EXPERIENCE & LESSONS LEARNED
Implementing RPL in the Water Sector
November 2007
Xolani Xaba
Kevin Treffry-Goatley
Lynne Stepney
The Water Academy
INTRODUCTION TO THE WATER ACADEMY
• The Water Academy is accredited to provide Water
Sector qualifications through full Learnership and
Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL).
• The Water Academy has registered over 900 Water
Learners on Learnerships and Skills Programmes
throughout South Africa and is currently engaged in
RPL Programmes in the Eastern Cape and the North
West.
OVERVIEW OF THE RECOGNITION OF
PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
• RPL is a method of assessment that evaluates
prior learning against approved national
standards.
• RPL recognises that people learn outside the
formal education and training system.
• RPL enables formal recognition (i.e.
qualifications) for informally gained
competencies
• RPL requires a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) to
substantiate claims.
THE BENEFITS OF RPL
TO THE WATER SECTOR EMPLOYER
• Skilling staff to ensure succession planning
• Ensure that organisation meets National
Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) statutory
requirements for Water Operators
qualifications
• RPL provides a faster and less costly method of
skills development and the provision of staff
qualifications.
• RPL Learners spend less time off the job since
little or no classroom training is required.
• A qualified and empowered work force is more
motivated and will provide improved service
delivery
THE BENEFITS OF RPL TO THE EMPLOYEE
• Employee’s competencies, expertise &
knowledge are formally recognised
• Employee gains a National qualification,
and can apply for promotion.
• Employee can access further qualifications.
These become stepping stone to career
development.
• Employees self confidence and personal
esteem are enhanced.
ROLEPLAYERS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RPL
IN THE WORK PLACE
• The RPL Advisor. Is provided by the
accredited RPL Provider, and is responsible
for
a) project managing the process
b) providing the necessary Learner
support material and assessment
instruments.
• The Evidence Facilitator, is in a supervisory
position in the workplace and is responsible
for guiding the learning experience.
• The Coach is responsible for the day to day
developing of skills as required.
• Assessor is provided by the workplace or
the RPL Provider .
• Moderator is provided by the RPL Provider
THE 7 STEP PROCESS FOR IMPLEMENTING
THE RPL IN THE WORK PLACE
STEP1:
Conduct Awareness Workshop
Inform Learners and Workplace of
Requirements and Processes and Role-players
STEP 2
• Identify Candidates for RPL Pre-assessment.
• Identify and Train Workplace Role-Players
• Assess Candidates numeracy and literacy
and prior experience
• Place Learners in one of three learning
streams
• Stream A: Learner requires ABET prior to
Learnership
• Stream B: Learner has necessary literacy and
numeracy skills for full Learnership, but not
sufficient relevant experience to be
considered for RPL.
• Stream C: Learner has sufficient literacy
skills and prior experience to be admitted for
RPL pre-assessment for full qualification.
Step 3
Conduct RPL Pre-assessment.
• Supply Pre-assessment instrument supplied
• Candidates briefed as to Pre-Assessment
Process
• Candidates provide supporting evidence of
workplace experience and relevant
qualifications (WP).
• Assess against skills and knowledge
requirements of Learnership
• The Water Academy evaluates pre assessment results, identifies learning gaps
and then recommends either full Learnership
or RPL Learnership.
• The Water Academy Registers Learners with
SETA.
STEP 4
Interview RPL Learners , inform Learner of
learning gaps & supply Study Guides &
RPL Assessment PoE’s
STEP 5
• Learner ,together with Evidence Facilitator
Gather reqiured evidence
STEP 6
• RPL Advisor evaluates evidence and
Identify remaining gaps before formal
Assessment
STEP 7
• Exit Assessment & Moderation, and
Certification
RPL PROCESS SUMMARY
STEP 1
RPL AWARENESS WORKSHOP
STEP 2
ASSESS NUMERACY, LITERACY & PRIOR EXPERIENCE
STREAM A
STREAM B
ABET
FULL
LEARNERSHIP
STREAM C
STEP 3
RPL PRE-ASSESSMENT
RPL LEARNERSHIP
STEP 4
Interview, Provide Study Guide
& PoE
STEP 5
Gather Evidence
STEP 6
Assess
STEP 7
Exit Assessment & Certification
THE TOOLS
1. The Learner Selection and Streaming Tool
2. The RPL Pre- Assessment Tool
3.RPL Study Guides and PoE Tools
4. The Exit Assessment Tool
RPL PRE-ASSESSMENT TOOL
• Conducts preliminary assessment of
knowledge and skills against each unit
standard
• Assess whether candidate has necessary
prior skills and knowledge to either proceed
with RPL or with full Learnership
STUDY GUIDES AND PoE TOOLS
• Study Guides provide knowledge
• PoE provides Assessment Tools
EXIT LEVEL ASSESSMENT TOOL
• Summative Assessment by External Assessor
RPL : OUR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
1. North West Province
In partnership with Sandspruit Works Association
•
Learnership : National Certificate Water Reticulation
Services NQF 2
•
Number of Learners = 8
•
Progress to date : Completed Steps One to Six of
Process, External Moderation and Certification now
required
RPL : OUR PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
2. Eastern Cape
In partnership with WSSA
•
•
•
Learnership : Water and Wastewater Process
Controller NQF 2
Number of Learners = 10 + 8 = 18
Progress to Date : Completed Steps 1,2,and 3 of
Process, next step is to Register Learners with SETA,
and then to issue relevant Study Guides and PoE’s
LESSONS LEARNED
• Need for very close project management by
RPL Provider. Process does not run “on auto”,
and can soon run to a stop unless partnership
is very close.
• Need for detailed assessment against
standard workplace procedures( the SOP’s).
It is not enough to demonstrate that an
outcome has been achieved unless the
correct procedure to achieve the outcome
has been followed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Roll out out RPL in Water Sector in order to
transfer skills when these are still available
• RPL is a method of qualifying and
empowering staff in a cost effective way with
a) speed
b) quality