AQTF Standards for Recognition Assessment With Meyrick Gilchrist

RPL Assessment (also known as RCC, Recognition, Etc) a process of gathering, recording and judging quality evidence that demonstrates a candidate’s competence in a given set of units of competency. a process of gathering, recording and judging quality evidence that demonstrates a candidate’s competence in a given set of units of competency. To implement such a process effectively, we need To implement such a process effectively, we need accurate, helpful information and guidelines for candidates; accurate, helpful information and guidelines for candidates; well structured assessment tools and evidence recording documents; and of course, well structured assessment tools and evidence recording documents; and of course, a qualified assessor. a qualified assessor.

Assessment Evidence For RPL, as for ALL assessment, the assessor and candidate must be quite clear from the outset about the nature of evidence and what constitutes quality evidence. For RPL, as for ALL assessment, the assessor and candidate must be quite clear from the outset about the nature of evidence and what constitutes quality evidence. Many an RPL process has come to grief because of confusion about evidence. Many an RPL process has come to grief because of confusion about evidence. What IS evidence and what is NOT evidence? These are the questions. What IS evidence and what is NOT evidence? These are the questions.

What is Evidence? Evidence is proof. No matter whether it is direct, indirect or supplementary, it has to be able to be authenticated. Evidence is proof. No matter whether it is direct, indirect or supplementary, it has to be able to be authenticated. In the case of RPL, its authentication is mostly reliant on documents (hard /soft copy), recordings, photos etc that are clearly linked to the candidate. In the case of RPL, its authentication is mostly reliant on documents (hard /soft copy), recordings, photos etc that are clearly linked to the candidate. A candidate telling you about something they have done may provide a useful context, but it is not in itself evidence. A candidate telling you about something they have done may provide a useful context, but it is not in itself evidence. Self-assessment is not evidence; Self-assessment is not evidence; CV’s and job descriptions on their own is not evidence, unless they are clearly linked to specific examples of what the candidate has done in those contexts. CV’s and job descriptions on their own is not evidence, unless they are clearly linked to specific examples of what the candidate has done in those contexts.

Quality Evidence Quality evidence is evidence that is valid; sufficient; current; authentic. Quality evidence is evidence that is valid; sufficient; current; authentic. It must address all the specific evidence requirements It must address all the specific evidence requirements of individual Training Packages/Accredited courses; of individual Training Packages/Accredited courses; the dimensions of competence and employability skills, and the dimensions of competence and employability skills, and be able to stand up to scrutiny and validation. be able to stand up to scrutiny and validation.

The RPL Assessor All assessors do the same thing – gather, record and judge evidence. All assessors do the same thing – gather, record and judge evidence. The principles of assessment and rules of evidence apply to ALL assessments. The principles of assessment and rules of evidence apply to ALL assessments. The RPL assessor’s role is the role outlined in the TAA assessment units, with specific application to a recognition pathway. The RPL assessor’s role is the role outlined in the TAA assessment units, with specific application to a recognition pathway. The RPL assessor is the person with full responsibility for all aspects of a candidate’s assessment. The RPL assessor is the person with full responsibility for all aspects of a candidate’s assessment. In any assessment process, an assessor may enlist the help of third parties – In any assessment process, an assessor may enlist the help of third parties – technical/content experts; technical/content experts; managers, supervisors, managers, supervisors, mentors, teachers, other assessors. mentors, teachers, other assessors. Through the whole process, however, it is the assessor who must call the tune and make the final decisions – on the basis of ALL the evidence gathered. Through the whole process, however, it is the assessor who must call the tune and make the final decisions – on the basis of ALL the evidence gathered.

Issues A number of issues and questions have already been raised. These include: A number of issues and questions have already been raised. These include: holistic assessment; holistic assessment; use of commercial materials by RTO’s; and use of commercial materials by RTO’s; and questions about the frequency of RTO audits. questions about the frequency of RTO audits. I will address these briefly here, but suggest they could also be discussed in a brainstorming session later. I will address these briefly here, but suggest they could also be discussed in a brainstorming session later.