Flexible Learning – Willie Campbell, CAPL

RPL is something that we have introduced into the Community Learning Centres. Staff have received training in both RPL practice and career advice, and we have incorporated this into our induction which we carry out with each new learner. RPL is not suited to all our learners, but there are some that when we ask them about the informal learning they have carried out, or the skills they have gained from their employment, it is surprising the learners who do not realise that they have transferrable skills which can be used towards a formal qualification and that we can help them gather evidence to support their qualification.

I agree with Willie that the RPL process is not just a Credit Transfer, its enabling candidates to apply their skills set; to a recognised qualification.

Concerns, problems; that I have encountered would be learners selling themselves short, when they don’t realise the skills set that they have is able to be used towards a qualification. To assist with these we use a resource called “Taking Stock of Your Knowledge and Skills”, which is a paper based resource made up of exercises and questions designed for learners to think about the skills they have gained both formally and informally.
Click on the link for a copy of the resource http://docs.google.com/View?id=d728xts_0f9jdxpgj