Following ColegauCymru’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) project this year, Welsh Government will be sharing our recommendations with Medr in the coming weeks. ColegauCymru has contributed to a detailed Briefing Paper, including recommendations for a set of high-level principles for RPL, which is being sent from the Welsh Government Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) Advisory Group to Medr. Here, Chair of the ColegauCymru Curriculum and Quality Strategic Group, Yana Williams, reflects on RPL and its role for colleges in Wales.
RPL is a transformative approach that acknowledges the value of learning outside formal educational settings. In Wales, RPL is gaining traction to validate non-formal and informal learning, thereby promoting lifelong learning and providing alternative pathways to qualifications and employment.
RPL is a process that allows individuals to gain recognition and credit for skills and knowledge they already possess. This can be particularly beneficial for those who have acquired significant learning through work experience, volunteering, or independent study. The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) supports RPL by providing a common language for us to describe and define learning outcomes.
Challenges facing RPL in Wales
Despite its benefits, RPL is underused in Wales. The challenges include:
- a lack of awareness of its benefits;
- the complexity of the process; and
- the need for robust quality assurance mechanisms.
Study Visit to Scotland
This year, a delegation from Wales visited to Scotland to investigate the implementation and practice of RPL processes adopted by Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The study visit, led by ColegauCymru, included a range of participants involved with RPL in Wales including Cardiff and Vale College, Universities Wales, Health Education and Improvement Wales, Adult Learning Wales, Learning and Work Institute Wales, and Careers Wales.
The visit was hosted by SCQF at their Glasgow headquarters, and its aim was to gain insight into RPL in Scotland and the role of SCQF; understand the tools and activities developed by SCQF for key groups such as Service leavers, forced migrants, apprentices, and institutions.
Since 2020, ColegauCymru has been working with Welsh Government to explore how RPL could assist in the integration of migrants seeking to engage in work or education. This aligns with the Welsh Government’s policy objectives, for example, set out in the Nation of Sanctuary - Refugee and Asylum Seeker Plan and the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan, which specifically reference RPL as a tool to recognise previous skills and qualifications. Engaging with SCQF, ColegauCymru learned about the Skills Recognition Scotland certificate, which benchmarks skills and experience against the SCQF, initially developed for forced migrants but also considered useful for other groups.
Scotland’s investment in and commitment to RPL is impressive, and it was clear that RPL is recognised as a useful tool not just by the education sector, but also by a range of stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Defence, NHS Scotland, and wider employers. Delegates agreed on the need for more awareness raising in Wales, as simply producing tools and resources does not necessarily mean they will be used.
The visit to Scotland highlighted the potential for RPL to be a transformative tool in Wales, supporting lifelong learning and the recognition of skills and experience. Delegates returned to Wales with a renewed commitment to advancing the RPL agenda in Wales, inspired by the practices observed in Scotland.
Next Steps
A set of high-level principles for RPL in Wales have been developed and are being submitted by the Welsh Government to Medr, for their consideration to support them in how to incorporate the recognition of prior learning to facilitate the movement of learners throughout the tertiary sector.
Wales is proudly a second chance nation: where it is never too late to learn. With an effective RPL system in place in Wales, together we can ensure a pathway to lifelong learning for all, which in turn will help support the Welsh Government goal of a stronger, fairer and greener Wales, for all.
Further Information
Visit the ColegauCymru Recognition of Prior Learning and Recognition of Prior Learning with forced migrants and others pages for more information.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Recognition of Prior Learning Hub
Welsh Government Policy and Strategy
Medr Strategic Priorities
28 February 2024
Phil Whitney and Adrian Sheehan are the primary ColegauCymru contacts for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Further Education colleges in Wales.
Phil.Whitney@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
Adrian.Sheehan@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
