Non-academic APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) awards refer to awards whereby individuals can gain recognition for knowledge and experience they have achieved throughout their lifetime. APL, sometimes also known as RPL, Recognition of Prior Learning has been around for many years and has helped numerous individuals to progress with their lives and careers. APL/RPL certification is not an academic certification, but is a certificate based on your knowledge and experience.
APL/RPL is a perfect way of getting your knowledge and experience recognized into a non-academic certification. It is common to have a working life full of experience but little or no qualifications. Many have operated at a level of expertise far more than their paper qualifications but are unable to obtain interviews when seeking new positions because the right qualifications do not appear in their CV. Job vacancies will often require some qualification or award before even considering you for an interview. With the arrival of 'selection by computer', where CV's are surveyed electronically and ONLY those containing certain 'buzz' words are filtered, the necessity of having the right qualifications is becoming a major importance.
Let it be said that nobody is trying to 'degrade' the efforts of those who have succeeded in completing a traditional education. In fact, they should be commended in doing to. However, for those who don't have the means or chance to have completed traditional education With APL there are no courses to sign up to, no classes to attend and no exams to sit.
Although the concept of APL seems quite a logical and an extremely useful way of recognizing people’s skills, academic institutions have only recently been prepared to accept this as a way to credit individuals - credit which can be used towards further education. It must be noted that the uses of APL will vary from institution to institution.
The typical candidates of APL are 25+ years of age, seeking recognition for past achievements in order to help them gain entry to further education or progress within their careers. Individuals with overseas qualifications can also make use of the APL process. Although these are non-traditional awards, the APL process cannot provide awards in traditional medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, psychiatry, nursing or social work.
The APL can provide individuals with many opportunities and open several doors for them, but how they will succeed with it will be based upon their knowledge of the chosen subject, as it is the success with which they back the award. It is up to each person who acquires a non-traditional award from TCU that they are totally au fait with the type of job they are applying for and that once they obtain employment they are competent enough to handle the position.
