1. ARTISAN RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING(ARPL)
PADC Multi Steering Committee Meeting
07 May 2015

2. ARPL MANDATE
The artisan aides’ recognition of prior learning (ARPL) arises from a socio-economic rationale influenced by the need to redress one of the artisan environment’s past imbalances where artisan assistants or aides were not afforded any form of formal recognition in spite of the trade experience they have accumulated over the years in their workplace environment.
To provide an alternative access route into a programme of learning for those who do not meet the formal entry requirements for admission

3. Rationale
transform the artisan environment
redress of the past imbalances and practices
establishment of foundational principles for RPL to seamlessly align with the Trade Test Regulations
To establish a single nationally controlled standardised Artisan RPL model and processes across different sectors of the economy

4. Objectives
To recognise through formal assessment processes and certification the
experience possessed by artisan aides.
To encourage life- long learning within a formal artisan environment
through the acquisition of formal qualifications
To meaningfully contribute to the skills development agenda
To give effect to the SAQAs broader principles of RPL
Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries are practising artisan aides who carry a practice experience of five or more years in the respective trades within a formal or informal industrial environment.

5. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS
SAQA
National Policy for the Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (2013)
Replaces the policy document Recognition of Prior Learning in the context of the South African NQF developed in 2002 by SAQA
Located in the broader context of the HRD Strategy and consideration of the National Development Plan 2030
The implementation of this RPL policy will be achieved by among other:
Ensuring quality assurance and benchmarking of RPL overseen by SAQA and the three Quality Councils: CHE ; Umalusi ; QCTO
Recognising different kinds of RPL and purposes of RPL in relation to different contexts
This revised policy provides for the role of SAQA in co-ordinating the development of RPL policies and practices across all sub-frameworks of the NQF, in co-operation with the three Quality Councils, education institutions and skills development providers, workplaces and other assessment sites and RPL practitioners

6. RPL Policies developed
SAQA – Recognition of Prior Learning in the context of the South African NQF (2002)
SAQA – National Policy for the Implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (2013)
QCTO Policy for the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 2014
DHET - Draft Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy 20 January 2015

7. S D A Section 26 D (2)
“A person may apply to undergo a trade test in respect of a trade if-
(c) an accredited trade test centre has certified that the person has acquired sufficient prior learning related to that trade; and
(d) that person has completed any other learning programme resulting in an occupational or vocational qualification inclusive of prescribed work experience that entitles such person to undergo the relevant trade test”

8. Non- Contracted candidates AND LEARNERSHIPS
MTA Section 28 Historical Practice
Non- Contracted candidates AND LEARNERSHIPS
Registration at Labour Centres and INDLELA
ARPL Roll-out 2015/16
ESTABLISHED ARPL PADSC UNITS
REGISTRATION at:
- Accredited TRADE TEST CENTRES/ TVET COLLEGES (on an
incremental basis)
Transitional Arrangements applicable
Screening Tests
Registration for trade test
ARPL Toolkit
Trade Test
QCTO Certificate

9. A or B C or D C D A Application Orientation Evaluatory PoE Advocacy
Non -compliant
Advocacy
Technical
Panel Evaluation
Technical
Panel Evaluation
A or B
Registration
C or D
Knowledge
Assessment
Self evaluation/
Interview
Practical
Assessment C
Feedback
& referrals
NYC B
Technical PoE
Trade Test
Workplace
Observation D
Competent
QCTO
Cert A
Gap Closure
NAMB
ARPL
Toolkit
TVET College
WP Training Centre

10. ARPL Route Description
A : Non – National Trade Tests
Those candidates who have undertaken a trades within the SADF, SAAF, Telkom, etc, will be recommended for direct Certification
B : Non- South African Trade Tests
Those candidates from outside South Africa who have successfully done trade tests in their respective countries. These candidates will be recommended for direct trade testing
C : Phase Assessments
The candidates who display very little gaps after self – evaluation/Interview, will be referred directly for Phase 1 and 2 Assessments and workplace observation
D : Gap Closure and Phase Assessments
Candidates displaying gaps within their trade Knowledge and Practical skills and integration thereof, will be required to complete the entire ARPL process.

11. ARPL Implementation Support
The implementation support would be focussed more on the TVET Colleges, Organised Labour, SETAs and other State owned companies/enterprises. Capacity building workshops for advisors would be held for colleges within a province. These advisors would cascade their skills further to other colleagues within their colleges. Where the ARPL unit is invited to do capacity building workshop for Organised Labour and SOC, such must be scheduled and structured within the schedule of College capacity building programmes.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Monitoring the roll-out of Artisan RPL will take place on an ongoing basis, together with NAMB. Where support is needed, proper coordination is required.