SWTAFE - Skills Recognition

I want to apply for RPL/RCC - What do I do?

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS …

Step 1 –		Decide if you want to undertake a Skills Recognition process and at the same time decide on a study area or qualification. (Information can be found on our website www.swtafe.vic.edu.au/RPL/rpl.aspx or on the National Training Information Site (NTIS) www.ntis.gov.au ) which will help your initial assessment of your experience. If you have already enrolled into a unit or course, speak with your course coordinator about the Skills Recognition process most suitable for you. You must be able to provide evidence to prove that you are competent. It is not enough to state that you have the skills and knowledge. You are required to demonstrate competence.

Step 2 –		Apply for Skills Recognition. Obtain an Application Kit from our website http://www.swtafe.vic.edu.au/RPL/index.aspx or your local campus and submit to the nominated department RPL Assessor. If you are not already enrolled, once you have decided to apply for Skills Recognition you must enroll into the units of competence or the course you have chosen to undertaken a Skills recognition process for. A plan may be developed to assist you in your application. You might be advised to enroll into some classes; apply for transfer credit or RPL; undertake further on the job training or undertake a challenge test. You will also be advised on what evidence you will be required to submit with your formal application for RPL.

		COMPLETE ENROLMENT FORM AND PAY REQUIRED FEES
Step 3 –		Gather a portfolio of evidence for skills recognition or nominate assessment by workplace assessment. Once you have identified the relevant competencies you wish to proceed in, you need to collect evidence that reflects demonstration of the skills and knowledge identified in these competencies. As a guide you may refer to the Evidence Guide that forms a part of each competency standard. This information can be found on the NTIS website www.ntis.gov.au or speak with your nominated department RPL Assessor. You should aim to collect evidence that addresses the elements in the competency standard. When referencing your evidence to the competencies, indicate which of the competencies it is relevant to as well as the element in the competency that you believe it addresses. It is vital your referencing system is accurate or assessors may miss an important piece of evidence. Submit evidence.

Step 4 –		Undertake assessment - You will need to submit your Skills Recognition application to the department RPL Assessor who will assess the evidence you provide. At this stage an assessment interview may be required. Assessment evidence may be: a portfolio of evidence or workplace evidence Your portfolio will be examined by a workplace assessor, and a subject matter expert. Assessment is a process of confirming you have achieved competency. Your evidence must be valid, sufficient, authentic and current to be certain the final decision of competent / yet to demonstrate competence is accurate. The focus of the assessor will be “Can the candidate do this now?” They will make this decision based on the evidence you present and any discussions you may have. Additionally, the assessor will need to determine whether the evidence, as a whole, matches your claims. They will do this by comparing and contrasting the documents with the competency standards. If there is something the assessor cannot reasonably infer from the evidence, they will either ask you a specific question about this at interview or request further documentary evidence.

Step 5 –		You will be notified by Student Administration of the outcome within twenty-five working days of receipt of your application by the department RPL Assessor. You will be sent a current transcript detailing the units of competency you have been granted. If you are not successful in receiving Skills Recognition for the unit/course you applied for in your application: the RPL Assessor will advise you of alternatives (if applicable). You may be invited to resubmit a second time if the RPL Assessor requires further information. you have the opportunity to undertake skills gaps training with South West Institute of TAFE at a mutually convenient time. You will be required to enroll and pay for the unit if you are requested to attend training due to an unsuccessful bid for RPL. you have the opportunity to discuss this further and commence a grievance process if you believe there has been an error of process and assessment.

Step 6 –		Receive a Certificate or Statement of Attainment formally recognising your skills and knowledge.