February
How RPL Can Assist Ex-Military Personnel
After serving in the Army, Navy, Airforce or emergency services, transitioning to a civilian career can be an intimidating process. Thankfully, there are ways to make the transition easier. One such way is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Covering Army RPL, Navy RPL, Air Force RPL and Emergency Services RPL.
When it comes to matching military experience to civilian qualifications, it is vital to recall that qualifications have levels, the same way that ranks do in the military. Each new level/rank is demonstrating progression through a set framework, competence in completing tasks proficiently, with each new level/rank developing existing skills and abilities as well as teaching you new ones. Your responsibility also increases with each new level/rank.
By drawing this comparison between civilian qualifications and military rank, it makes it easier to see what skills transfer from the military to a formal qualification.
So, what does transfer?
Well, as a partner to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) we need to be able to show evidence to the national regulatory authority for Australian qualifications that you have the required knowledge and skills for each qualification attained. Each qualification has a specific list or requirements, called Units of Competency (UOC).
We can break these requirements down into two primary categories; knowledge and skills.
Over time through your military career, you will have developed and increased your knowledge case, the same as you develop and specialise in specific skills.
The RPL process matches your knowledge and skill base, to a qualification level.
Using civilian terms, qualifications start at Certificate II. This is the equivalent of someone with basic skills and knowledge.
The next is a Certificate II; where you’ve progressed beyond basic training and you become a valued member of the team/workplace.
Certificate III is where your skills and knowledge have developed to be able to start having a more active role in achieving the organisations goals and objectives, but you still report to a manager or supervisor.
At the Certificate IV level, you can begin to take more responsibilities within the organisation, as you have further developed your knowledge and skills in a wider variety of areas.
We typically see more military personnel with specialised knowledge at the Certificate IV level for Work Health and Safety and in the Security and Risk Management industry areas. But everyone is different, as every military career is different. During your RPL application, we not only look at your military career but any other activities such as volunteer work, that may put you at a high level than Certificate III or IV.
It is important to gain a qualification that matches you! So, get in touch with us today to kick-start your new career!
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