compliance for the assessor.

Q: How do I apply for RPL?
A: To enrol and apply through us is simple. Follow the below steps.

Let the SkillSearch™ tool suggest qualifications that match your skills or work experience.
View a list of suggested qualifications, employability skills and units.
Add qualifications that match your skills to your ‘RPL Basket’.
Order an E-Portfolio for your chosen RPL Qualifications.
Login to RPL Wizard to get started straight away!

Q: Who will assess my RPL application?
A: RPL Central partner up with several Registered Training Organisations who will assess your skills and experience, and will be responsible for issuing you with a Nationally Accredited testamur.

Q: What information do I need to submit my application?
A: You will be asked for some standard information about yourself, and it will be necessary for you to supply identification for the purposes of authentication. Depending on the type of qualification you are applying for, other specific information will be asked for - you may be asked to provide trade licenses cards or certificates for example. You will then get access to the RPL Wizard and will be able to begin collecting your evidence and building up the portfolio that will allow you to use your skills and experience to get a formal qualification. Have a look at the SkillSearch™ feature to discover which courses your skills may set you up for

Q: What is competency based assessment?
A: Competency based assessment is the process whereby you are assessed as to whether you can provide evidence of the specific skills or knowledge required to meet the criteria for a specific qualification. Definition of competency: 'Competency is the consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments'. RPL Central® enable you to use the ‘competencies’ that you have developed through your life experiences to achieve formal qualifications. Use our SkillSearch™ tool to match your ‘competencies’ to courses.

Q: What does ‘mapping competencies’ mean?
A: Mapping competencies is the process whereby you describe how your skills and knowledge directly relate to the competency standards and criteria required to receive a nationally recognised qualification. The RPL Wizard makes this process easy for you as it will prompt you to answer questions relevant to your specific qualification or unit of competency in easy to understand language. The Wizard will also advise you of suitable evidence for a specific competency.

Q: Can I submit a hard copy of my evidence through the post?
A: The process for gathering evidence for your application at RPL Central® is electronic and simplified. You can scan information onto your computer and upload it directly onto the RPL Wizard.

What will happen if my application is not successful?
A: Our partner RTOs provide you with up to 2 free challenge assessments to cover any gap areas you may have. If you still have gaps, and need training, you will be provided with a list of training providers to fill these areas.

Q: Is the information I provide private?
A: Yes, between you and your Industry Assessor only.

Q: What support can I expect from RPL Central® while working on my application?
A: RPL Central® offers you an innovative RPL solution, and connects you to a suitable RTO for your assessment. They work with you throughout the process. Questions relating to your evidence or assessment are answered within 48 business hours.

Q: How long will the process take?
A. It takes the average person 1-2 weeks if they spend from just a few minutes, to an hour each day collating evidence. It does vary on the size of the Qualification slightly.

Q: I am working in an unrelated field to the course I want to do; does this count?
A: Absolutely, you are able to use skills you have in an unrelated field to gain credit in certain circumstances. You will need to speak to the assessor you engage relating to this.

Q: What backup systems does RPL Central® have?
A: Backup of all data is performed daily. Our equipment is housed within the Equinix data centre located in Mascot, Sydney. Equinix is the leading global provider of carrier-neutral data centres and Internet exchange services for enterprises, content providers, systems integrators and network services providers. The RPL Central® hosted solution is neighboured by large multi-national corporations, including brands such as Yahoo, eBay, Fairfax, Unwired, and Google. Backup generators and redundant internet connectivity are all part of our standard setup.

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RPL Central® and RPL Wizard® are Registered Trademarks of RPL Central Pty. Ltd. Online skills recognition and evidence collection is patent protected by RPL Central and certified by IP Australia. Patent #: 2009100601. All data and content in its current manipulated format is Copyright © 2010 RPL Central Pty. Ltd. Under no circumstances can this data be downloaded and modified without the prior written consent of RPL Central Pty. Ltd. RPL Central is not an RTO, however it uses a network of RTO partners to assess and issue Qualifications to its customers. RPL Central Pty. Ltd is an AVETMISS compliant company. View Sitemap.