RPL emerges from a global inclination in this century to increase a students’ access to education, by articulating various types and levels of education with each other, so that there can be lifelong learning and no-one is barred from higher education.
RPL enables access to the knowledge and skills needed to work in the fast-growing sport and fitness sector where competent employees are critical for the growth of the profession and its industry (Skills Development Act, 1998, Skills Development Amendment Act, 2008).
In South Africa, it was a core principle of the White Paper on Higher Education in the late nineties, and again in the January 2012 Green Paper for post-school education and training issued by The Department of Higher Education and Training.
For South Africans, RPL implies the entryways of learning might be opened. All higher education institutions in South African must have a policy and procedure to assess prospective students’ RPL to see if they can enter the courses with a reasonable chance of success.
The RPL processes at eta can be explained in 3 categories:
If you do not hold a formal qualification but you have valuable work experience, it is possible for your knowledge and skills to be recognised. Such learning may translate into an exemption and give you access to higher learning.
In certain cases, your knowledge and skills can be assessed for the achievement of a whole qualification, especially those registered on the Occupational Qualification Sub-Framework (OQSF). RPL can also apply to training courses that you may have done at work.
To see if you are eligible, please complete our RPL checklist and submit for evaluation. We will then can get back to you on your next step.
If you have prior formal learning in the form of credit-bearing modules or a previously completed programme, it is possible for this learning to be recognised and for you to be exempt from learning you already have. You can use this to gain access to a higher level or to complete a qualification.
You need to provide us with proof of your prior learning, in the form of an official transcript of results so we can see what you already know and at what NQF level. If your credits can be transferred then you can be exempted from repeating the same credits and you can complete your studies.
Exemption of credits for a programme cannot exceed 50% of its total credits. For example, to complete a diploma or degree of three years, you would need to complete at least 18 months of studies.
To find out more, please chat to us on line or contact us on any of our numbers.
You are invited to complete the RPL for Access process which is specifically designed for those students who have not been able to meet the minimum requirements for access. This means that for whatever reason, your latest formal qualification was not at the level required for access here. This assessment process, even though it may require some time and input on your part, will enable you with another opportunity to gain access into the qualification that you desire at eta.
We make use of an online application process in partnership with an external assessment and moderation provider in order to make this process happen. This online platform will provide you with step by step instructions on how to complete the process before booking your final assessments and interview at eta.
Please ensure that the course that you are applying for suits your career interests and needs. It is further of vital importance that you fully understand what the course content entails and that once completing the course it will enable you to access the career opportunities that you seek. If you are still unsure about your course choices and the associated careers that you may gain access to once successfully completing your qualifications, we strongly advise you at this stage to speak to your student advisor before continuing with this process. This could be in the forms of a consultation around your career needs and expectations with an eta student advisor.
