Every South African has a family member or friend that is a good artisan, like an electrician,
plumber and motor mechanic. These artisans are some of the highest earning, most sought-after people around the world. However, many are working for years without an official Certificate. This stops them from offering many people services as they do not have an official document that proves they are competent. They want to run their own business but need to be officially recognized as professionals by funders or even customers.
The solution to all these pains is to apply for recognition of prior learning or “RPL” – get recognized
and certified for what you can do, and earn what you deserve.
One of the best places you can apply at is the Africa Skills Accredited Trade Test Centre.
We can help you to become certified, officially and formally for:
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Hairdressing
- Plumbing
- Welding
Africa Skills follows the official national government process for “RPL”, meaning we stick to the rules
so you can get a certificate… contact us today to find out more or download an application here.
Why ARPL?
Recognition of Prior Learning is a process whereby people’s prior learning can be formally
recognized in terms of registered qualifications and unit standards, regardless of where and how the
learning was attained. RPL acknowledges that people never stop learning, whether it takes place
formally at an educational institution, or whether it happens informally.
Outline of the ARPL Process:
Application
Prospective ARPL candidates apply at an accredited Trade Test Centre, accredited for the trade,
which is being applied for, to undergo an ARPL process. At application, the prospective candidate
completes a standard application form.
Orientation
After applying for ARPL, the candidate will be inducted together with other registered ARPL
candidates to inform them of:
- What ARPL is
- The purpose and process of ARPL
- The documentation needed for the Evaluation PoE
- The legislative framework related to ARPL.
- What expectations are created and how to manage those expectations
Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) compilation
The ARPL candidate must compile a PoE that includes a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any other certified
supporting documents of qualifications as well as current and previous employment together with
the trade related duties performed, together with any photographic proof, where available. Please
contact us for more information
Technical Evaluation Panel
The Technical Evaluation panel will evaluate the PoE to determine a candidate’s compliance with the
criteria as required by the Criteria and Guidelines for the implementation of ARPL and the candidate
suitability.
Registration
If a candidate meets the criteria, the candidate will be registered to undergo the ARPL process of
evaluation/interview and assessment.
Candidate Evaluation/Interview
Feedback
Referrals for Gap Closure or Gap Closure and Phase Assessment
Gap Closure or Gap Closure and Phase Assessment
Technical Portfolio of Evidence
The PoE will be updated with the Candidate Evaluation/Interview checklist, the Gap Closure reports
and Phase assessments. The recommendation of the Assessor for trade testing will be included in
the PoE.
Trade Test
On recommendation of the candidate for the trade test by the Assessor, an application may be
submitted to a SETA for evaluation and issuing of a serial number until such a time as regulation 2(1)
and 2(4) of the Trade Test Regulation is implemented.
Becoming a qualified artisan has never been easier. The entire process should take about 2 weeks,
depending on the amount of gap training required to complete the trade test.
Every applicant will go through an interview and will then be given the opportunity to complete the
toolkit. This will highlight any gaps to our facilitators. They will give a recommendation of the
amount of gap training required, if any. The process will be completed with Test Preparation and the
Final Trade Test.
ARPL TRADE TEST COSTS
- Toolkit (Approx. 6hours) – R2400,00
- GAP TRAINING – per day
- Electrician – R850,00
- Bricklayer – R850,00
- Welder – R1000,00
- Bricklayer – R850,00
- Carpenter – R1000,00
- Plumber – R1000,00
- Hairdresser – Available on request
- TRADE TEST – R5000,00
Requirements and Documentation:
- Grade 9
- 3 Years Work Service Agreement (Evidence)
- Electrician – R850,00
- ID
- Proof of Highest School Qualification
- Proof of Residence