Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an opt out of, not opt in to approach, is transforming RPL and VET services for clients and assessors who are using innovative tools and systems, including online RPL, supporting customisation, flexibility and maximum choice of pathways.  For a chat about how we can help you to review, design and improve your RPL systems, processes and practice email wendy@wpaa.com.au.

Wendy Perry and Associates Pty Ltd has researched and authored two reports for the Australian Flexible Learning Framework for the E-portfolios Business Activity on Recognition of Prior Learning Support Systems Trial (2009) and Recognition of Prior Learning Tools and Systems Survey (2008).  This involved the documentation of examples of where RPL tools and e-portfolios are being used by Australian Registered Training Providers, a comparison analysis and the benefits of using such tools and where it fits into an RPL process.

In our RPL practice we use an online tool called Skillsbook which is a data warehouse of all Australian National Training Packages and units of competency.  We facilitate professional development workshops on how to use Skillsbook (Competency Navigator and Enterprise) and e-portfolios in RPL practice for Registered Training Organisations across Australia.

Wendy Perry has provided advice, content and support for user groups in testing a self-evaluation skills profiling tool for the Department of Education and Training in New South Wales.

RPL Professional Development

For many organisations and training providers including State and Territory Governments and the Council of Australian Government RPL projects we have facilitated professional development workshops aimed at promoting RPL good practice skills recognition.

Over the past 3 years Wendy has facilitated workshops through the TAFE Development Centre for the thirteen Skills Stores implemented by the Victorian State Government.  These have been aimed at customer service and administration staff as an ‘Introduction to good practice RPL’.

For the Victorian TAFE Association, Wendy facilitated workshops with eight major VET providers on “Taking the Lead on Skills Recognition”.  This workshop was aimed at leaders and managers within TVET providers with around 20 people attending per workshop.  Feedback indicated that people enjoyed the workshops.

Between November 2007 and June 2008 Wendy delivered 10 workshops across 5 Australian cities with approximately 50-60 attendees per workshop on RPL as a Strategic Opportunity for NARA.

RPL Model Design and System Review

We have developed a skills recognition (RPL) model, which is used and recognised by training providers as national good practice.  Our Managing Director, Wendy Perry, has written and presented many papers at conferences on the subject of RPL, testing our ideas and new concepts in relation to RPL readiness, motivators and how RPL supports individual through to community development along a continuum.

RPL models, policies and manuals have been developed for many of our Registered Training Organisation clients that we audit and provide consultancy services for and for the South Australian government where we were assisting with the management of retrenched workers at large multinational company Mitsubishi Motors Australia.

Research and Links

A shared responsibility: apprenticeships for the 21st Century

McDowell, Jim; Oliver, Dave; Persson, Marie; Fairbrother, Royce; Wetzlar, Simone; Buchanan, John; Shipstone, Tim

Australia. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ExpertPanel.asp

The RPL Skills Express Toolkit: a quality ‘no frills’ electronic recognition tool for VET

Goiser, Narelle; Barlow, Kerry

http://www.voced.edu.au/docs/confs/ncver/vetconf19/tr19goiser.pdf

Australian ePortfolio Project: ePortfolio use by university students in Australia: informing excellence in policy and practice: supplementary report October 2010

Hallam, Gillian; Harper, Wendy; McAllister, Lynn; Hauville, Kim; Creagh, Tracy

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC)

http://www.eportfoliopractice.qut.edu.au/docs/AeP_Survey/AeP_PS_Report_Final.pdf

Recognition of prior learning: normative assessment or co-construction of preferred identities?

Hamer, Jen

Australian journal of adult learning, 50, (1), April 2010, pp. 100-115

Steering the road (map) to lifelong learning and lifelong learner records

Miller, Allison; O’Neill, Owen

http://www.voced.edu.au/docs/confs/ncver/vetconf19/tr19miller.pdf

ePortfolios Australia Conference 2010 Book of Abstracts and Papers 3–4 November 2010:  Widening participation — engaging the learner

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/files/EAC2010_Abstracts_eBook_20101109.pdf

Increasing the confidence of advanced RPL assessors

Mitchell, John; Gronold, Judy

http://www.avetra.org.au/papers-2009/papers/35.00.pdf

How training organisations are using e-learning to support national training initiatives around apprenticeships and RPL

Callan, Victor J.; Fergusson, Annie

http://www.avetra.org.au/papers-2009/papers/15.00.pdf

Recognising non-formal and informal learning: participant insights and perspectives

Smith, Larry R.; Clayton, Berwyn

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2084.html

Reality vs the myth: changing narrative into action

Hewson, Janet

http://www.avetra.org.au/papers-2009/papers/75.00.pdf

Transforming Queensland VET: challenges and opportunities: volume three, 2009

Berthelsen, Donna; Vogel, Lauren

http://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv9551

RPL policy to practice: why the reticence of practitioners to engage?

Hewson, Janet

http://www.avetra.org.au/AVETRA%20Work%2017.04.08/CS6.1%20-%20Janet%20Hewson.pdf

Are RPL targets reasonable?: predicting recognition rates in VET

Giles-Peters, Andrew R.

http://202.4.239.78/content/ngv25061

Recognition of prior learning: an assessment resource for VET practitioners

Western Australia. Department of Education and Training (DET)

http://202.4.239.78/content/ngv37926

Taking the lead on skills recognition: final report

Williams, David; Schultz, Nita

Victorian TAFE Association (VTA)

http://www.vta.vic.edu.au/docs/RPL%20final%20report%20290108.pdf

Review of skills and workforce development in South Australia: the challenge for the next decade: final report.

Keating, Michael

Economic Development Board,

South Australia. Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED).

Adelaide, South Australia.

http://www.southaustralia.biz/library/Skills_Report_Jun08.pdf

Election statement 2007: maximising gains/adding value: a stronger role for group training in skills development

Group Training Australia (GTA)

http://www.gtaltd.com.au/policy/downloads/GTA%20FINAL%20with%20election%20statment.pdf

Credit transfer: who gets what and why does it matter?

Giles-Peters, Andrew R.

http://202.4.239.78/content/ngv22400

Industry skills report: manufacturing

Australia. Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST)

Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA)

http://202.4.239.78/content/ngv10970

Thank you to the Information Services and Library Branch of NCVER for providing their VOCED Plus search.