Existing workers may become apprentices or trainees. An existing worker is defined as an employee who has been with a business for more than three months full-time, or 12 months part-time or casual. If an employee doesn't fit this definition, then they are considered to be a 'new entrant'.
By becoming and apprentice or trainee, existing employees have the opportunity to upgrade their skills, with the added benefits of being eligible for Australian government funding. Furthermore, existing employees, as well as all new entrants, may already have skills or knowledge that will enable them to gain a qualification without taking part in a whole training program, therefore reducing study loads and costs. Such skills and knowledge may have been gained through study, self-tuition, work or life experience. Training providers generally apply skills recognition in two ways:
- credit transfer
- recognition of prior learning
Credit transfer allows students to count relevant, successfully completed study - through study at TAFE, accredited private providers, professional organisations or enterprises and universities - towards their current course or qualifications.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is the acknowledgment of skills and knowledge obtained through: formal training or study including courses at school, college, adult education and training programs at work; work experience including paid and volunteer work; and life experience including skills attained through leisure pursuits such as musical, mechanical or linguistic abilities.
RPL recognises this prior knowledge and experience and assesses it against the course in which students are enrolled. The student may not need to complete all of a training program if he or she already possesses some of the skills and/or knowledge taught in the program.
TAFE Tasmania offers recognition services where staff guide students through the process of gathering evidence for skills recognition, which can be from a range of sources including: accredited courses, in-house training, work records, computer records, life experience and work experience.
Students who want their knowledge and skills recognised will need to provide the training provider with evidence of their prior learning. Training providers are obliged to take previous experience and study into account whether it was achieved in Australia or overseas. For employees that have trained overseas, the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition will provide advice and assessment for non-trade qualifications and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations provides trades assessment services.
Career Opportunities in Vocational Education and Training (VET)
