Recognition of prior learning (RPL) Helping mature learners gain trades qualifications
What is RPL? Over your career, you ve gained knowledge, skills and experience. This might be enough to obtain a current qualification for your industry. To be eligible for RPL you must currently be employed in NZ in the industry that relates to the qualification you are applying for RPL in and have at least eight years experience in that industry/or similar trade. RPL is available for National/New Zealand Certificates as applicable in: Engineering Fabrication (Level 4) with strands: Heavy fabrication Light fabrication Steel construction Mechanical Engineering (Level 4) with strands: Fitting and machining Machining Toolmaking General engineering Maintenance engineering Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Level 4) Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (Mechanical Services) (Level 4). The RPL process Stage 1 Application Stage 2 Review Stage 3 Assessment A competenz Account Manager will asssit you with the application process Prepare and submit evidence of your skills and knowledge along with your application form and relevant documents A Competenz approved RPL assessor reviews your application, checks your referees and visits you in your workplace. You ll find out if your application is successful or not, and if successful you ll be sent your training plan. Any extra training is completed and your work is assessed. 2
Stage 1 Application Before you apply for RPL, you need to make sure your employer is happy for you to do this. Evidence You need to provide two types of evidence: compulsory and supplementary. Any official evidence you supply such as your birth certificate, passport, or work visa will need to be certified by one of the following people: A Justice of the Peace A barrister or solicitor of the High Court A registrar or deputy registrar of the court. Compulsory evidence This gives us the must have information needed to lodge your application. CV and work history Make sure you attach an up-to-date copy of your CV to your application and fill out the employment history section of the application form. (We only need to know details of previous jobs that are related to the qualification you are trying to achieve.) Referees Your referees should have knowledge at least equivalent to the skill level of the qualification you are trying to achieve and must be people you have worked with, or for (excluding family members). At least one referee must be a current supervisor or manager familiar with your most recent work. Your referees need to complete the referee section of your application form and sign the referee declaration. Projects You ll need to describe some projects you ve worked on to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Here are some things to think about when selecting your projects: Is this relevant to the qualification you re trying to achieve? Can someone who worked closely with you on the project be one of your referees? Do you have proof of this project such as photos, plans and timesheets? Citizenship and identification To apply for RPL you must be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a current work visa. New Zealand residents and permanent citizens Make sure you provide a certified copy of your birth certificate, passport or your New Zealand residency with your application. New Zealand work visa Make sure you provide a certified copy of your work permit and fill in the non-new Zealand resident section of the application form. Visa requirements If you have a temporary visa it must remain valid for the course of your training. Overseas qualifications If you have a qualification from another country you ll need to contact NZQA to have this formally assessed. We cannot do this. 3
Supplementary evidence This is any additional information related to your trade which will help to demonstrate your skills and knowledge and can include: Accident/incident forms Safety hazard plans Work procedures Test results As-built plans/records/drawings Job instructions Project or contract details Site safety plans Photographs Time sheets Daily job sheets Plant and equipment records. Note: Please make sure your evidence pack is clear and tidy so it is easy to follow. It could be helpful to use a ring binder with subject dividers. How much does RPL cost? RPL has a non-refundable administration fee of $550 + GST that must be paid at the time you submit your application form and evidence portfolio. You will then be sent an invoice for the full cost of the RPL, payment is due prior to completion of the RPL process. Total costs for an RPL can range from $2,500 - $5000. Submitting your application After checking your application with your Competenz account manager, send your application form, evidence portfolio, a copy of the training plan the account manager has selected for you and adminisitration fee to: Quality Support Competenz Level 4 Office tower 277 Broadway Newmarket Auckland Please do not send originals and take a copy of your portfolio for your own records. We recommend you us a track and trace courier that will be signed for upon delivery. 4
Stage 2 Review Successful application If your application is successful you ll be informed of: The results of your RPL What you have been recognised for and what training you need to complete Who your workplace assessor is The estimated time to complete your qualification (usually between 12 and 24 months). Unsuccessful application If your application is unsuccessful, you ll be notified in writing. Competenz has the right to decline an application if: You have falsified your application in part or as a whole; or You do not have enough knowledge, skills and experience in your trade yet; or Appeals Initially you should try to resolve any issues with your evaluator/assessor. If this is not possible, you can submit an appeal in writing. Appeals must be submitted within ten working days of the application decision, and should include: A clear outline of why you are appealing Any supporting documents Copies of any correspondence about the appeal. Send your appeal letter to: Quality Support Competenz PO Box 9005 Newmarket Auckland 1149 If you are still unhappy with the appeal decision, you can make a final appeal to NZQA. You are not employed within an industry Competenz supports. 5
Stage 3 Assessment Assessment guides To prove your skills and knowledge, Competenz has assessment guides for each unit standard to support your evidence gathering. These can include questions or observation tasks which may require an assessor to watch you doing something at work. Your assessor may allow you to fill in the questions yourself, or they may ask you the questions verbally. When you are finished your assessor will mark you as competent or not yet competent. Your Competenz account manager will be there to guide you through the whole process. Competent Off-the-job training If there are any gaps between your knowledge and the knowledge required for your qualification, you will need to attend some off-the-job training. This will be outlined in your training plan. You or your employer will be expected to cover the full cost of any required additional training. Becoming qualified Once you have completed all of your assessments and off-the-job training, a moderator will check your work to ensure you have met all the requirements of the qualification. If you have, you will be awarded your National Certificate. This means you have the skills required and are one step closer to achieving the qualification. Not yet competent This means you still have some learning to do. You ll get the chance to do this before you re-sit the part of the assessment you got incorrect. You will have two chances to gain a competent mark. If you receive another not yet competent then your account manager will discuss your options with you such as formal training or completing a similar assessment at a lower level first. 6
Competenz is a multi-sector industry training organisation. We help Kiwi industry grow skills, careers and businesses. For more information contact us 0800 526 1800 info@competenz.org.nz www.competenz.org.nz 18042_Mar_2018 7