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Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process whereby people are
provided with an opportunity to have the skills and knowledge they have
developed outside the formal education system assessed and valued against
quali?cations frameworks. This publication gives an overview of recent
research into RPL within the Australian vocational education and training
(VET) system.
- Recognition of prior learning is a widely supported concept, although
the available statistics suggest that the level of participation
in RPL in vocational education and training has not been as great
as
had been anticipated.
- Recent research has found, however, that RPL
may be a much more pervasive characteristic of the VET system
and within enterprises than is suggested in official statistics
and earlier research.
This is because RPL can be defined in a number of ways, some
of which are not recorded in official statistics. In addition, neither
industry
nor individuals consider that RPL is always the best option,
even when the person is eligible for RPL.
- No single significant barrier has
been identified to effective implementation of RPL. Instead
there are several factors which, in some contexts, act as deterrents.
More
and
effective RPL requires:
- greater promotion, using
clear, concise and jargon-free language
- recognition
that RPL is a valuable learning experience in its own right
- improved
support and approaches to assist students to gather evidence
- experienced
professional assessors
- continued efforts to achieve
cost-efficient RPL
- promotion
of the numerous practical case studies and strategies
that now exist, a guide to which is provided in this At
a glance.
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