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.