What is recognition?

1. What is recognition? Recognition involves the assessment of the skills, knowledge and experiences gained from: • formal and informal training, • employment, • work experience, • school, • life experience to establish competence against national competency standards.

2. How can my existing skills and knowledge help my future learning? When you enrol in a TAFE NSW qualification, the skills and experience you have gained from • formal and informal training, • other qualifications • employment, • work experience, • school, • life experience Can be assessed for credit against a TAFE qualification.

3. What counts towards recognition? Recognition may be granted for: • Previous TAFE studies • Qualifications or previous studies from other training providers • Overseas qualifications • Work experience • Life experience

4. Benefits/considerations in gaining Recognition Benefits of Recognition may: • Reduce study load • Shorten the time taken to achieve your TAFE qualification • Mean not having to repeat knowledge or skills you already have learned You need to consider: • grading of awards • Centrelink benefits • Updating knowledge and/or skills

5. What should you consider in applying for Recognition? You will need to provide evidence, that can be assessed, to determine whether you are competent in a unit or module that is part of the qualification you are undertaking

6. What is Evidence? Evidence is information that supports your claim for recognition. It needs to be relevant to your current studies.

7. Some Examples of Evidence • Certificates • Reports • References from your work experience, paid and unpaid • Samples of your work • Qualifications • Demonstration of practical skills • Portfolio

8. What are the criteria for quality evidence? • VALID - This means that evidence you submit must be relevant to the competency and demonstrate that the requirements of the unit/module have been met. • RELIABLE- This means that evidence you submit must verify your consistent achievement over time of the requirements of a unit/module

9. What are the criteria for quality evidence? • AUTHENTIC - This means that the evidence provided must be proof of your skills and knowledge. You will be asked to provide: - certified copies or - the original and a copy of your documents

10. What are the criteria for quality evidence? • SUFFICIENT - Sufficient evidence must be provided to show that you have met the requirements of the unit/module over a period of time. • CURRENT - Currency will depend on the age of evidence you are providing and its relationship to the units/modules for which you are seeking recognition.

11. How might I present my evidence?

12. What other approaches might be taken to assess your existing competence? • Questions may be asked of an applicant by an assessor to seek information about an applicant’s experience • An assessor may visit a learner’s workplace to assess the competence of applicant where there may be gaps in the evidence provided which can be best closed by a workplace visit

13. What other approaches might be taken to assess your existing competence? • A learner may be set a task to complete, which demonstrates competence in a unit. The task is not usually a theoretical task but will relate to a workplace activity. • A third party report might be obtained from an employer which provide evidence of competence

14. Where to from here? You should ask for: • Information on your chosen course of study • Information on the unit/module outcomes and • recognition information relating to your course from your Head Teacher

15. Where to from here? • Advice on who can help you with your application for recognition General recognition information - College Course Information Officer - Counsellors Course Specific Information - Head Teacher or Teacher of your course You should ring and make an appointment.

16. Submitting your Application • Relevant Recognition Form • Evidence These documents and evidence need to be given to your Head Teacher