When pursuing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), there is significant value in considering multiple (stackable) qualifications, rather than a single qualification:
- Capture the depth and breadth of your unique experience
- Enhance career opportunities
- Increase professional credibility
- Maximise recognition of your existing expertise
7 Reasons Why Stackable Qualifications Are A Powerful Career Move
1. Broader Career Opportunities
Many roles today require a diverse skill set. By obtaining multiple qualifications, individuals can demonstrate their versatility and eligibility for a wider range of career pathways. For example, a manager with experience in leadership and work health and safety could gain this custom stack:
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
- BSB41419 Diploma Work Health and Safety
- BSB50120 Diploma of Business (Operations)
This combination of qualifications makes them a stronger candidate for senior positions.
Note: For this article we have focused on diploma level for all qualifications, however stackable qualifications also match experience at all levels from Certificate IV all the way up to Graduate Diploma level. Find out more.
2. Maximising Existing Experience
One of the key benefits of RPL is that it recognises experience and formalises it into qualifications. Since many industries have overlapping competencies, individuals can often obtain multiple qualifications with minimal additional evidence.
Examples of Complementary Qualifications:
- Leadership & Business Development:
- Work Health & Safety & Compliance:
- Project & Operations Management:
- Government & Investigations:
- Security & Risk Management:
- Human Resources Management
- Business Strategy & Digital Transformation:
- Construction & Safety:
By strategically selecting qualifications that complement each other, you can demonstrate the depth and breadth of your transferable skills and be considered for a wider range of roles.
3. Protecting Your Work Evidence Before Leaving a Job
A common challenge for professionals is that when they leave a job, they often lose access to critical documents, projects, and work samples that could be used as evidence for RPL.
Many workplaces restrict access to internal systems once employment ends, meaning you may struggle to obtain proof of your experience. By undertaking RPL while still employed, you can secure multiple qualifications before losing access to valuable work evidence.
Additionally, RPL is time sensitive. In Australia, for skills to be considered “current”, they typically need to have been used within the last five years. This means that if you wait too long after leaving a job, your experience may no longer be recognised for RPL.
4. Increased Professional Credibility
Holding multiple qualifications enhances professional standing, as it demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and expertise in multiple areas. This can be particularly beneficial for consultants, contractors, or business owners who need to showcase a broad skill set to attract clients or secure contracts.
5. Competitive Advantage in the Job Market
In a competitive job market, candidates with multiple qualifications stand out. Employers value professionals who bring a combination of technical and leadership skills, making them more adaptable and valuable to an organisation.
6. Pathway to Further Study or Specialisation
For those looking to pursue further study, multiple qualifications can create opportunities for specialisation or articulation into higher-level courses. For example, obtaining BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management can serve as a stepping stone to BSB80320 Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership.
7. Cost and Time Efficiency
Since RPL assesses existing skills, obtaining multiple qualifications through this pathway is often more cost-effective and time-efficient than traditional study.
Many units of competency are shared across qualifications, meaning you may only need to provide additional evidence to achieve an additional qualification.
In Summary
For professionals considering RPL, exploring multiple stackable qualifications can significantly enhance career prospects and professional credibility. It allows you to:
- fully capitalise on your experience,
- expand your skill set, and
- increase your marketability—all while saving time and money.
Most importantly, securing RPL while still employed ensures that you can access and utilise your work evidence before losing it. Given that experience older than five years is generally not considered “current” for RPL, acting early is crucial to avoid missing out on qualifications.
If you’re considering RPL, it’s worth speaking with a Career & Education Advisor to identify the full range of qualifications you may be eligible for, ensuring you get the most value from your experience.
Churchill Education offers a free RPL appraisal which allows you to dip your toe in the water before deciding how to invest your household budget in your professional development and career security. APPLY HERE or via any of the methods below.
