Recognized prior learning (RPL) assessment is a global process used to validate the skills and knowledge obtained by certain individuals outside and within the confines of formal and non-formal education.
In Australia, for instance, engineering professionals and technical workers can tap RPL primarily to find suitable employment or gain a competitive edge in the job market. An RPL Australia certification likewise enables residents and overseas migrant workers to fast-track their career advancement so long as they’ve obtained the right qualifications, experience, and skills.
But how does RPL certification work for engineers, and how can they use it to their advantage? Let’s discuss the details below.
Understanding RPL Australia
The policies and guidelines for RPL are country-specific. In other words, you might find slight variations in the recognition process in Australia and the United States. Even so, its foundational principle remains the same: learning isn’t confined to the four corners of a classroom.
With this in mind, the Australian government uses RPL to evaluate whether an individual’s job experience can be converted into a qualification. Assessors use an applicant’s prior education, knowledge, skills, and work experience to complete the recognition procedure. Both residents and overseas migrant workers can apply.
The Role Of RTOs In Australia’s RPL Process
Registered training organizations (RTOs) are vital in Australia’s RPL process. These are required to provide individualized services to their enrollees. For instance, if you plan to get your RPL with Gimbal Training, the staff must consider your personal skills, experience, formal and informal education, characteristics, and career goals to develop an appropriate training strategy.
How Does RPL Australia Work For Engineers?
The RPL evaluator will assess an engineering professional by looking at their formal qualifications and obtained skills and experience. The process starts with the applicant providing documentary evidence of their claims.
Formal qualification evaluation determines whether the person has completed a formal and accredited academic course and program. Meanwhile, RPL accreditation considers the competencies gained outside classroom settings, like on-the-job training, self-study, or work experience.
After gathering detailed documents, the applicant will be interviewed by organization representatives and asked to show what they know.
Migrant Engineers And CDR
Migrant workers seeking to gain a professional visa as an engineer will be required additional documents, like the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). This requirement is meant for submission to Engineers Australia, the organization mandated to assess an RPL applicant’s prior skills, experience, and technical knowledge.
A CDR is likewise required by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) for individuals who don’t have formal information and communications technology (ICT) qualifications or degrees. This technical report must contain three primary sections, including Continuing Professional Development, Career Episodes, and Summary Statement. An English language proficiency test will likewise be required for non-native English speakers.
Once issued, an RPL Australia certification can then be converted either to earn formal or partial formal qualification credits without the need for further academic studies.
How Engineers Can Use RPL To Their Advantage
Engineering is a highly technical profession that covers multiple areas of specialization. It’s a field that thrives in innovation and improvements that can only be gained through practical experience. Recent reports indicate a shortage of engineering workers in Australia, and anyone interested in building a career in the industry, whether a resident or a migrant, is always welcome.
By obtaining an RPL certification in Australia, you can enjoy the following benefits:
1. Obtain A License
No matter where you are, you need to obtain government-recognized qualifications before being allowed to practice your profession. For migrant workers and engineers, getting an RPL in Australia is the first step in getting an engineering license.
RPL involves getting the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired through formal and non-formal settings validated by the government. As such, experienced engineers elsewhere can earn a formal qualification without starting from scratch and enrolling in a four-year engineering course. With ample experience and knowledge from your extensive work experience, you don’t have to earn an engineering diploma.
2. Find A Suitable Engineering Job
As you can use your engineering RPL Certification to validate your skills and competencies, you can start practicing your engineering profession and increase your competitive edge in the employment sector.
An RPL Australia certification can boost your resume whether you specialize in civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, or other engineering fields. Simply put, RPL provides you with the much-needed validation so you can find a job in an organization that values your skills and qualifications.
3. Expand Your Employment Opportunities
Overseas workers may have limited work opportunities because they need the accreditation and formal qualifications required by the government. RPL Australia allows migrant professionals to show their competencies and knowledge, enhancing their career opportunities.
Suppose you’ve gained adequate experience in multiple engineering fields. In that case, you can use your RPL certificate to tell potential employers that you have what it takes to get the job done. For instance, if you’ve been operating industrial machinery and took charge of the maintenance and repair activities in your previous job, have these skills validated by RPL so you can apply for other positions.
4. Use RPL To Pursue Further Education
Additionally, your RPL can help you choose a learning pathway that allows you to further your formal qualifications and enroll in more advanced courses. For instance, if you’ve yet to complete your engineering education but have experience working as an assistant in an engineering firm, an RPL certification can help you obtain academic credits and convert them into a formal qualification.
Additionally, suppose your formal and RPL qualifications from your home country are at par with a two-year engineering associate course. In that case, you only need two more years to get a bachelor’s degree in Australia. This saves you time and costs while accelerating your career progression.
Concluding Thoughts
RPL certification can be used in many ways according to your career goals. Obtaining such a document makes you a more attractive candidate, as most employers in the engineering field value experience and practical knowledge over formal learning.
The validation you get from an RPL certificate boosts your credibility and confirms that you can excel in the position you’re applying for. More importantly, converting your experience into a formal qualification opens more doors for pursuing advanced knowledge or higher-paying positions in and outside your company.
