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Saqa and eDegree

The NQF Support Link – focusing on RPL

Thu, 22 May 2008 09:38

Improving the skills of South Africans and addressing the scarce and critical skills shortage is a priority for our government. This requires South Africans to be committed to lifelong learning and to have access to quality education and training.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF), a means to transform education and training in South Africa, promotes the development of a nation that is committed to lifelong learning.

It is the set of principles and guidelines by which records of learner achievement are registered to enable national recognition of acquired skills and knowledge, thereby ensuring an integrated system that encourages lifelong learning.

This has positive consequences in that when learners know that there are clear learning pathways that provide access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths, they are more inclined to improve their skills and knowledge.

Companies and organisations involved in education and training need to understand the importance and potential of the NQF to enhance effectiveness while improving the skills base of the workforce. They need to ensure that the education and training they offer or their employees receive is aligned to the NQF.

A principal mechanism for promoting the aims of the NQF, the NQF Support Link was developed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), specifically to clarify understanding and promote competence in using the NQF. SAQA is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the NQF.

The NQF Support Link is a comprehensive learning system solution, delivered by eDegree, and comprises an integrated suite of flexible learning resources and tools to implement the NQF. Thus, it has valuable potential for deepening the competence of people in managing education and training programmes.

The NQF Support Link is made up of seven modules, each designed to encourage creative responses to concepts introduced by the NQF and to lead to new competencies in handling the processes of achieving standards of compliance. All the modules are aligned to registered unit standards.

They cover a range of learning areas, including a general introduction to the NQF, strategic governance, the management of learning programme design and delivery, the management of assessment, the implementation of learnerships and the data transfer processes related to the National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD).

The recently launched seventh module, the NQF and RPL, focuses on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - one of the most inspiring innovations that the NQF has brought to education and training.

Many South Africans have not had the privilege of gaining formal qualifications, yet have gained skills and knowledge through various means, such as practical work experience. RPL allows this learning to be formally acknowledged and competence to be recognised, no matter how it was achieved.

As our education and training system matures, RPL will increasingly support the principle of lifelong learning This will ensure that South Africans are encouraged to develop and improve their skills continuously.

The NQF and RPL module outlines the key defining features of RPL as a theory and a practice, recognising the national and strategic importance of RPL in ensuring equity in the arena of education and the labour market.

As this is a relatively new concept, implementing it can be challenging. Gathering and assessing evidence of competence is demanding, while rigour is essential to ensure the credibility of credits awarded for RPL.

The RPL module is specifically aimed at those operating at a strategic, systems and managerial level who need to implement RPL, but it also serves as a useful introduction to RPL for any education and training practitioner.

Learners of this module will understand the various elements required in the design and implementation of an RPL project. They will be able to develop RPL policies, procedures and plans for their organisations and provide advice, support and promote RPL practices.

Material is available for self-study or learners can attend face-to-face workshops. For further information visit nqf@edegree.co.za