The purpose of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is to help you assess how well you did or didn’t do a certain skill. It can be used in numerous contexts. If you’re doing a job interview, for example, you could learn something in the course of the interview. Or if you’re taking part in a contest, you could learn something during that course. In any case, it can be helpful if you have an RPL to help you evaluate your skills.
A huge percentage of people suffer serious obstacles and they migrate to other areas, when trying to attend higher education or find suitable employment in the absence of recognized credentials. By assisting these people in obtaining a formal certification that is aligned with their knowledge and abilities, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process can enhance their employment, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion, and self-esteem.
To obtain a qualification, you must complete study; however, with RPL, you can bypass this step by demonstrating that you have gained the same knowledge and skills through experience.
RPL increases the likelihood of inclusion in the labour force is a win-win situation. Employers are also able to access proof that skilled workers exist and can better match them with jobs. It also helps increase productivity. Governments can also have greater assurances about increased competitiveness, economic growth, and social inclusion and equity.

RPL Helps

. To acknowledge and, where appropriate, provide advanced standing for the competence attained by qualified people outside of the classroom.
· To aid those starting out on a learning path in their overall assessment and self-evaluation.
· To promote conversation across different knowledge- and practice-based sites, thereby enhancing the academy and the curriculum.
· To make higher education more accessible and to make amends for previous injustices.
· To encourage and support lifelong learning.

Time Saving

You don’t need to spend a lot of time on something you already know. Through this process, your abilities and aptitudes will be determined. It gives you the ability to maximise your time rather than trying to improve yourself in groups or classes. You have the chance to cut costs and save time by using RPL.

Skills Recognition

The method of past learning recognition will ensure that your skills are properly applied rather than wasting them because you were unable to obtain any qualifications. In addition to being acknowledged, your skills will also be given a certification requirement.

Benefits for the workforce

The candidates will be able to align their existing competencies for improved prospects in higher education through RPL assessment and certification. RPL assists them in exploring various possibilities for skilling and upskilling to close the knowledge and skill gaps in addition to helping to create an equal system.

Benefits for the industry

RPL has two benefits from having its workforce certified under RPL: (1) formally recognised skill levels matched with QPs and job positions; and (2) opening up new avenues for employees to advance their skills and grow through bridge courses and short-term training.

RPL evaluates people’s prior knowledge and skills and issues certificates to them primarily in the unregulated sector.

Objectives of RPL

1) Align the competencies of the nation’s unregulated sectors is one of RPL’s primary goals.
2) Increase people’s chances of finding work and give them more possibilities for pursuing higher education.
3) Reduce the disparities that exist as a result of the Advantages of RPL that some types of knowledge and abilities have over others.

Skills strategies for future labour markets

The skills required by the labour market and those being offered by the workforce continue to lag in many countries. Skills anticipation is a purposeful and organized process through which participants in the labour market detect and get ready to fill future skill gaps, thereby preventing them from occurring. A skills anticipation strategy improves the utilization of skills and the development of human capital by empowering training providers, young people, policymakers, employers, and employees to make better educational and training decisions.

Skills for social inclusion

One of the main goals of RPL is to increase the quality of work and job chances for those who are underrepresented in the labour market. Improved outreach, quality, and relevance of education and training, as well as stronger connections to the working world, all need concerted and targeted efforts. Given the diversity of marginalized groups, including women, young people, people with disabilities, workers in rural areas or the informal economy, migrants, or refugees, education and training systems and programmes must:

· remove the variety of current obstacles through carefully planned policy intervention;
· Be flexible and able to meet different needs.,
· deal with status-related issues, and refute social norms.

Additionally, focused RPL Courses to address the difficulties faced by specific groups should support efforts to create inclusive TVET systems. Active labour market programmes (ALMPs) are more likely to improve employability and ease transitions to decent work if they provide a package of support services including remedial education, core skills, vocational and job readiness training, work experience, awareness of labour rights and occupational safety and health, job-search assistance, career guidance, and counseling.

Recognition of Prior Learning provides

· Skills for migrant workers
· Skills for Gender Equality
· Skills for rural employment
· Skills for transitions to formality
· Skills for persons with disabilities
· Skills to combat forced labour
· Skills for youth employment
· Core employability skills
· Skills in Fragile Settings

Work-based learning, apprenticeships, and prior learning assessment

All levels of development are increasingly placing work-based learning, especially apprenticeships, high on their policy agendas due to its potential to reduce skill mismatch, meet the demands of a labour market that is rapidly changing, offer

cost-effective training, encourage private sector development, and ease transitions into the workforce.
All forms of education that take place in a genuine working setting are referred to as work-based learning. The most typical forms of work-based learning are apprenticeships (both formal and informal), internships/traineeships, and on-the-job training. These types typically, but not always, incorporate components of classroom-based learning with job learning. It necessitates strong coordination between the social partners, businesses, government agencies, and TVET institutions.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) method can aid those without credentials in obtaining a credential that matches their knowledge and abilities, enhancing their employability, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion, and self-esteem in the process.

The Branch’s work on job-based learning, apprenticeships, and RPL comprises the following areas of study and technical assistance:
· Quality Apprenticeships
· Upgrading Informal Apprenticeships
· Core employability skills
· Pre-apprenticeships

RPL Industries/Certifications

· Automotive
· Building & Construction
· Business & Finance
· Civil Construction
· Community Services
· Engineering
· Hair & Beauty
· Horticulture & Land Management
· Commercial Cookery & Hospitality
· Information Technology
· Mining & Resources
· Plumbing Services
· Security & Cleaning
· Transport & Logistics
· Vocational Education & Training
· Retail Services
· Events & Entertainment

Importance of RPL

Those with experience in their profession can quickly advance in their careers by earning RPL certificates. No matter what age group they are, individuals can use their practical knowledge and abilities to earn nationally recognized qualifications that will make them more marketable to employers. It takes just a few weeks based on your prior work experience, including any relevant community or industry organizations, where applicable, making the process easier than ever before. Additionally, these programmes allow participants to enter new industries without having to commit to lengthy school periods, which promotes healthy rivalry between generations.
The ability to convert your talents into certifications offers you an advantage over other applicants in the fiercely competitive job market and attracts potential employers. When search engines are used to narrow down applicants, they also help your resume appear higher in search results.

“RPL Certification can also reassure an employer that you are open to change and constantly striving to become a better version of yourself rather than viewing education as a one-time event”.