Recognition of Prior Learning
Numerous South Africans have acquired adequate knowledge and skills in the workplace to attain credits towards a full qualification. Recognition of Prior learning assists these individuals to acquire a registered SAQA qualification or standard.
Individuals may have been denied opportunities for a host of reasons and would therefore have limited options available to them to attend formal educational structures.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
The South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 Act No. 58 of 1995, Government Gazette No 6140, No. R542 defines RPL as,” the comparison of the previous learning and experience of a learner howsoever obtained against the learning outcomes required for a specified qualification, and the acceptance for purposes of qualification of that which meets the requirements.”
RPL is an important way to recognise and assess an individual’s position in terms of what s/he knows and can do against national standard/s and qualifications at this point in time. The learning that is recognised could include a multiplicity of areas. This may include formal education and training programmes, formal and informal on the job education and training, self study and experience and in-house company education and training.
It is clear from the outlined purpose of the Skills Development Act that RPL will be an important catalyst in achieving the objectives of the Act. The Act outlines the importance of improving the quality of life for learners and their prospects of employment, improving productivity and self employment, and increasing the skills pool of available talent in the market place.
Principles of RPL Assessment
- Compliance with the objectives of the NQF
- Grounded in sound education and training theory
- International comparability opportunities
- Adequate human and financial resources
- Aligned to the notion of integrative assessment
- Compliance with SAQA guidelines and criteria for assessment
- Public availability and scrutiny of credit transfer provisions;
- Allows access to all individuals regardless of gender, race or disability
- A consistent approach to the granting of credit / qualifications
- RPL process provides opportunities for RPL but will not hold out false promises
The RPL Process
Quality Assurance of RPL in the Services Sector
The implementation of RPL in the Services SETA is regularly monitored, reviewed, evaluated and revised to reflect changes according to changed/reviewed standards and qualifications.
By adhering to the highest possible quality standards, the Services SETA will ensure that assessment becomes accurate and defendable process, providing a sense of reliability, equality and fairness. Assessors ascribe to an ethical code of conduct to ensure that learners are provided with a quality process and that whatever they have achieved is recognised in the sector and will contribute to an available and employable talent pool.
Accreditation & Qualifications
Knowledge Quest Consulting Services attain accreditation as an accredited RPL / Assessment Centre with the Services SETA ETQA and the IEB (Independent Examinations Board). Knowledge Quest Consulting Services has been afforded accreditation / registration against a range of qualifications which includes: the following:
Learning Programme / Skills Programme |
SAQA ID |
NQF |
Credit |
National Certificate: New Venture Creation – |
49648 |
Level 2 |
138 |
National Certificate: New Venture Creation – |
23953 |
Level 4 |
162 |
National Certificate: Business Administration Services |
23833 |
Level 2 |
130 |
National Certificate: Business Administration Services - |
23655 |
Level 3 |
120 |
National Certificate: Business Administration Services |
35928 |
Level 4 |
140 |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Management - |
23656 |
Level 4 |
140 |
National Certificate: Management |
24493 |
Level 5 |
120 |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Management and Administration- |
48883 |
Level 4 |
140 |
Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Management and Administration |
49129 |
Level 4 |
140 |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Management |
50080 |
Level 4 |
136 |
National Certificate: Business Advising - |
48886 |
Level 5 |
151 |
National Certificate: Labour Relations Practice - |
48641 |
Level 5 |
121 |
National Diploma: Labour Relations Practice: Dispute Resolution |
49784 |
Level 5 |
241 |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Business Systems Operations: End User (ERP) |
49176 |
Level 4 |
122 |
General Education and Training Certificate: Domestic Services |
23853 |
Level 1 |
141 |
National Certificate: Business Consulting Practice (Enterprise Resource Planning) |
48874 |
Level 5 |
137 |
National Certificate: Customer Management |
20907 |
Level 4 |
134 |
National Certificate: Payroll Administration Services |
35927 |
Level 4 |
153 |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Labour Recruitment Services |
58063 |
Level 4 |
152 |
National Certificate: Project Support Service - |
50398 |
Level 3 |
137 |
National Certificate: Management |
23654 |
Level 3 |
120 |
General Education and Training Certificate: Hygiene and
Cleaning |
57937 |
Level |
120 |
Demonstrate and Understanding of the Labour Relations Act |
|
Level 5 |
12 |
Demonstrate and Understanding of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act |
|
Level 5 |
8 |
ABET Assessments
ABET Numberacy Level 1 – 4
ABET Literacy Level 1 – 4 |
|
Below NQF 1 |
|
Associations
Knowledge Quest Consulting Services has formed associations with accredited, recognised and registered institutions to ensure allow for the delivery of a diverse number of programmes / interventions at all levels within the Skills Development Framework.
Knowledge Quest Credentials
- Implementation of the RPL project with Disabled Learners – QASA 2008 –managed by Management Chamber of SERVICES SETA in New Venture Creation.
- Implementation of Programme for Department of Public Works – Head Office (Pretoria).
- Implementation of RPL Project with GrowthLab with Local Government Institution
- Implementation and Management of Learnerships – 360 Candidates
- Design of RPL / Assessment tools for competency and unit standard assessment
- ABET Asessments and Training with Read for Africa
- Course and assessment design
- We have in association registered assessors and registered moderators.
- We have facilitated the monitoring and evaluation of 1058 accredited training providers with Services SETA an other SETA
- We have facilitated the external moderation / verification of over 10000 (ten thouand) portfolio’s of evidence / learners in various learnership programmes
- We have conducted external moderation audits of SETA ETQA’s on behalf of SAQA
- Development of RPL Toolkit for W&RSETA
- World of Work Programme – Learning Intervention with 4000 Grade 10 Learners with Services SETA in nine provinces
- Our association with registered and accredited providers allow us to facilitate Assessor, Moderator and RPL Adviser training programmes
- Deonita Damons was Presenter at the International Skills Reciprocity Conference Hosted by the SERVICES SETA
- Linda Meyer was bestowed the award of Senior / Chief External Moderator with the Services SETA 2006
- We have Extensive knowledge of Skills Development Act, SA Qualifications Act, SAQA working papers, Unit Standards and all related processes.
- We are an accredited institutional training provider with the SERVICES SETA (decision number 2159).
* Knowledge Quest Consulting is in the process of extention of scope to gain accreditation for additonal qualifcations and skills programmes.
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