Expanding notions of competence in recognition of prior learning assessments of candidate artisans in South Africa

In South Africa, a recent policy initiative is under way to certificate unqualified artisans through recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment of those who have work skills and experience but lack formal qualifications required to take the official national trade test. This article is based on a larger empirical study to investigate South African RPL practitioner perspectives and practices in light of formal policies, in settings where RPL for uncertificated artisans was being conducted, in order to understand how these candidate artisans were being assessed and how evidence of competence was being evaluated. Findings revealed that practitioners assessed only a limited range of competencies required for modern work environments, and that consequently the type of assessment being conducted was also limited to traditional methods. It was evident that more innovative assessment of a wider scope of competencies is needed.