Experts brainstorm on Recognition of Prior Learning

Government says it is committed to ensuring that there is a system for recognising knowledge acquired outside the formal training environment, director of technical and vocational training in the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Godfrey Kafere has said.

Speaking in Salima on Friday when he officially opened the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guidelines Validation Workshop, Kafere said most skilled citizens are lowly regarded at the workplace because they have no formal qualifications, a situation which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to remuneration and career advancement.

He said it was for this reason that Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development partnered International Labour Organisation (ILO) to put in place RPL, a process for recognising and certifying knowledge and skills acquired outside the formal training environment.

“The RPL will benefit both the employer and individuals. To an individual it is a second chance of getting a qualification either directly or indirectly if the applicant is allowed to resume formal study without the academic prerequisite, which is a passport for a decent job,” Kafere said. 

In her remarks, ILO chief technical adviser Naomy Lintini said she was happy that the stakeholders had finally reached a consensus to validate the RPL guidelines.

 “ILO has set aside funds for piloting RPL programme in the construction sector. It is now up to government to put in place policies and procedures for rolling out of this programme,” she said. n