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Recognition for RTOs

Have you been using skills recognition at your training organisation?

Some teachers have been using it successfully for years with the full support of their organisation. Others have limited exposure to it. What category do you fall into?

A starting point

If you are not sure what skills recognition is, the best place for you to start is the what is recognition page. This page explains the difference between the types of recognition and how recognition works. There are lots of different ways to describe skills recognition or recognition of prior learning (RPL) and this page helps you sort out the basics.

Most assessors and teachers have a reasonable understanding of what skills recognition is, but some have not had the opportunity to implement a successful skills recognition assessment.

Finding the right evidence is often cited by assessors as a stumbling block to skills recognition. Read more about finding and recording evidence.

There are many sites containing information about skills recognition. There is a full list at the links and tools page.

Benefits of skills recognition for assessors

If you have been using skills recognition you will know that it has the following benefits for assessors:

• Efficient delivery method - you only have to teach what the student does not know
• Elimination of duplication and therefore time saving
• Job satisfaction due to student confidence and satisfaction
• Sophisticated learning environment with experienced and mature students

Success factors

The following factors can contribute to a successful skills recognition program:

• Use clear and concise communication (both written and verbal)
• Tailor communication to each student
• Tailor assessment to each student
• Focus on benefits
• Develop strategies 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 a critical success determiner

You can read more about skills recognition for assessors at the FAQ page.

You may also like to find out more about assessing evidence and as a result be more confident about accepting or rejecting evidence.

Stages of the skills recognition process

There is no one prescriptive approach to skills recognition. Each assessor, trainer or teacher will probably have a slightly different methodology which they apply to each candidate.

It may help however to keep in mind these six steps to skills recognition.

It is worth noting that the first step refers to context. Understanding the context within which your student works, or wants to work, is critical to the assessment of skills recognition.

Once you understand context, you can apply one of skills recognitions great strengths - flexibility.

Stages of the recognition process: These stages might help you structure your skills recognition offerings.Source: Skills Recognition: valuing prior learning. Assessor Guide to recognition of prior learning (NSW Department of Education and Training, 2008)