Have you ever thought about studying at TAFE or Uni, but just don’t really have the time to fit it in? Not sure how relevant it’s going be anyway, or how much you’ll learn? After all, you already know how to do your job, what works for your industry and what doesn’t.
There are two reasons people study – either to learn something new, or to gain a qualification. If you already have the skills and experience, you don’t need to study. A Diploma of Business or Diploma of Management could already be yours. How?
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) assesses what you already know. Think of it this way. When studying, you will usually be asked to write a project or assignment, based either on a hypothetical situation, or your real job. With RPL, the assessment is whatever you did last week, or last month. You have already done it.
Of course, you couldn’t RPL hairdressing without actually being a hairdresser. But business and management skills are usually learned on the job, which makes RPL easy to assess for these areas. Most people who have worked in an office are eligible for a Certificate IV in Business without studying. Those who manage systems or staff have the required skills and knowledge for a Diploma of Management.
It is the job of the RPL assessor to assess your existing work and make sure that all the performance requirements have been covered for the qualification. Some training organisations make you do this yourself – which is how RPL got a reputation as being long and complicated. You want to use a training organisation that is quick and easy. They’re the experts, and you’re busy.
Not everyone needs a qualification, but some do. Large companies might require qualifications for promotion. Career changers should have a recent qualification to put on their resume. And business owners often want one to prove their credibility in business. Universities have their own process for recognition, but a relevant Diploma often saves about a year of study.
So stop putting it off because you don’t have the time. Find out which qualification you’re already eligible for with a free assessment from Mirror Professional Development. Get recognised, get qualified, get ahead.
