Contextualising RPL Contextualising RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) (Recognition of Prior Learning) – The role of Line Management – The role of Line Management
in the RPL processin the RPL process
By Ivor Blumenthal
CEO : Services SETA
What is RPL ?What is RPL ?
R.P.L. is nothing other than recognising R.P.L. is nothing other than recognising current competence, as evidence of current competence, as evidence of
the quality of integration of education, the quality of integration of education, training, coaching, mentoring and training, coaching, mentoring and
other life skills and processes.other life skills and processes.
At the heart of all RPL At the heart of all RPL activities are activities are ………………
NQF STANDARDSNQF STANDARDS
Standards are :Standards are :
The bases for writing The bases for writing Training Training CurriculumCurriculum
The basis for SETA’s The basis for SETA’s Accrediting Accrediting Learning ProgrammesLearning Programmes
The foundation of The foundation of knowledge-based knowledge-based AssessmentsAssessments
The building blocks of The building blocks of Professional Professional CertificationCertification
Including in Including in Job DescriptionsJob Descriptions and and Performance AppraisalsPerformance Appraisals
Where does the Line Where does the Line Manager fit-in ?Manager fit-in ?
The Line Manager is responsible for Performance Management
The Line Manager is responsible for measuring competency against standards
The Line Manager is responsible for Performance Counselling
The Line Manager is responsible for Career Counselling
The Line Manager is the RPL Advisor
What is the SDF’s What is the SDF’s responsibility vis-à-vis RPL ?responsibility vis-à-vis RPL ? The SDF is a Process Engineer The SDF is responsible for conscientising the
workplace to the role of RPL in the Performance Management structure of the workplace
The SDF is responsible for initiating the development processes of Line Management
The SDF is responsible for measuring and reporting on the successful implementation of RPL in the workplace
How does RPL fit into the How does RPL fit into the Workplace Skills Planning Workplace Skills Planning
Process, and what is the role Process, and what is the role of the Line Manager in that of the Line Manager in that
process ?process ?
The Workplace Skills Planning Process –The Workplace Skills Planning Process – Stage 1 Stage 1
Analyse the Company, identifying all possible Jobs, and tasks which need to be executed
Recognising the highest level of Job-Related competency
(RPL)
Identifying Performance GAP’s
Developing and getting to “yes” on strategies for addressing the GAP’s including combining
jobs, additional staff to compliment existing
worker gaps etc.
The Workplace Skills Planning Process – Stage 2
Analyse the Company, identifying all possible Jobs, and
tasks which need to be executed, defining them in terms of
Standards
This is the component of the Workplace
Skills Plan in-which opportunities for full
and partial
Learnerships and Skills Programmes
are identified
Agree on strategies, targets and
responsibilities within the company
for addressing these
DEFFICIENCIES
Identify Skill DEFFICIENCIES
How can Line Managers add How can Line Managers add value to the Standards value to the Standards Generating Process ?Generating Process ?
Standards become part of the language of the workplace
Line Managers and their subordinates work and are measured according to these Standards daily
Line Managers are ideally placed, working through their SDF’s to be continuously referring Quality issues regarding Standards back to respective SETA’s and their ETQA’s
What specific input can Line What specific input can Line Managers have into Quality Managers have into Quality Assurance of Standards ?Assurance of Standards ? Line Managers become the vehicles for
ETQA’s to use in testing Standards for Reliability and Validity
Line Managers become the vehicle to test and expand Range Statements and Assessment Methodologies in Standards, given their daily application of these instruments
Line Managers are the catalysts Line Managers are the catalysts required by SAQA and the National required by SAQA and the National
Skills Authority, to ensure that Skills Authority, to ensure that Standards and Qualifications Standards and Qualifications
become part of the language of the become part of the language of the workplace, becoming operational workplace, becoming operational
vehicles for measurement and vehicles for measurement and change, upon which reward change, upon which reward
systems of the future are based, systems of the future are based, and recruitment practices are and recruitment practices are
standardised.standardised.
