116587: Develop, support and promote RPL practices (NQF 7, 10 credits)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is not a uniquely South African concept. RPL is practiced in most countries in the world, where it is used to help minority groups access the workplace and further educational opportunities. But in South Africa and many other African countries, RPL is about transformation and redress. In South Africa, the promise of RPL is that it will open up access to further education and workplaces that were previously denied to the majority of citizens. But this promise of RPL remains largely unfulfilled. RPL has not been taken to scale in most sectors and there remains what SAQA refers to as “islands of RPL excellence” driven by RPL champions who will not give up.
Dr Karen Deller is one of the South African RPL champions. She has been instrumental in the design and implementation of many large scale RPL projects in southern Africa. She was also the designer of the world-first online RPL portal that Chartall Business College developed in conjunction with BANKSETA to massify RPL in SA. This RPL portal was recognised for its innovation at the third international VPL Biennale conference held in Berlin, Germany in May 2019. International recognition for pioneering RPL work in South Africa.
Other projects that Dr Deller has worked on include those in agriculture, banking, insurance, real estate and management, as well as a four-year longitudinal RPL research project funded by SAQA which resulted in a book published by the HSRC. As Dr Deller teaches you about RPL practices in accordance with the SAQA registered unit standard 116587 [Develop, support and promote RPL practices], she also brings the material to life by relating the theory back to her own research and experiences.
In addition to the practical application and experience that Dr Deller brings to this skills programme, the advocacy section (week 7) has been curated and delivered by John Arneson who was the SAQA Director of the Advocacy, Communication and Support for five years. It was under John’s skilful watch that SAQA developed the initial national RPL advocacy campaign, so you are learning first hand from the person who sketched the blueprint for RPL advocacy in South Africa as way back as 2004 and then again from 2009 when he returned to SAQA after a time back in the corporate world.
Do I Qualify for RPL?In order to qualify for RPL, you will need to have relevant prior learning. In this case, you need to have written RPL policies, compiled advocacy strategies and done RPL assessments in one of the sub frameworks of the NQF.
People choosing RPL should note that there is no training and no training materials with the RPL option. You simply complete the assessment. All assessments are completed using your existing learning as the basis for your answers. Your lecturer will, however, be available to answer any questions you may have.
Learners must have a PC or tablet (or smart phone, but this could be too small to complete your assessments on) with sufficient internet connectivity to download and upload your assessments. A good level of computer literacy is also advantageous.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | COMMENTS | |
Is this accredited? |  | This course comprises of one unit standard (SAQA ID 116587: Develop, support, and promote RPL practices) which is recognised and accredited by ETDP SETA. |
Is this Unit Standard aligned? | | This course comprises of one unit standard (SAQA ID 116587: Develop, support, and promote RPL practices) which is recognised and accredited by ETDP SETA. |
Do I write tests/exams? |  | This skills programme is assessed through the submission of a Portfolio of Evidence. |
Must I submit a Portfolio of Evidence? | | This skills programme is assessed through the submission of a Portfolio of Evidence. |
Can I earn exemptions? | | This skills programme is not eligible for exemption. |
Is it available via RPL? | | Additional requirements must be adhered to, to qualify for RPL. |
Do I need to be employed to enrol? | | You do not need to be employed to complete this short course. However, the credit value is based on the assumption that people learning towards this unit standard already understand and can practice the key principles of an outcomes-based system in general, and standards-based assessment in particular. Ideally students should be SETA registered assessors (but this is not essential of the student comes from higher education or the schooling sector). |
Is this a fully online course? | | Yes, the course is fully online. The course material is a combination of e-learning, resources, and pre-recorded e-lectures. |
Do you offer a blended learning option? | | Yes, we offer a blended learning approach. This is available as part of our corporate training and development solutions |
Do I need the internet access for this course? | | Yes, you do need internet access. A PC or tablet with sufficient connectivity to download learning materials and view videos. |
Duration | 16 weeks | |
Skills level | NQF level 7 |
Course Features
- Lectures 8
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 4 - 5 hours per week
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 54
- Assessments Yes
- The content is curated into eight weeks as follows:
- Week 1: Introduction to RPL and the online course
- Week 2: Relevant legislation & the concept of RPL
- Week 3: RPL purpose & RPL models
- Week 4: Drafting RPL policies, procedures & plans
- Week 5: The RPL process & role players
- Week 6: RPL assessment in the three sub frameworks of the South African NQF as well as professional bodies
- Week 7: RPL advocacy with John Arneson
- Week 8: Practical examples and lessons learnt from Karen’s RPL experience spanning 15 years
