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What is Prior Learning?

NZQA explain Prior Learning well on one of their webpages. Prior Learning 
 
The processes of assessing Prior Learning are commonly referred to as RPL, APL, RCC and may also include cross crediting or credit transfer in a formal education arrangements.
 
There is a range of methods that APL, RPL & RCC can be applied but essentially your existing knowledge and/or current competencies will be assessed after your training or experience has been acknowledged as being sufficient to demonstrate that tyou are ready for assessment.
 
Your Assessor may collect a wide range of current and diverse evidence to judge against the assessment requirements. 
 
  It may be more manageable for all parties if the candidiate was to complete a common assessment task or collect the evidence outlined in the approved assessment or evidence guides currently being used by the Assessor.
 

Edbiz Assessment of Prior Learning Services

:: Assessment of Learning Unit Standards

The Unit Standard information for those units listed are outlined on our 
Unit Standard Summary Page
 

Assessment of Prior Learning

On this page:  APL Service Description | APL Application Process

What is Assessment of Prior Learning?

Assessment of Prior Learning is a term used to encapsulate one of the founding principles of standards based assessment and the National Qualification Framework (NQF) in NZ.

Simply put, the principle acknowledges that people can learn in a wide range of different settings, both formal and informal to gain knowledge and develop skills which can be transferred to get recognition or credit on the NQF.

There are a few processes that have been developed to do this and they vary a little depending on the entry requirements and the assessment policies and procedures of the Accredited NZQA Providers including the Industry Training Organisations.

Some refer to the process as Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) and they do vary in approach and process. 

Credit Transfer or Cross Crediting is also a process that may be considered when assessing prior learning.

RCC tends to lend itself to practical or skill based standards and RPL to the knowledge based standards but essentially they are processes of assessment to collect the required evidence to demonstrate a candidates competency against the unit standard outcomes and assessment requirements.

Assessment Of Prior Learning Service


In some instances we can use our Assessment of Prior Learning Service which recognises your knowledge and skills previously gained to develop an evidence and assessment plan for the NZQA Assessment of Learning Unit Standards. Eg Unit 4098
Assessment of Prior Learning can often incorrectly be referred to as 'Assessment Only'. It for important to understand the process behind acknowledging a persons prior learning and establishing that relevant and complete prior learning has occurred alongside current experiences that should have produced sufficient evidence to demonstrate an individuals' current competency.

Our service will go through this process and may identify areas or gaps of learning or evidence which need to be addressed before assessment can take place.
An experienced Assessor, still needs to collect and evaluate the evidence, make a series of assessment decisions leading to an assessment result using pre approved assessment material and processes which is subject to moderation just like any other assessment completed by an NZQA Provider.
:: Candidate Assessor Suitability
This service is subject to an interview to establish experience and prior learning from within the adult education sector and is suitable for those who have:
  • already completed an Assessor Training Course in the past,
  • hold an equivalent standard from another national framework Eg, UK, Australia, South Africa and wish to transfer your learning
  • had sufficient experience and informal learning with assessment or moderation within specific organisation(s)and are endorsed by that organisation
This service is not suitable and not available for those who wish to bypass the training & learning process and do a fast or quick assessment of the unit standards.
:: Gaps in Learning or Evidence

We will also include access to our Online Assessor Training Course resources to ensure that you are up to date with current terminologies and understand the NZ Standards Based Assessment System and how to apply your knowledge and skills to the NZ Organisation you will be assessing within.

How do I Apply & What is involved with Assessment of Prior Learning?

 
You will be required to enrol, agree on an Evidence & Assessment Plan indicating the evidence you will be required to collect and submit and the timeframe in which you will have to submit your evidence for assessment.

Our Assessor Trainer will help plan the two assessments required, establish the ITO and Workplace organisation requirements and provide email support as required to respond to any questions you may have regarding your assessment and the evidence portfolio you will put together.

Your Assessment will be supported by an experienced Assessor who will plan your assessment with you which may involve you:

•    Compiling your own evidence portfolio & gather attestations from qualified people who can verify your performance and the assessment requirements.

•    Complete a pre approved or Common Assessment Task(s) for the unit standard(s) you are looking to be assessed against.

This is because it is not always possible to provide all the evidence required for assessment, and we find that our process more often than not will lead to a challenge or rapid assessment where you will be required to complete pre approved assessment tasks.
 
This allows you to produce current evidence that you have the knowledge and skills required to demonstrate competency in the units that you have selected.

Assessment of Prior Learning Fees (Per Person)

:: Assessment of Unit 4098 & Unit 11281 (Integrated) - $236.80 +GST 
 
:: Assessment of Unit 11552 - Design Assessment - $248.40 +GST 
 
:: Assessment of Unit 11551 - Moderate Assessments - $248.40 +GST
 
 
Our APL services includes:
  • An Initial Interview to determine suitability of the process for the candidate assessor
  • Access to our Online Learning Resources if required
  • An Initial 'Set Up'  Session to plan the assessments with our Assessment  Consultant
  • Unlimited email support & scheduled phone calls to support the evidence collection process with our Assessor Trainer
  • Assessment  Consultant session with the organization to verify assessment policies and procedures and Forms and explain the APL process
  • Assessment of the portfolio(s) & reporting of the unit standards involved

Application Process

To start the enrolment process or to email us with any questions please use our
 
 
We will reply to your email and give you a call to discuss your specific situation and begin planning your assessment(s).
If you prefer you can call 0508 60 60 60 from any landline for more information.

APL Process Summary

Email Edbiz and we will arrange a phone interview to establish your prior learning and experiences.
 
We will Agree on an Evidence and Assessment Plan
 
You will Submit your evidence for assessment to assess your Current Competencies
 
A Specialist Assessor will verify, evaluate and assess your evidence and report the assessment result.

Assessor Courses Available

 
If you can not evidence that you have prior learning we have 1 on 1 Assessor Training options available:
 
Online 4098 Assessor Training
 
Assessor Training Courses
 
Assessment Designer Training
 
Moderator Training
 
 
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