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What is RPL?
Note: RPL is also referred to as APL Assessment of Prior Learning
RPL is a broad umbrella concept which values all learning that people have gained in their lives (at home, at school, at work and in the community). This learning could be:
- Formal Learning: Structured, intentional and achieved through credit-earning programs/courses;
- Non-formal Learning: Intentional and gained through participation in non-credit courses; workplace-based training, or workshops;
- Informal Learning: Incidental and gained through life experience, workplace-based tasks, volunteer activities, self study, hobbies, family responsibilities, etc;
- Experiential Learning: Either intentional or incidental and encompasses the concepts of non-formal and informal learning.
How does it work?
RPL consists of processes for recognising the forms of learning mentioned above. To recognise a person's formal and/or experiential learning, the following processes could apply:
- Credit Transfer requesting credit at one educational institution for courses or programmes that were completed at another recognised institution; and
- Assessment of Prior Learning assessing what a person knows and can do in relation to the expected outcomes of a particular course.
RPL/APL focuses on the outcomes rather than how, when or where the learning occurred.
For example, if you are a chef, and you have already worked in that field, you will know some or all of the content of a cookery course. RPL is a way of getting credit for this learning, which may reduce the amount of time you spend studying.
RPL gives you credit for your life skills and knowledge you have acquired at home or through clubs, hobbies (for example, committee involvement) and so on.
What are the advantages of RPL?
- RPL allows you to complete formal education in a shorter period of time and at a lower cost.
- RPL means that you do not have to repeat the learning that you have already acquired.
- RPL increases your career and education options through recognised skills and knowledge.
- RPL allows for fairer access to studies that you wish to undertake.
