Recognition of prior learning and completion ahead of time
An apprentice or trainee can complete his or her training earlier than the official end date if he or she
- has prior training and knowledge and has it assessed towards the qualification or
- achieves competency quickly.
On this page:
What is recognition of prior learning (RPL)?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or skills recognition means that skills and knowledge your apprentice or trainee already has may count towards their qualification.
- RPL may reduce the amount of time required to be spent in training in order to gain the apprenticeship/traineeship qualification.
- Registered training organisations (RTOs) undertake RPL. Your RTO will gather evidence to determine whether your apprentice or trainee has relevant knowledge and skills that can be recognised.
RPL can shorten the training time
When applying for credit, the length of time requested for the training contract must be sufficient to allow completion of the remaining units of formal training.
You should consider the likely effects on your apprentice's or trainee's wages, because if 12 months credit is granted, they will commence on second year/stage 2 wages.
Complete a Request to Adjust Credit form and forward it State Training Services. Your Australian Apprenticeship Centre can help if needed.
Competency based completion (previously 'early completion')
In NSW apprentices and trainees are awarded a successful completion when they are judged competent in the apprenticeship or traineeship. This could happen ahead of the standard (nominal) training period.
If you think your apprentice or trainee is competent before the end date stated in the contract, and
- the apprentice or trainee has been issued with the qualification certificate or transcript from the RTO, and
- you are willing to state that they are competent to industry standards,
then one of you need to complete a Request for Competency Based Completion form and lodge it with a copy of RTO certificate/transcript at the local State Training Services office.
If approved, the apprenticeship or traineeship will finish on the agreed date.
Your apprentice or trainee will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency (also called a trade certificate) by State Training Services.
The basic assessment standards
Formal training in vocational training is competency based which means your apprentice or trainee is assessed on:
- skills demonstrated
- tasks performed
- the underpinning knowledge used to perform their work effectively.
