Industry Information
Skills recognition - true or false?
| Question | True | False | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You can't get a complete qualification through recognition - only a percentage of it. | ||
| 2 | You can only get recognition if you have documentary evidence - a portfolio of paperwork. | ||
| 3 | Recognition is so difficult, you'd be better off doing the course. | ||
| 4 | Recognition is a high risk activity for Registered Training Organisations. | ||
| 5 | It's not worth the effort to promote recognition because of the amount of paperwork required to fulfil the requirement of the Australian Quality Training Framework. | ||
| 6 | Qualifications achieved through recognition are not of a similar standing to those achieved through training and assessment. | ||
| 7 | Recognition has to be a long and complicated process. | ||
| 8 | Recognition is too expensive for RTOs. |
Answers
| Myths | Answers |
|---|---|
| Myth 1 You can't get a complete qualification through recognition - only a percentage of it. |
Yes you can. The key is to ensure there is sufficient quality evidence for the assessor to make an informed decision. If the candidate has all the required competencies and can prove this, the whole qualification can be awarded through a recognition process. |
| Myth 2 You can only get recognition if you have documentary evidence - a portfolio of paperwork. |
Recognition is about recognising existing knowledge and skills. This may take the form of some documentary evidence but evidence can also be collected by observation and questioning. |
| Myth 3 Recognition is so difficult, you'd be better off doing the course. |
Good practice is about offering a choice of pathways to the candidate, none of which should be more difficult than the other, depending on the candidate's experience. The recognition process should be rigorous but the learning and assessment pathway should be just as rigorous. |
|
Myth 4 Recognition is a high risk activity for RTOs. |
Recognition carries no more risk than any other form of assessment of other services that the RTO may offer, provided it is carried out effectively. |
| Myth 5 It's not worth the effort to promote recognition because of the amount of paperwork required to fulfil the requirement of the Australian Quality Training Framework. |
The paperwork required needs to fulfil the requirements of the AQTF as does all paperwork related to assessment activities of the RTO. Recognition does not require more difficult recording and reporting than other forms of assessment. |
| Myth 6 Qualifications achieved through recognition are not of a similar standing to those achieved through training and assessment. |
Under the National Skills Framework it does not matter how the qualification was obtained. It is still a nationally recognised qualification. If the recognition process is as rigorous as any other assessment process, there should be no more than the usual differences between qualified people. |
| Myth 7 Recognition has to be a long and complicated process. |
No it doesn't - but, it is a process, as is all learning and assessment. The process should suit the candidate's needs and therefore be flexible. The length of the process may depend on the amount of recognition sought by the candidate and the type/s of evidence to be collected. |
| Myth 8 Recognition is too expensive for RTOs. |
Recognition should be costed as any other service provided by the RTO and reasonable fees should apply. Recognition is funded as part of government funded programs. |
Source: Skills Recognition: valuing prior learning. Assessor Guide to recognition of prior learning (NSW Department of Education and Training, 2008)
- Consider your competencies
- See qualifications that match
- Find an RTO to assess you
It's new and improved!
Almost 200 students and employees across New South Wales have helped design the latest version of skillsrecognition.nsw.gov.au.
Part of a study set up in 11 locations, their feedback has simplified and improved how the site works. So it's now even easier for anyone to see how valuable their existing skills are.
Skills Recognition Conference May 2009
View the project resources and video of speakers from the Skills Recognition Conference May 2009.
