CANIDATE RPL GUIDE

CANDIDATE RPL GUIDE

SAI GLOBAL LIMITED

Document Name: CANDIDATE RPL GUIDE
Document ID: SAI-EDRTO 35.04 06/14
Date of Issue: 19 June 2014

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CONTENTS

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT ......................................................................................................... 3

PURPOSE .............................................................................................................................................. 3
OVERVIEW OF THE RPL PROCESS .................................................................................................... 4
RPL ASSESSMENT PROCESS ................................................................................................................. 5
GRADING OF QUALIFICATION AND/OR UNITS OF COMPETENCY ................................................................. 7
COST .................................................................................................................................................... 7
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION ...................................................................................................... 8
OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................ 8
PACKAGING RULES ................................................................................................................................ 8
RPL INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................................................... 8
ASSESSMENT TIMEFRAME ...................................................................................................................... 9
EVIDENCE MAP ................................................................................................................................... 10
GENERAL DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................................... 11
TERMS USED IN RPL KIT...................................................................................................................... 11

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

Purpose
This RPL Kit provides detailed information to assist you to apply for RPL for specific units in
a course or the whole qualification.

In order for your skills to be formally recognised as part of a national qualification, you must
demonstrate that you have the required skills and knowledge to meet the industry standard
as specified in the course.

It is important that you are actively involved in the RPL process to ensure that the
experience, skills and knowledge you have gained over time can be correctly identified and
suitably demonstrated. This evidence is gathered and used in recognition of all or some of
the units for the course or qualification you are applying for.

All assessment requirements will be discussed with you in advance and you will be given the
opportunity to ask questions and clarify requirements. Being prepared for the assessment
process and knowing what evidence you need to provide can save you valuable time and
ensure that the RPL assessment is a positive experience for you.

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OVERVIEW OF THE RPL PROCESS

Candidate Enquiry
Candidates Form

Candidate NO Candidate is NOT

Self- ready for RPL
Assessment (advise on training options)

YES

Professional
Conversation & Support

Gap Analysis
(Training if required)
Demonstrate
Competence
Assessment Pathway

Supporting Evidence and

Third Party Report

Issue Statement of Attainment

or Qualification by SAI Global

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RPL Assessment Process

The process for applying for RPL is as follows:

Detailed Description
Candidate Contact SAI-Global online, via email or by phone and complete a Credit
Enquiry RPL enquiry form and submit it along with your resume/ CV and relevant
course transcripts.
Candidate Before you decide to apply for RPL you need to assess your current
Self- competence for one or several units of competency.
Assessment
There is a self-assessment checklist for each qualification on the SAI
Global website.

It is not enough to simply state that you possess the skills and knowledge
required. You must be able to demonstrate competence and provide
evidence against the elements/performance criteria for the relevant unit/s
of competency.

The self-assessment form will help you determine the number of units of
competence that you would like to gain via the RPL process.

Note: It is possible to gain RPL for an entire qualification.

Professional Your Credit RPL enquiry form will be given to an Assessor who
Conversation understands your industry and they will contact you within 48 hours.
& Support
They will review usually with you the information and supporting
documentation you have provided and match up your skills to the
units/subjects in the qualification.

If you would like to proceed with an application they will provide you with
an application form. They will also send you an evidence map for each
unit of competency you would like to gain via RPL.

The assessment process will begin during this meeting, your Assessor will
discuss your self-assessment and any evidence you have provided. It is
at this point that you will be able to identify any previous work experience
and discuss this with your Assessor. You will be required to answer
questions relating to your work experience. This questioning forms part of
the assessment, as it will identify your current knowledge and skills
regarding the area of industry in which you are applying for recognition.

It is at this stage that a decision will be made whether you are able to
proceed to the next step or whether you need to undergo gap training or
complete the unit via the assessment pathway.

Please Note: If you are currently enrolled in a training course relating to

this qualification, it is important that you let your trainer know that you
intend to apply for RPL, then nominate the units you have selected for
RPL so that the required documentation can be processed and your
application can go ahead.

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Detailed Description
Demonstrate Completing the evidence map for a unit is your opportunity to provide as
Competence much proof as you can of the variety of experience you have had. You
should supply examples of your work history if you have any.

By asking your supervisor to complete their part of your self-evaluation,

they will be providing valuable evidence confirming the work experience,
skills and knowledge you have demonstrated in the performance of your
work duties.

The evidence map will contain a list of suggested evidence that you could
use to demonstrate that you are competent in a particular unit or units of
competency.

Depending on your position or industry you have worked in, you may or
may not have documentary evidence available. This should not deter you
from seeking RPL, as your Assessor will work with you throughout the
RPL process.

Please Note: You will be provided with 2 further opportunities after the
initial submission to provide additional evidence (under the guidance of
your assessor).

Practical Assessment (if appropriate)

Your Assessor may organise with you and your employer to conduct a
practical assessment of your skills at your workplace or other suitable
location.

Your Assessor will identify the skills they want you to demonstrate by
asking you to complete certain tasks. The assessment will focus on the
skills required in the work activities which relate to the qualification in
which you are applying for recognition.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your level of competence on a

practical level.

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Grading of Qualification and/or Units of Competency

Not Satisfactory Satisfactory

The learner demonstrates some skills and The learner demonstrates effective skills
knowledge but does not satisfactorily meet and knowledge and satisfactorily meet the
the performance criteria to the element of the performance criteria specific to the element
Unit of Competency. of the Unit of Competency.

Not Yet Competent Competent

The learner demonstrates some skills and The learner demonstrates effective skills
knowledge but does not satisfactorily meet and knowledge and can satisfactorily meet
all of the elements specific to the Unit of all the elements specific to the unit in
Competency. various situations.

The learner only uses basic reflective skills The learner can apply detailed information,
and is unable to link the knowledge to theory. uses reflective skills that link to research and
theory.

Cost
SAI-Global will review your application and invoice you on a per unit basis and engage a
qualified assessor to assess your RPL evidence.

The cost to apply for RPL is set out below:

Credit transfer for current units offered by SAI Global - $50 flat fee

Credit transfer for units that are similar, but were issued under a previous version, or,
may differ in a minor way from the current unit (e.g. a letter A at the end instead of a
B) - $50 per unit

Credit transfer from other training packages that may be used as electives towards
the qualification - $150 per unit of competency

Recognition (RPL) - $350 per unit of competency

* A special rate of $75 per unit applies to RPL of the entry units for the Diploma and
Advanced Diploma of WHS

Please Note: In some cases recognition or direct credit for an identical qualification may be
applicable to some of the units applied for and therefore you will not incur an RPL charge for
that specific unit.

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PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

Overview
You will need to prepare and submit an evidence map for each unit of competency you are
looking to obtain via RPL. The evidence maps help you assemble your application for
submission to SAI Global. You can outline workplace examples of your experience, list any
supporting evidence you would like to provide and then have an experienced person in the
workplace who has observed you demonstrating those skills complete the third party
observation section.

Packaging Rules
Each qualification will has a set of rules governing the units of competency that need to be
completed before a qualification can be issued. You will find the potential list of units
relevant to a qualification issued by SAI Global in the self-assessment guides or the
qualification enrolment form.

RPL Instructions
It is a general requirement that proof of work is provided to back up the claims made within
this documentation. The following is a list of some documents you can provide as examples
of proof of your work:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statements of Attainment, qualifications certificates and/or results of assessments
Any licenses and/or tickets held
Diaries, task sheets and/or logbooks
Workplace/site training records and competencies held
Job Descriptions
Official paperwork
Supplementary workplace evidence including 3rd Party Reports, summary of WHS
projects undertaken (including your role, project outcomes, verified by your
manager)

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Please Note: Refer to the conditions attached to specific types of evidence that you may
wish to submit as set out in the table below:

Detailed Description
Curriculum A copy of your CV explaining in detail your experience in relation to your
Vitae (CV) application for RPL for the BSB51312 Diploma of Work Health and Safety
course. Your assessor will conduct a functional analysis of your CV to
assess what WHS responsibilities and accountabilities you had in each
role.

If you need further guidance refer to the actual units of competence that
you are applying for so you have an understanding of what you need to
cover. You can search for Units of Competency at www.training.gov.au.
Certificates Certified copy of any certificate that states you attended a relevant
course, and in some cases other industry body accreditation. Please
provide transcripts if they are not printed on the back of the certificate
(Certified copies are copies signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) stating
that the original was sighted).
Work Based Details of recent work health and safety project(s) you have been actively
Project and/or involved in; this should include project overview, your role in the project,
Work Related project outcomes/successes, etc. Your manager/supervisor will be
Activities required to verify the project and your involvement by signing and
providing their contact details should the assessor require further
clarification.
Supplementary 3rd Party Report for selected units of competence.
Workplace
Evidence Please Note: It is a general requirement that the choice of Third Party
Observer be substantiated. Your 3rd party needs to be in an equal or
higher role than yourself and understand the requirements of Safety
Officers.
This list is a guide only. If you have other suitable evidence to support your claim for RPL
then you are encouraged to discuss this with your Assessor.

If you do not believe that you have any suitable evidence, then you should discuss your
options with your Assessor.

Assessment Timeframe
You have 3 months to submit your completed RPL kit. SAI Global may withdraw you from
the program if we have not heard from you within 3 months.

You will be provided with two opportunities to submit further evidence if required. Please
allow a 28 day turnaround for the final assessment of your evidence from the date we
receive your RPL application (subject to the condition that all evidence has been provided
and that it is appropriate i.e. if you have to resubmit the turnaround will revert to 28 days
from receipt of additional evidence).

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Evidence Map
Here is an example of an evidence map document for a unit of competency.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element Performance Criteria
Elements Performance criteria
describe the describe the performance
essential needed to demonstrate
outcomes of a achievement of the
unit of element. Refer to range
competency. statement for italicised
criteria
1. Evaluate the 1.1 Identify workplace
effectiveness of hazard identification
the organisations activities and compare of how you feel you meet the
arrangement for them with organisational
identifying WHS WHS policies and
hazards procedures
1.2 Examine products,
processes and systems to
determine whether
hazards of long latency
and low frequency/high
consequence are
included and minimised
1.3 Examine products,
processes and systems to
determine whether risks to
persons other than
workers are identified and
minimised
1.4 Identify organisational
factors that impact on
WHS
1.5 Review outcomes of
examinations with
specialist personnel, if
required
My evidence Third party
observation
Outline any work experience This section is to
and training that meets the be completed by
element of competency and your workplace
provide supporting evidence observer
where possible
In this column you should Overall, the
provide a succinct explanation candidate is able
to evaluate the
competency requirements for effectiveness of
the unit(s) the organisations
arrangement for
List the types of evidence that identifying WHS
you will provide hazards
(Refer to each units evidence
requirements to help you Yes No
decide the most appropriate
and sufficient amount of I have sighted the
evidence) documentation
and observed the
Please Note: that you will candidate
have to collect, prepare, competently
number and assemble this performing the
evidence as part of your duties outlined in
submission (more details on My evidence
how to do this follows).
Yes No
Comments:
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GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Terms used in RPL Kit

Detailed Description
Credit Transfer Credit transfer is used when you have a qualification which is the same as
a part of a course you are about to or are currently enrolled in to
undertake; and you want to seek credit for the part of the course or
subject you have already completed.

Credit transfer is based on agreements between institutions or

organisations as to the credit value to be given for specific units of
competency and learning outcomes within a course or qualification.
Employability Employability skills are required to gain employment or establish an
Skills enterprise; employers consider that these skills are essential to successful
workplace performance.
National A person may be granted national recognition for unit(s) of competency
Recognition they have completed at another RTO in Australia and will not be required
to complete any extra work to demonstrate competency. You will be
required to provide SAI-Global with a certified copy of your transcript
listing the unit completed.
Packaging Packaging rules set out the specific units or combination of units to be
Rules completed in order to meet the requirements of the qualification.
RPL RPL (Recognition of prior learning), also referred to as recognition of
current competencies, is the formal recognition of a person's current skills
and knowledge, no matter how, when or where the learning occurred.
Skills Skills recognition describes the different ways in which a persons existing
Recognition skills and knowledge are measured against competency standards in
order to be granted a whole or partial qualification leading to the issuing of
a Statement of Attainment for one or more units of competency, or a
whole qualification.
Statement of A Statement of Attainment commonly relates to accredited training and
Attainment provides details of all subjects successfully completed by you and all
associated units of competence achieved (found either on the statement
of attainment/certification document or on a separate transcript
document).

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