The business case for formally recognising prior learning as a critical first step in staff training and development programmes is as strong as imperatives to promote employment equity in the workplace.
This is according to Tim Smeeton, Chief Executive of the Production Management Institute (PMI), the dedicated training company in the Adcorp Holdings stable, that has purchased Prior Learning Centre, a multi-purpose assessment facility that focuses on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
“Our acquisition of Prior Learning Centre will enhance PMI’s suite of training offerings by bringing the official RPL process ‘in-house’,” says Smeeton.
Dr Karen Deller, Academic Director of Prior Learning Centre, says: “RPL is a process that allows for the formal recognition of a worker’s existing learning. It gives equal value to workplace and academic knowledge and skill, recognising the workplace as a valid site of learning.”
Smeeton notes that RPL reduces money spent on repeat learning and enables training budgets to be spent on what they are intended for – developing new skills.
“With RPL, workplace training needs can be quickly identified and, because they have been accurately quantified, they can be appropriately addressed,” he adds.
While the original national objectives of RPL focused on access, redress and promoting employment equity, Smeeton says today the business case for RPL is becoming widely accepted amongst employers.
“PMI has long been a proponent of the importance of accurate assessment at the outset of career path and skills development planning. When organisations invest in a proper RPL process amongst the workforce upfront, implementation of staff training and development programmes is made easier, and success rates are far higher.”
Says Deller: “RPL is achieved by assessing what a person knows and can do, and matching this to the outcomes of a registered qualification. How the knowledge and skills were acquired is immaterial.”
“An accurate RPL process is critical for a skills development programme to be successful. It significantly reduces cost, boredom in the classroom and time out of the workplace.”
“The strategic fit between Prior Learning Centre and PMI is ideal in that our respective core businesses intercept around training. RPL is the unique value-add that the Prior Learning Centre operation brings into PMI,” says Smeeton.
“Prior Learning Centre has vast experience in managing RPL and learnership projects of substantial magnitude. Its 35-strong full-time staff complement is held in high regard by public and academic organisations as well as by business.
”RPL acknowledges that people never stop learning, whether it takes place formally at an educational institution, or whether it happens informally.”
Issued by:
Alexandra van Essche
Meropa Communications
Tel (011) 506 7300
Cel (082) 321 1167
On behalf of :
Production Management Institute (PMI)
Managing Director
Tim Smeeton