Recognition of prior learning and experience

When you enrol in a course at Northern Sydney Institute, the skills, knowledge and experience you have gained from your previous learning, work experience and life in general may be taken into account. Recognition (also known as RPL) is the process by which you could be granted credit towards part or all of a nationally recognised qualification.

Recognition can mean that you are awarded a nationally recognised qualification or are issued with a statement of attainment for part of a qualification rather than a whole qualification. You may not need a whole qualification, depending on your job role, so a statement of attainment may be more relevant to you.

You need to ask yourself:

• Have I done this recently and do I remember it thoroughly?
• Have I practised it enough to be confident?
• Can I describe how I do this?
• Do I have any documentation to support my claim?
• Could I demonstrate this to someone else?

If you can answer yes to all these questions you should apply for recognition.

Your knowledge and skills may be assessed by a variety of methods. These include portfolio, practical test, demonstration, interview or a combination of these.

• You will have your skills recognised.
• You will gain your qualification faster as you won't 'have to repeat learning for skills and knowledge you already have.
• Recognition enables you to identify gaps in your 'knowledge and skills and therefore any training you need to undertake to 'meet the requirements of a particular job role or qualification.