Skills recognition is a generic term that can be used to cover the ways in which an individual's skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications can be formally acknowledged.
These include:
Recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Recognition of current competency (RCC).
Credit transfer (including national recognition).
Trade recognition.
Overseas qualification assessment.
What is recognition of prior learning?
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process that assesses the individual’s formal and informal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning outcomes of industry competency standards. This process exists so that workers do not have to repeat or undertake training for skills they have already acquired on the job. The benefits of recognition of prior learning include:
enabling existing workers with relevant skills to meet new workplace demands, use new technologies and change jobs
recognising a student’s prior learning so they can gain credit for units of competency in a course they are studying
identifying skills gaps to see what training is needed to complete a qualification
avoiding duplication of training and maximising employer’s training budgets.
What is involved in the recognition of prior learning?
The recognition of skills and knowledge should be acknowledged regardless of where, how or when they were achieved. Skills may have been gained through:
formal or informal training and education
work experience
general life experience
any combination of the above.
The skills of an individual are assessed against the relevant standards established by industry in units of competency. This can be done in a number of ways, including:
work samples
practical demonstrations in the workplace
references and/or interviews with supervisors
certificates or performance reviews
other documented evidence (such as photos of work samples, and testimonials).
Recognition of current competency
Recognition of current competency applies if a client has previously successfully completed the requirements for a unit of competency or module and is now required (for example, by a licensing authority) to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
National recognition
National recognition (previously referred to as mutual recognition) means that a student automatically has credit for units of competency that they have completed at any other registered training organisation in Australia. A statement of attainment from another registered training organisation that contributes to a qualification is reported as a form of credit transfer.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer involves assessing a previously completed course or subject to see if it provides equivalent learning or competency outcomes to those required within the student’s current course of study. It is used when seeking credit for a course or subject already completed.
Trade recognition
Trade recognition is generally applied to apprenticeship occupations, where the applicant has skills and significant work experience in the area. It is usually sought by people who:
have years of experience (the requirements vary from state to state but the minimum is four years)
were trained overseas
need certification to supervise an apprentice
want to gain a licence or a promotion
are undertaking further study.
The eligibility prerequisites, costs, and in some cases the trades recognised, vary from state to state.
Overseas qualification assessments
There are several steps involved in having qualifications gained overseas recognised in Australia. The process is slightly different for people in regulated professions (which require licensing or registration to practice). Australian Education International, though the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) and the Overseas Qualifications Units of each state and territory training authority provide official information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications to Australian qualifications, and the processes for getting qualifications assessed and recognised.
