RCC is the only way to go!

In my last training tips 56 video I covered the controversial topic of RPL (recognition of prior learning). My last comment was that the term should be replaced with the new term RCC (recognition of current competency). That’s what the second part is about (you can access it from here). This might look like a minimal change, just two different words, but  those two words change the whole context of the term, the process and I believe the mutual understanding of what is being  attempted by the assessor and the RCC applicant. The key change here is current, as in right now competent. This means that the applicant must provide evidence that they are competent now, not a year ago or three years ago. This, to me, makes sense as we all progressively forget knowledge and skill from the minute it was learnt unless it is constantly used. In some cases because we haven’t carried out a particular skill for a few months we may have forgotten about 80% of it. Do you want to know if a person could do CPR a year ago or if they can do it now!

Apart from the change in terminology I would like to see that every RCC applicant must attend a refresher program (could be just a day) where all applicants could refresh their knowledge and skills, learn what has changed and learn extra tips etc from each other and the RCC trainer. This should be compulsory. Even with my experience in training and assessment I know that I could gain new information and insights from attending a refresher session.

The second thing I would like to see is a common RCC electronic template that can be used on a website such as Google sites where applicants can submit their evidence in a logical, easy to read format that makes the applicant’s and assessor’s role simpler and more efficient and environmentally friendly. It is a scary sight to see a person enter your office with a suitcase full of folders, full of paper and knowing that you are meant to read through all of this stuff and make some sense of it.

Any thoughts on this? Do you have any other ideas about RPL or RCC. Let me know and thanks for reading this blog.