Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is the identification, assessment and acknowledgement of an individual's skills and knowledge within the context of a specific qualification, irrespective of how and where they have been acquired.

Skills and knowledge can be acquired by means of various informal learning opportunities, for example:

• informal training
• on-the-job experience
• life experience
• short courses

Please note that RPL does NOT give credit based on previously completed studies at other institutions.

The process of RPL applied at Spectrium:

• Identifying what a person knows and can do;
• Matching the person’s knowledge, skills and experience to specific standards and the associated assessment criteria of a qualification;
• Assessing the learning against those standards; and
• Crediting the person for skills, knowledge and experience built up through formal, informal and non-formal learning that occurred in the past

In practice what this means is that a learner or an employee’s non-traditional or non-formal experience and learning can be recognised.

The Nature of the RPL

The RPL assessment is mostly summative in nature with formative assessment done only to a learner where further action is taken after the advisory session. The assessment of candidates is done against the same unit standards and exit level outcomes of qualifications using the same assessment criteria as for other full time learners. What is demanded of a full time learner has to be met fully by an RPL learner during assessment.
Assessment of RPL learners can be on a one to one basis or even on group basis just like full time learners. If 50% is demanded as a pass mark for full time learners, the same should apply for RPL learners.
Certificates obtained through RPL are the same as those obtained through full time learning so as to prevent discrimination of the RPL learners.
However, recording of RPL learners and their achievements is kept by the respective ETQAs and providers involved. This will help track the success or failure of RPL implementation in South Africa

What are the benefits of doing RPL?

We assist and support learners and individuals with RPL services in respective fields of learning. Spectrium offers opportunities to those learners who would like to:

• complete their qualifications
• return to learning
• have their formal, informal and non-formal learning, skills and competences recognised to enable progression in their career paths.

What are the employer benefits of doing RPL?

• recruit or promote staff and place them in appropriate positions and skills classifications
• undertake a skills audit of staff to determine the company’s training priorities and objectives
• comply with competency requirements of regulatory authorities

What are the employee benefits of doing RPL?

• demonstrate that you have the competence for a particular workplace position or industry classification
• to obtain a declaration that you have attained certain knowledge, skills and competencies

What types of RPL programs can I register for?

For more information on RPL please contact us on: Tel: +27113391746 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it