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Recognition of Prior Learning

Trade Skills Australia - RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

When you have a broad set of skills and a deep technical understanding of engineering-related tasks but no formal qualifications, recognition of prior learning could open the door to new opportunities. Don’t allow your career to become stagnant because you do not have the appropriate Australian qualifications showcasing your capabilities. In some cases, you may have acquired experience “on the job” over many years because you chose to enter the workforce early, didn’t finish trade school or didn’t go to trade school at all. Some who pursue an RPL or recognition of prior learning are newcomers to the nation who need a convenient way to translate qualifications from overseas into Australian Qualifications.

Excessive heat exposureAt Trade Skills Australia, we are here to help you achieve an RPL certification so you can start making steps towards advancing and enhancing your career. With a friendly team, a proven process, and one of the most candidate-friendly pricing structures in the industry, we hope to play an important role in opening new doors for you. First, explore what this process involves, then explore more in-depth information about how RPL qualification works.

What You Should Know About RPL

If you have never considered this process before, it can seem a bit daunting. You may hear a lot of talk about “assessments,” “evidence,” and “portfolios.” It doesn’t take long before you can end up feeling overwhelmed. Let’s break down the major elements of how an RPL works to de-mystify this process.

    • The most important element of an RPL is the evidence you supply to support a claim that you should earn a particular certificate by bypassing the usual educational route. You will need to collect this evidence into a “portfolio” that we will use as part of your assessment. Reviewing the types of machinery and equipment, and
    • Additionally, it is a requirement to undertake a thorough technical assessment during an RPL so that we may determine what units you are competent in. The Qualifications “Packaging Rules” determine the competencies needed to earn a qualification. We use our understanding of these rules to provide a fair yet comprehensive assessment of your skills and knowledge.
    • When granted, an RPL is identical to the classroom qualification itself. There is no functional difference, so it is just as if you devoted the hours necessary to learning and passing an examination.

The Benefits of Obtaining an RPL Certificate from Trade Skills Australia

What makes Trade Skills Australia the right option for those in engineering-related careers who want to undertake a recognition of prior learning assessment? A fresh face in the world of RTOs and RPL, we bring a better understanding and a more customer-friendly approach to the table. Here’s what that means in terms of the benefits you’ll experience:

    • We provide an entirely online service for your convenience. We understand that your working hours may be complex, and it is often difficult to fit additional tasks into the few hours you have free each day. Trade Services Australia has designed a process that is easy for anyone to access. Even our document submission process is entirely online and at your discretion.
    • We offer a free pre-enrolment review before you begin the process. Want to know whether you should consider investing in the RPL process at all? Let’s have a conversation about your experience and the kind of evidence you might bring to the table to see if you qualify.
    • We don’t require any payment upon your initial evidence submission. Unlike some other providers you may find, we believe in doing our pre-enrolment review first before asking you to open your wallet.

Problems an RPL Assessment Can Help Address

Pursuing an RPL can be an important stepping stone on your path to career advancement. By trying to convert your experience into a real qualification, you can address several problems you may have encountered already, such as:

    • A slowdown in your career advancement. Feelings of stagnation aren’t always solved by making lateral moves to similar positions in other companies. Moving forward to the next growth stage in your career could require more credentials.
    • Missed opportunities for promotion or increases in your compensation packages. You and your employer may both know you are well-suited to a particular position or job role. Still, procedures require that employees hold the appropriate qualifications for the job role. Without the right certificate, it could mean you’ve missed out on something.
    • A lack of time to use for pursuing classroom-based training and education to advance an existing qualification. Perhaps you already hold a Certificate III, for example, and you would like to upgrade to a Certificate IV. It’s possible your work experience and efforts may already qualify you for such an upgrade, and an RPL can help you get there.

Common Mistakes People Make When Pursuing an RPL Course

Although RPLs are a popular way to approach professional development for both industry veterans and new arrivals, the procedure does have some complexities. Our team is here to keep you on the right path, but you should be aware of some typical pitfalls you may encounter:

    • Failing to allocate enough time to pursue your RPL fully. We understand that many RPL candidates have a full-time position in their industry already, and that led us to invest in the implementation of our online communication process. However, it is important to recognise that you will still need to invest some time in meeting the requirements.
    • Missing the opportunity to include substantial evidence in your portfolio. If anything could support your assessment for an RPL, it should go into your portfolio. Don’t make the mistake of believing that certain items are unimportant or not relevant enough for inclusion. When in doubt, you can always ask for our insight.

Tips to Plan for Obtaining Recognised Prior Learning

Think you’re ready to get started? We can’t wait to work with you to assess your skills and knowledge and guide you towards achieving an Australian qualification. As you prepare to engage our services, please consider the following tips to make a strong start:

    • Start thinking about the kind of evidence you can put into your portfolio right now. A quick internet search can give you some idea about what others typically include in RPL portfolios for engineering applications. For example, someone who was educated overseas and emigrated to Australia could produce a diploma or certificate obtained from their nation of origin.
    • Determine when you can set aside some time in your schedule each week to focus on the RPL process. Figuring this out in advance and building a routine around it will let you zero in on meeting the requirements without enduring unnecessary stress from an inappropriate work-life balance.

What to Expect from Trade Skills Australia’s RPL Assessment

What is it like to work with one of our assessors on your prior learning assessment and recognition? We employ a smooth four-step process that’s easy to follow, and we keep you informed of your responsibilities at every step along the way. Here’s what to expect:

    • Step one: get in touch with our team for a consultative conversation about RPL, the process, and why you might be a suitable candidate for it. Our friendly team can answer all the questions you have and perform a free pre-enrolment eligibility check.
    • Step two: proceed through the evidence-gathering phase and undertake the pre-enrolment process. We will provide as much guidance as possible to make this step less confusing and more straightforward.
    • Step three: complete your submissions to our assessors, who will then begin a comprehensive documentary assessment of your evidence and a technical assessment of your skills and knowledge.
    • Step four: receive your RPL upon satisfaction of all the requirements. Congratulations! You’ve successfully “upskilled” your Australian qualifications, and you can begin the work of advancing your career even further.

The Best Advice You Can Hear Regarding the RPL Process

In closing, we’d also like to share some helpful words of advice for those prepared to undertake this effort. Here’s some of what we’ve learned from helping others navigate the RPL procedure from start to finish:

    • Be confident in yourself and your abilities. At Trade Skills Australia, we recognise the hard work you’ve already performed to reach this stage. Although RPLs can seem daunting at first, they are nothing compared to the challenges you’ve already faced and surmounted in your career.
    • Be patient. Evidence gathering and portfolio building can take time, though it is still faster than pursuing the classroom option. Our assessors work as quickly as possible, but making the final assessment decision requires careful attention to detail.
    • Be thorough. Give yourself the best chance to be awarded your new Australian qualification by doing what it takes to get the proof of competency you need. Whether that’s contacting an old educational institute or reaching out to a colleague from a previous employer for a letter, go the extra mile — the results are worth the effort.

Why Trust Trade Skills Australia With Your RPL Training?

At Trade Skills Australia, we’ve helped many Trades Workers obtain a prior recognition of learning, and we have an in-depth understanding of the system. Our goal is always the same – to support our clients as they work hard to prepare for the next stage in their career. Because we do not require an initial fee to begin the process, we make it more accessible to explore your options. When it comes to your livelihood and professional development, we believe that your needs should always come first. Learn more about the different Australian qualifications that we offer an RPL online, or contact us to request more information and begin an initial assessment.