Reduce your study time – Make your work and life experiences count
How do I make my work and life experiences count?Through CIT's Recognition system you can achieve qualifications by only studying in areas where you lack skills and knowledge. You can make your work and life experiences count toward your qualification. What is Recognition?Recognition allows you to have your existing knowledge and skills count toward successful completion of parts of your program. What's in it for me?Benefits to applying for Recognition are:
What counts for Recognition?Previous study, work experience and life experience can be used as part of Recognition. What do I have to do?To have your previous study and experience recognized you must first make an application for Recognition. Based on this application it will be decided if your existing knowledge and skills are recognised for one or more subjects in your current course. By demonstrating you have already achieved the outcomes of the subject(s) you can be granted advanced standing for these subjects and you will not have to do them. Staff at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will help you with your application. CIT Student Services Hub staff can offer you information on how you can provide evidence of your current skills and knowledge and of what you have learned from your previous study and from work and life experiences. If you don't currently work or you plan to study in a different field from your current job, then CIT Student Services Hub staff will help you to identify what you have learned from other formal training, previous work experience or life experience, which might count. CIT staff then work with you to determine where you already have skills and knowledge. They consider the outcomes of the subjects in your current program and are able to advise you on which subjects this might lead to Recognition for. If staff from the CIT Student Services Hub can't help you, they will then refer to you staff in the CIT teaching areas. Ideally, you should start thinking about Recognition before you enrol, so that CIT staff can work with you to build the most appropriate course. What is Recognition of Prior Learning?Recognition of Prior Learning (often called RPL or skills recognition) is one of three forms of Recognition at CIT. This is the form of recognition where you can count relevant work experience, life experience or previous study that is not identified as a formal pathway into CIT. To apply for Recognition of Prior Learning you have to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills and competencies that you want recognition for. You will then need to produce evidence to support your application such as:
The evidence you provide will be assessed by a Recognition Assessor. If more evidence is required, you may be asked to:
What is Credit transfer and National recognition?There are two other forms of Recognition based on formal pathways into CIT - Credit transfer and National recognition. They involve you having successfully achieved subjects or competencies recognised by CIT. You can apply for Credit Transfer if you have completed subjects covered by CIT's credit transfer arrangements. CIT has arrangements with ACT Colleges, NSW High Schools and some private training providers and universities. These arrangements acknowledge the overlaps and provide you with credit. These are published in the Pathways Guide which is available on the CIT website. You will need to provide a certified copy of your qualifications. You can apply for National Recognition if you have already achieved competencies required for your current course through training provided by another Registered Training Organisation (RTO). CIT recognises Australian Quality Framework (AQF) qualifications, such as Statements of Attainment and national units of competency issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). If you have successfully completed national modules or national units of competency with another RTO which are included in your new course at CIT, you will be granted National Recognition. You will need to provide certified copies of your qualification or Statement of Attainment listing the competencies. How do I apply for Recognition?To apply for Recognition you need to be enrolled in a CIT course, but not the subjects for which you want recognition. To apply for Recognition you must: 1. Decide whether you are applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Credit transfer or National recognition.
How much will Recognition cost?Costs can vary depending on which type of Recognition you need. There are no fees for Credit transfer or National recognition, yet there are fees for Recognition of Prior Learning. The fee for Recognition of Prior Learning is the same as the subject registration and is not refundable. It is a good idea to keep your receipt for these fees. Separate fee arrangements apply to international students and to commercial courses. You should seek further information from CIT staff on these courses. When do I find out if I have been successful?If your application has been successful, you will be given advanced standing (AS) for the subject, which you will see on the student administration system (known as 'Banner'). If your application has been unsuccessful, you will be advised in writing. You should know the outcome of your application 3-4 weeks after applying. Can CIT help me to apply for Recognition?CIT's Student Services Hub will assist you with your application for Recognition. In addition, some CIT courses have information sessions and you are encouraged to attend. Ask at the CIT Student Services Hub for further details. Some courses also have a subject on preparing for recognition and you can enrol in that subject (STSK102 - Preparing for Recognition). This subject will assist you in putting together your application to increase your chance of gaining recognition and saving you time. It involves understanding the subjects or units of competence and how to collect and put together evidence. Once this information is collected, CIT staff can advise you which subjects you could use to apply for Recognition. Remember, ask for help if you need it. Where do I go for more information?For more information about Recognition, please visit CIT's Student Services Hub on each CIT campus, or email: infoline@cit.act.edu.au or phone (02) 6207 3188. |
