More about Recognition

Recognition is about identifying what you already know and do. It is another pathway towards gaining a nationally recognised qualification through Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Australia. It is sometimes called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Within the training profession, the combination of skills, knowledge, understanding, problem solving and attitudes is known as Competencies. The Recognition process may use a combination of methods to determine your competencies. These include:

• Working out what you already know;
• Asking you some questions about it;
• Observing you doing it (possibly at work, or by video or role play);
• Asking someone familiar with your work, such as a supervisor, to verify your ability to do the task in a real work situation over time. This is often referred to as a Third Party Report.

The process involves using a variety of ways or ‘evidence types’ to demonstrate your competency. Evidence might include:

• Your Resumé
• Certified copies of qualifications and/or certificates
• Samples of work
• Third Party Reports
• Photos
• Audio recordings (perhaps an interview with a client)
• Video
• Job descriptions
• Rosters or Timesheets
• Log books
• Minutes of Meetings, and
• Other evidence relevant to your skills.

The national assessment guidelines require that the evidence gathered is:

• Valid – it must do what it sets out to do, ie it must be directly related to the requirements set out in the competency standard.
• Current – it should reflect what you know and do now rather than out of date knowledge and skills.
• Authentic – there must be no doubt that the evidence is genuine and refers to you - the person being assessed.
• Sufficient – it should be enough to cover the range of skills and knowledge set out in the competency standards.

This means that assessors need to look at your evidence to decide if you have met the above rules. If the assessor feels that there is ‘a gap’ you will work together to develop an action plan to fill the gap.