F021a – Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) Evidence Guide
OPEC College appreciates the value of workplace and industry experience, and recognises that students will
acquire vocational skills and knowledge from a variety of sources other than formal training. These skills are
legitimate irrespective of how they were acquired and the RPL process is designed to provide validation of
such relevant skills.
RPL is an assessment process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal and informal learning to
determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning outcomes, competency
outcomes, or standards for entry to, and/or partial or total completion of a Vocational Education and Training
(VET) qualification.
Documentary Evidence
Being prepared can save you time and hassle. Here are some tips and hints to prepare for the recognition
process.
There is no need to resubmit any evidence you have already sent us. That evidence will already be on your
file.
It is a good idea to start a folder on your desktop (either hard or soft) and use that folder to collect your
evidence.
The Process
1. You gather and submit your first evidence offerings.
a. They could be items from this RPL Guide.
b. Gather as many of the suggested items as you can. No need to gather everything, just give
us what you are able to access.
c. You can also add other items that you feel are relevant.
d. No need to order them or apply them to specific competencies; we will do that for you.
e. Submit those offerings using one of the suggested methods below.
2. Our Assessors will map your evidence against the units of competence, performance criteria and
required knowledge and skills.
a. That process will tell us if any gaps exist
b. The Assessor will write an “Additional evidence required” document.
c. It is possible your first evidence offerings will be enough and we will need no more.
3. We will come back to you with a detailed plan as to any additional evidence we will need.
a. We will discuss together how that evidence can be gathered
b. We have a range of evidence gathering techniques, above and beyond documentation, that
will allow us to fill any gaps.
c. An example of this is a “Competency Conversation” where we question you, record that
conversation, and use it as evidence.
4. That second evidence offering is added to the mix and the Assessor completes the mapping
process.
5. Your qualification is issued!
Document Name: F021a - RPL Assessment Guide Last Modified: 9 June 2021
OPEC College Version V1.0
F021a – Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) Evidence Guide
Possible Evidence Types
The following is a list of possible evidence types you may have available to submit. They are not
compulsory. Please submit any evidence you can readily access and we will work with you to identify and
fill any gaps.
✓ A Resume/CV or jot down a few points about where you have worked, either paid or unpaid and
what you did there.
✓ Position Description(s) from relevant organisations where you have worked.
✓ Performance Appraisals from relevant organisations where you have worked.
o Performance Management documentation completed on you
o Performance Management documentation you have completed on others
✓ Diplomas and Certificates from Nationally Recognised Training you have done in the past.
✓ Other Certificates from in-house training, formal or informal training you have done in the past.
✓ PMKeys Record (Long) for Defence people
✓ Examples of the Work Activities identified in your position description
✓ Examples of Reports written
✓ Examples of a Planning Process you undertook.
✓ Proposals written
✓ Policies written, proofread or approved
✓ Budgets written or approved
✓ Examples of Work Orders, Client Orders/Requests, Work Contracts
✓ Licenses or tickets held, e.g. forklift, crane
✓ Photographs of work undertaken
✓ Diaries/task sheets/job sheets/logbooks
✓ Site training records
✓ Site competencies held on record
✓ Membership of relevant professional associations
✓ Emails that demonstrate your work skills and experience
Document Name: F021a - RPL Assessment Guide Last Modified: 9 June 2021
OPEC College Version V1.0
F021a – Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) Evidence Guide
✓ References/letters from previous employers/supervisors
✓ Industry awards
✓ Feedback from employers or clients
✓ Records of any Professional Reading you have done
✓ Any other documentation that may demonstrate your industry experience that will support your
claim
✓ Consider the possibilities for workplace contact. Are you in a workplace that is supporting your
goals to get qualified? Would you feel comfortable to have the assessor contact your workplace so
your skills can be verified?
Your skills and experience from the past five (5) years are the most important, with a particular emphasis on
the past two (2) years. This timeframe contributes to demonstrating that you are current in the industry.
Step by Step Instructions for Submitting Evidence
1. Read this RPL Evidence Guide
o Collect your RPL evidence. There’s no need to print anything. We suggest locating
everything in one folder on your computer.
o Use one of the methods below to submit your collected evidence.
By Email
2. Compile your evidence folder into a Zip file. Instructions for creating a zip file are here:
o Windows - [Link]
uncompress-zip-files
o Apple - [Link]
3. Email the Zipped file to: Training@[Link]
By Hard Copy
4. Mail your hard copy evidence (or a USB stick) to:
Training and Assessing
OPEC College
1319 Lytton Road
Hemmant, QLD 4520
Document Name: F021a - RPL Assessment Guide Last Modified: 9 June 2021
OPEC College Version V1.0
F021a – Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) Evidence Guide
By Shared MS Folder
5. Request a shared folder from admin@[Link]
6. You will receive an email direct from Office 365
7. The email will come from - no-reply@[Link]
8. Click on the link to open your shared folder.
9. If you don’t have a MS account, open one using the available link.
10. Drag and drop or upload your evidence into this folder.
11. Let us know when you have completed dragging and dropping so we can begin the assessment
process.
Communication
Your assessor will be in contact with you to keep you informed of the progress of your application for RPL on
a constant basis.
You should call or email our assessor at any time if you have questions.
Finalisation of the Process
Once the assessor has successfully mapped your evidence to your required qualification, we will issue you
with a completion invoice and then send you the qualification once that invoice is paid.
Qualifications will be made available to you in both soft and hard copy format.
Typically, your qualification will be issued within 10 working days of our receiving all required evidence.
We look forward to working with you to achieve a much-deserved qualification.
Experience matters!
Document Name: F021a - RPL Assessment Guide Last Modified: 9 June 2021
OPEC College Version V1.0