IMPLEMENTING RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING IN A BLUE COLLAR TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ENVIRONMENT

With the advent of the South African Qualifications Authority as well as the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework, various new assessment methodologies and options have become available.

Recognition of Prior Learning has emerged as a contentious assessment method as it is viewed as being a short cut to recognition of learning and its efficacy or ability to help meet skills targets has yet to be interrogated.

The Production Management Institute of Southern Africa has piloted a Recognition of Prior Learning model in the blue collar environment, and more specifically in the flexible staffing solution or labour broking arenas.

Having implemented the Recognition of Prior Learning process the opportunity presents itself to critically analyse the execution of the process and share the lessons learnt as well as success through formal research. More specifically, to provide critical research on the challenges of implementing Recognition of Prior Learning and thus provide an insight into the practical dilemma’s and trials of learning in the blue collar flexible staffing environment. Challenges are identified but not limited to:
a) The flexible staffing environment
b) Literacy and Numeracy of learners
c) Socio-economic status of learners
d) Collecting evidence from host sites- workplace buy-in
e) Learner motivation

This research hopes to clarify the debates that industry and academia are having on the Recognition of Prior Learning. Furthermore, it will provide a practical analysis of a blue collar learning intervention in which skills and knowledge are conventionally passed on from work place learning. The research will provide all role players in the Education and Training field, industry, as well as government an important understanding of whether Recognition of Prior Learning is a feasible tool for skills development in South Africa.