Are you considering the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process to map your skills and experience in an industry to a formal qualification? Do you wonder whether it’s worth the bother? Do you wonder if employers will view your qualification differently if your qual is achieved via RPL? Have no fear- and read on!
Churchill Skills Advisors have helped many people through the RPL process and it’s always satisfying for us to see them gain a role they’ve wanted afterwards. Our experience is that employers look very favourably on a nationally recognised qualification, and even more so if it’s combined with many years of on the job experience. Churchill’s qualifications are respected and valued, whether you have gained them from study or via the RPL process.
Here’s some ways the qualifications you gain through RPL can help you to build your career:
Gets you through the first cut
Across the board, employers tell us that for many roles a Diploma is now the minimum standard of certification required. (We see this evolution in the childcare industry, where a certain amount of staff in each centre are required to have a Diploma). For roles where this is the case, applicants will not get through the first cut if they don’t have a formal qualification. With software being used more and more by HR companies to scan resumes, your application will not even be put forward if you don’t have that magic ‘Diploma’ word.
Gives employers confidence
Applying for a job with a formal qualification rather than just your practical experience gives employers confidence in your skill level. Qualifications have strict guidelines around the competencies students need to achieve, so employers know that if a potential employee has a certain qualification, they also have a certain level of knowledge and competency. Having formal qualifications under your belt also makes employer decisions about promotions or changing roles much easier, as they can easily know what skills and knowledge you have that may apply in those roles.
Gives you confidence
For people who have worked in an industry for many years, it’s hard to know what level your skills and experience are at in a relative sense. You may find yourself doubting that your knowledge and abilities are adequate. Gaining a formal qualification can give you that confidence, especially if your qual was gained through the RPL process. If the experts at Churchill assess your skills and experience as mapping to a nationally recognised Diploma qual, you can be secure in your level of expertise, too.
Nationally recognised certification
Because Churchill’s qualifications are compliant with Australian government-mandated industry standards, they are recognised nationally. This means that, if you move and need to apply for a role interstate, you can be sure that employers will still recognise your qualification.Likewise, if you are applying with an organisation headquartered interstate and your application needs to be viewed by an interstate HR Department, you can rest easy knowing that your qual will stand up to scrutiny.
Confirms your transferrable skills
If you are wanting to change industries, it is highly recommended to map your current skills and experience to a formal qualification first, as this demonstrates that your core skills are transferrable.
So if you want to present yourself in the best light to your current employers, and especially to new employers, having a Diploma qualification is a wise choice. Contact the experts at Churchill Education to find out how to get this process underway for you.
