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Registered Training Organisations

• How can I be confident the evidence I am asking for is valid, current, sufficient and authentic?
• What can I do to increase the likelihood of success?
• What policy and procedures are in place to support me in the skills recognition process?
• How does skills recognition fit into my busy teaching schedule?
• Where can I go to get more information?
• What tools can I use to help me?

How can I be confident the evidence I am asking for is valid, current, sufficient and authentic?

The evidence page for assessors and trainers is a good first port of call to find out more about evidence.

What can I do to increase the likelihood of success?

• Use clear and concise communication (both written and verbal)
• Tailor communication to each student
• Tailor assessment to each student
• Focus on benefits
• Develop workarounds to counter potential language and literacy issues
• Assist students to identify the value of the skills and experience they already have
• Provide both an overview and specific information about skills recognition to students
• Engage mentors from industry - supervisor involvement is very helpful

What policy and procedures are in place to support me in the skills recognition process?

Your Registered Training Organisation (RTO) should have a skills recognition policy and set of procedures. It is worth reading that and checking who manages skills recognition where you work. If you don't have this, maybe it is something you can volunteer to create?

The Australian Qualifications Framework has a set of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) National Principles. These principles outline how an RTO should be approaching skills recognition and provides advice on how to achieve best practice.

How does skills recognition fit into my busy teaching schedule?

Skills recognition generally takes less time than the delivery of a class or online based unit. However, it can be more intensive over a short period of time. Students may also need more intensive support over a short period. It would be appropriate to negotiate blocks of time specifically to manage the skills recognition process.

Where can I go to get more information?

You can find out more about skills recognition for RTOs at Recognition for RTOs or Links and tools for RTOs.

What tools can I use to help me?

The self evaluation tool on this site is designed for students. It is also a useful tool for assessors. You may like to use it to give your students an idea of what units of competency they have and which ones they don't have. The tool gives a visual indicator of how close the student is to a full qualification. This can be very motivating.

In addition RON (RPL Online Network) has a number of tools that you might find helpful.