About Us
What is Recognition of Prior Learning?
Recognition of Prior Learning is a process whereby people’s prior learning can be formally recognized in terms of registered qualifications and unit standards, regardless of where and how the learning was attained. RPL acknowledges that people never stop learning, whether it takes place formally at an educational institution, or whether it happens informally.
Application
Prospective ARPL candidates apply at an accredited Trade Test Centre, accredited for the trade which is being applied for, to undergo an ARPL process. At application the prospective candidate completes a standard application form, found in the toolkit, for statistical purposes. The application form must be completed electronically and manually as per the toolkit, until such a time as regulation 2(1) and 2(4) of the Trade Test Regulation is implemented. Where the candidate cannot use technology, such a candidate will be assisted. At application the candidate will be assessed for compliance against the Criteria and Guidelines for the implementation of ARPL. Where the candidate does not comply, he/she must be informed of the reasons for non-compliance and what is needed to meet the requirements. Where a candidate complies, he/she will be assisted with the compilation of the PoE. Candidates must be encouraged to bring a CV and supporting documents with when applying for ARPL in order to complete a PoE.
Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) compilation
The ARPL candidate must compile a PoE that includes a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any other certified supporting documents of qualifications and current and previous employment together with the trade related duties performed, together with any photographic proof, where available. Where a candidate is selfemployed, such a candidate must provide proofs of trade related evidence and affidavits (signed in the presence of an officer of the law) from clients and a community leader to support the request for ARPL. All documents in the PoE must align with a checklist provided by the NAMB.
Technical Evaluation Panel and its role
The Technical Panel comprises of at least one qualified artisan for the particular trade, who is a Subject Matter Expert (SME). The panel should have at least two persons on the panel, to ensure integrity of the process. The panel members should be approved and registered on a database as assessors and/or moderators with the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) as per the requirement of the Criteria and Guidelines for the registration of artisan trade assessors and moderators.
