What is Recognition of Prior Learning?

The SQA Act 2021 defines Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as ‘principles and processes through which the prior knowledge and skills of a person are made visible, mediated and assessed for the purposes of alternative access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development’.

Therefore, RPL means to recognise and validate knowledge, skills and competencies obtained inside and outside the formal education and training systems, for a variety of purposes.

It is a process whereby prior learning acquired formally, non-formally and informally is assessed against unit standards or learning outcomes of a qualification, and is given recognition.

Types of learning

 The following types of learning will be considered for RPL:

• Formal learning delivered by a recognised and accredited education and training institution, for which the candidate has not been awarded any credits. This would be, for example, a part-qualification or short course for professional development, which has been delivered against the learning outcomes of a qualification registered on the Seychelles NQF, but which has not been formally assessed.

• Non-formal learning obtained through short training courses and workshops, through which knowledge, skills and competences have been developed and grown.
  

• Informal learning obtained through work experience, self-study, volunteer activities, leisure and life experiences or any achievements.

 Purposes of RPL

The learner or a potential RPL Candidate should be able to find out the value of his or her knowledge, skills or competencies acquired in the past, through a RPL assessment for the purpose of:

• Personal development by gaining credits towards a qualification;
• Progression into a learning programme;
• Seeking acceptance to higher studies;
• Promotion and salary enhancement;
• Changing a career path;
• Meeting requirements of present employment; and,
• Meeting regulatory requirements of some sectors in terms of employing qualified persons.

The candidate’s competencies will be evaluated against nationally developed standards or learning outcomes approved by the SQA and registered on the SNQF.

Conditions/criteria

RPL can be considered for an individual or for a group. The individual or members of the group must have at least three years relevant occupational, trade or professional experience (paid or voluntary) supported by evidence, in order to be considered for RPL. In addition, potential candidates for RPL will be those who:

• have exited prematurely from the formal education system;
• desire access into further or higher education programmes;
• have been recently made redundant or retrenched and need to validate their knowledge, skills and competence to seek employment;
• want to upgrade their qualifications;
• have attended non-formal short learning programmes and want to achieve a formal award for the learning;
  have gained knowledge, skills and competencies through informal learning.