Recognition of Prior Learning: An Evaluation of The Insurance Sector Education Training Authority’s Practice

PURPOSE

• The purpose of the research was to understand how Recognition of Prior Learning is seen

within the Insurance Sector by its various stakeholders.

• INSETA works within a regulated environment and brokers within the sector had to achieve

credits in order to remain employed. Many of the brokers have been within the industry for

over 5 years and therefore have relevant workplace experience.

• INSETA wanted an opportunity to conduct a 360 evaluation to understand the perceptions of

RPL within the Sector to understand if RPL was being used within the sector to achieve

credits.

METHODOLOGY

• This is a cross-sectional study which considers how various stakeholders consider Recognition

of Prior Learning in the Insurance Sector.

• The three research groups noted are: The Workplace, Training Providers including ETD

Practitioners (Assessors and Moderators) and the Insurance Sector Education Training

Authority.

• Data was collected through an electronic survey which was distributed to stakeholders as per

established communication records.

PERCEPTIONS OF RPL

• Perceptions considered:

• Understanding of the acronym RPL

• Whether the INSETA offers RPL

• RPL Process

• Whether RPL is a “quick” way to get credits

• Whether RPL has the ability to transform the Insurance Sector• Whether RPL has the ability to transform the Insurance Sector

• Whether RPL is seen as a credible process

CHALLENGES OF RPL

• Challenges considered:

• Whether understanding, cost, time to complete or access was the greatest challenge

• The barriers to RPL

WORKPLACE

• Research in the area of the workplace focused specifically on:

• Understanding RPL and its place with the Workplace’s Skills Development Strategy

• Noting the actual use of RPL by the workplace

• Understanding the perceptions of the efficacy of RPL

• Perceptions of credibility of RPL

TRAINING PROVIDER (INCL ASSESSOR

AND MODERATOR)

• Research in the area of the Training Provider focused specifically on:

• Provision of RPL

• Capacity to offer RPL

• Model used for RPL

INSETA

• Research in the area of the INSETA focused specifically on:

• The custodians of RPL within the SETA

• The quality assurance custodians of RPL

RECOMMENDATIONS

• The sector in general:

1. Information sharing about RPL, the INSETA’s role in RPL, opportunities for learners with

RPL and the process for RPL.

1. Ensuring credibility of RPL process, not a “quick fix” to get credits

1. Share quality assurance process for RPL

2. Continued research into other sectors to see trends associated with RPL and SETA’s

specifically.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Workplace:

1. Information sharing about RPL and skills development plans

2. Consider how to encourage RPL as an option of getting credits

• Training Providers:

1. Ensuring quality assurance practice to ensure credibility of RPL process

2. Develop RPL model guidelines2. Develop RPL model guidelines

3. Capacity building of RPL providers (Assessment centres)

• INSETA:

1. Skills Development initiatives linked to the Sector Skills Plan

2. Information sharing about RPL within the INSETA, including process, access to funding and

quality assurance

• Thank you

• Mrs. Nadia Starr (INSETA ETQA Manager)

• ntraut@inseta.org.za

• 011 544 2000

• Dr. Jason le Grange (INSETA ETQA Consultant)

• jason@assessmentwarehouse.com

• 021 685 4774