Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
Hi-Tech Training recognises the importance of lifelong learning and widening access to education. We are committed to recognising the achievements and attainments of learners, and their development of skills and talents, whether such formation comes from the academic or professional arena, or life experience. We will facilitate recognition of an applicant’s learning outcomes achieved prior to entry to support his/her meaningful engagement with the programme and to avoid unnecessary duplication of outcomes. There is widespread recognition that in an era of ‘lifelong’ learning continuous enhancements to professional education and skills guarantee better career opportunities, mobility and satisfaction for the learner, and a more competent and flexible workforce for society. The central and enabling mechanism for a successful lifelong learning system is the recognition and awarding of credit to learning experiences that may or may not have been previously recognised, measured or assessed, such as a learner’s non-formal, informal and formal learning experiences. In this regard, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is recognised as a critical part of national and EU policy.
Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) refers to situations in which learners request a training provider to consider evidence provided by the learner for purposes of (1) programme access, (2) credit towards an award or exemption from a module or assessment, or (3) grant of a full award.
In some circumstances, a learner may not be able to demonstrate compliance with programme access requirements by conventional means. This may arise because they were educated outside of the Irish education system, or that they did not complete State examinations, or for some other reason.
In such circumstances the learner may request that the provider consider evidence that the learner provides to show that access requirements are met. Such evidence may include certification from another jurisdiction, letters from an employer, or other relevant documents.
Under the QQI awards system, there are four categories of awards: Major, Special Purpose, Supplemental, & Component/Minor. Major awards are comprised of multiple minor/component awards. In most cases Special Purpose awards also comprise multiple minor awards (though much less than the Major awards). Only one Supplemental Award exists in the QQI Awards system, and this applies to Domestic Gas Safety, and can be discounted for the purposes of this section.
A learner may seek to gain credit towards achievement of a Major or Special Purpose award, by providing RPL evidence that they have already achieved the learning outcomes of one or more components of these awards. The provider would need to assess the evidence and make a judgement.
Similarly, a learner may seek an exemption from instruction or assessment related to a training programme which leads to an award, based on a portfolio of supporting evidence.
In the case of Hi-Tech Training, we do not offer full awards (Major or Special Purpose), so consequently we do not offer RPL for credit. Similarly, our programmes are short-duration and cost and time involved in assessing a portfolio of evidence would make RPL for exemption untenable. However, Hi-Tech Training will consider any such application on a case-by-case basis.
As stated above, full awards are Major or Special Purpose awards.
Learners who do not wish to attend a training programme leading to such awards, may request a provider to assess their portfolio of evidence, and grant the full award if the evidence indicates that all the learning outcomes for the award have been achieved by the learner.
Since Hi-Tech Training does not offer full awards, we cannot offer this RPL service.
We will however assist the learner to consult with QQI to source a provider who may be in a position to offer this service.
The following diagram illustrates the procedure for seeking Recognition of Prior Learning.
Process Steps
- Step 1. Learner raises RPL request with Tutor/Assessor or Hi-Tech Training Operations Manager. Initially the request may be verbal for the purposes of clarifications etc., but where the request becomes formal, it must be submitted in writing to admin@hitechtraining.ie. The learner request will be acknowledged and the learner will be asked to provide evidence to support the request.
- Step 2. The request and evidence will be screened, and the screening outcome will be advised to the learner. The screening decision is final. If the request is approved, the evidence will be assessed.
- Step 3. Hi-Tech Training management will liaise with the assessor to review the portfolio of evidence. This is likely to also involve direct dialog with the learner.
- Step 4. The outcome of the RPL assessment will be advised to the learner in writing.
- Recognition of Prior Learning Request Form
A Recognition of Prior Learning Request Form is available on request from admin@hitechtraining.ie or for download.