Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is committed to member
education and enabling lifeguards to achieve recognised
qualifications within New Zealand. The following outlines the
process to gain recognition of prior learning (RPL) for
international qualifications.
What is RPL?
Recognition of prior learning describes a process used by
organizations, training institutions, colleges and universities to
evaluate skills and knowledge gained outside the classroom.
These skills and knowledge are then recognised against a set
of standards or learning objectives. For example, you may be
involved in coaching, have extensive coaching skills and experience
for which you have no formal recognition. To be granted RPL, you need to collect
and present evidence that clearly demonstrates you have met or
exceeded the requirements of all the learning outcomes on the SLSNZ
course or award.
What kind of evidence is
required?
Evidence for assessment may come from:
- Recognised
proven achievements outside formal learning.
- Achievement
gained through a formal learning programme (eg. Degree or Diploma,
polytechnic courses, coaching course from other sports, clinics,
seminars/workshops).
Your evidence may come from a variety of sources, which may
include:
- Existing qualifications or parts of qualifications. NB: Both a
copy of the qualification transcript or certificate and a list of
learning objectives or content of each of the relevant topics
covered in the course, must be supplied.
- Log books or coaching records.
- Documentation of observations of your performance.
- References and testimonials from recognised educators, coaches
or sports administrators.
- Your Curriculum Vitae
- Verified translations of overseas experience or
qualifications.
The evidence should be concise and arranged systematically in a
portfolio so the assessor can easily see the match between your
evidence and the SLSNZ learning outcomes. The onus is on you to
present all necessary evidence. To protect the credibility of SLSNZ
and in fairness to those who complete the full SLSNZ courses and
awards, your application will initially be declined if insufficient
evidence is submitted.
The evidence you provide must:
- Be verifiable as your own work.
- Be related to the SLSNZ courses you are seeking credit
for.
- Demonstrate what you know,
understand and are able to do now, not what you were able to do
three or more years ago.
Who will assess the evidence
and how will it be assessed?
SLSNZ will evaluate your application, undertake any necessary
checks and communicate the result to you. Checks may include:
- Personal interview
- Checking authenticity of information supplied
- Contacting a nominated referee
- Endorsement by your club
- Requesting completion of an appropriate assessment task
- Observation of your performance
- Other open processes which you
may agree on with the assessor
What are the outcomes of the
process?
The assessor must be confident you are able to meet or exceed
all of the requirements of the learning outcomes for the SLSNZ
course/qualification for which you seek RPL. The assessor may
decide:
- Your evidence meets all requirements and SLSNZ will issue the
Award.
- Your evidence meets some, but not all of the requirements.
Further evidence may be required and/or you may be asked to
complete an assessment task in order to demonstrate competency in
the areas where your evidence does not cover, or does not meet, the
requirements.
- Your evidence does not meet the requirements and the assessor
recommends you enrol in all or part of a SLSNZ course or complete a
module(s).
If you are not happy with the decision of your assessor, you may
appeal to the CEO, SLSNZ who will discuss further options with
you.
Whats next?
