Recognise Your Past, Empower Your Future
RPL helps you get your prior learning formally recognised by matching your knowledge and skills to a QQI award. Prior learning is all your learning that has taken place up until now: at work, in your community, in school, through courses, within your family and in your social life. RPL can provide you with new opportunities through further education and training to the workplace or higher education.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and Learner Experiences below…
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) helps you get your prior learning recognised by matching your knowledge and skills to a QQI award.
Prior learning is all your learning that has taken place up until now: at work, in your community, in school, through courses, within your family and in your social life.
RPL is about opportunity and providing you with new pathways through further education and training to higher education or the workplace.
QQI is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system.
It ensures that learners achieve qualifications that are valued nationally and internationally. It is also responsible for the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
In Further Education and Training, this includes QQI awards from Level 1 (general learning) to Level 6 (advanced occupational skills) as illustrated below.
A recognised award is a formal qualification that recognises knowledge and skills. QQI make these awards.
RPL makes it possible for you to be rewarded for what you know, understand and can do. The process involves reflecting on your past experiences.
You will develop an RPL portfolio by identifying and documenting what you have learned. Over time, you will gather evidence like letters, photos, or videos showing your skills and experiences.
All types of evidence can be considered. You will be helped to come up with ideas and advised on what to do to get this evidence.
Your portfolio will then be assessed. If it meets the required standards, it will be formally recognised by QQI.
You will have a dedicated RPL Mentor who will guide and support you through the process by:
- Explaining all the steps and what you must do
- Giving you advice about what evidence to collect and how to do it
- Helping you identify learning gaps and how to fill them
- An RPL Assessor is the person who will grade your portfolio. Your RPL Mentor will be the link between you and the RPL Assessor.
Building an RPL portfolio involves putting all the evidence of your past learning together. This means you will do some or all of the following:
- Gather evidence of your skills and experiences
- Write about your experiences and what you have learned from them (this is called ‘reflective writing’)
- Attend meetings with your Mentor when required
- Attend workshops or short classes when your Mentor thinks this is needed.
The length of time it takes to complete the process varies by person. This depends on your individual circumstances. Essentially, you will work at your own pace. However, your Mentor will give you timelines to help keep you on track.
You will be suitable for RPL if your experience is related to a recognised award. If you are not suitable, your local College of FET campus will advise you on what to do next, including other ways to get a recognised award.
RPL applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through English, must demonstrate the appropriate CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) proficiency:
- QQI Level 1 and 2 awards do not require a demonstration of CEFR proficiency for access
- QQI Level 3 awards require A2 proficiency for access
- QQI Level 4 awards require B1 proficiency for access
- QQI Level 5 and 6 awards require B2 proficiency for access
- An Irish Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied qualification achieved through English meets the CEFR B2 English language requirement.
RPL is free for everyone. There are no costs associated with enrolment or having your RPL portfolio assessed for certification.
- Freephone 1800 70 70 77
- Email coursechoices@lcetb.ie
- Drop in and meet a member of the Guidance and Support team at one of our Information Hubs in Limerick and Clare:
LIMERICK
College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Campus, Limerick City, V94 W651
CLARE
- You will be given an RPL application form to fill in and return to us (we will help you with this)
- We will check your application to make sure you are suitable
- If you are, your RPL Mentor will contact you to arrange a meeting and guide you through the steps, including setting up meetings and workshops
- Don’t worry if this all takes some time, we will be in contact with you soon
- Again, remember that if you are unsuitable for RPL, your local College of FET campus can still help you decide what to do next.
Learner Experiences
Meet Nataliia…
In her native Ukraine, Nataliia studied teaching and qualified as a Maths and Physics teacher. However, she always loved children and was passionate about childcare. A few years ago, she had the opportunity to move to Dubai to pursue a career in childcare, where she worked as a preschool teacher for four years. Upon returning to Ukraine, she and her young daughter were forced to leave because of the ongoing conflict.
After arriving in Ireland, Nataliia was keen to continue working in childcare. She took English lessons to improve her job prospects. Nataliia secured a job in a childcare centre but could only work as an assistant as her teaching experience and qualifications were not recognised.
After discovering RPL, Nataliia was excited to learn she could get her prior experience recognised and continue improving her skillset to pursue her career in childcare. Rather than having to enrol in a new course, Nataliia enjoyed the flexibility afforded to her by undertaking RPL. The online check-ins with her RPL Mentor enabled her to balance being a single mother with her work and studies. After submitting her portfolio for assessment, she was awarded the QQI Level 5 Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education. Soon after, Nataliia had the opportunity to progress at her workplace and was promoted from assistant to teacher.
I really wanted to work in childcare, but I could only be hired as an assistant. RPL was perfect because I didn’t have to start from zero, I could get my previous experience recognised. RPL has given me the chance to work in my dream job as an Early Years Educator and I couldn’t be more grateful…
— Natallia
Meet Matoko…
Matoko has always had a passion for helping people. His passion led him to study nursing in his native Angola. After completing his studies, Matoko was keen to get experience in nursing. He worked evening shifts in hospitals and medical centres to gain experience as a general nurse.
Unfortunately, rising social tensions, conflict and human rights atrocities left Matoko with a hard decision on whether to stay or leave his country to pursue a safer and more secure future elsewhere. Matoko made his way to Europe and, after some time, arrived in Ireland. He was eager to continue building his experience as a nurse.
However, he learned that his qualifications were not recognised here. Matoko began looking at courses that he could take. With the encouragement of the Irish Refugee Council, he chose to study Pre- Nursing Studies in Dublin.
Before Matoko could start the course, he was transferred to Clare for accommodation. Keen to start a new course, Matoko began studying Community Health Services instead. During this time, he learned about RPL, and how his prior experience and qualifications in nursing could exempt him from having to complete all modules on his course.
With the support of the RPL team, he decided to begin the RPL process. At the time of writing, Matoko had just finished his portfolio and his course, and was awaiting his results.
I had a wonderfully engaging Mentor who took the time to fully explain the process and guided me through it. Since RPL is based on your work experience and previous certifications, I found the process very straight-forward. Within the structures provided, I could work at my own pace…
— Matoko
Meet Michelle…
For close to 25 years, Michelle worked as a hairdresser in a successful salon. During this time, she worked hard to develop her knowledge and skills and won several awards for her hairdressing. Despite her success, there was no nationally-recognised award in her profession until recently. When the opportunity arose, she was determined to take it. As happy as Michelle was to finally have this opportunity, she felt a little deflated as she believed she would have to enrol in a three-year apprenticeship despite already having a successful career in hairdressing. After speaking with the salon manager, Michelle learned that she could achieve her goal a lot quicker by getting her experience recognised through RPL with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET.
After she applied for RPL, Michelle learned she was a suitable candidate and began the process. Having left formal education after Leaving Certificate, Michelle found it challenging to start her portfolio as she adapted to a new learning environment, but the support and guidance she received from her RPL Mentor helped her navigate the process. In the end, Michelle completed her portfolio and was awarded the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Hairdressing.
Having completed RPL, Michelle has explored opportunities outside of the salon but within the industry. She now works as a hairdressing tutor and an RPL Mentor, having been inspired by the help she received from her Mentor and the impact that RPL has had on her life.
RPL has changed my life. I have a whole new career that I love, new colleagues that are amazingly supportive, a work life balance that I have always wanted, and I still get to be involved in the hairdressing industry. I am an RPL Mentor now, so I get to guide people through their RPL journey and I also teach Level 3 Hairdressing, so I really have the best of both worlds…
— Michelle
Meet Thomas…
Before starting his RPL journey, Thomas had over 40 years of experience working in the hairdressing industry. He began his career as an apprentice, gradually refining his skills before establishing himself through the quality of his work.
Thomas’s passion for his craft led him to New York City, where he continued upskilling and achieving hairdressing certifications. During this time, he became a successful stylist, manager, and salon owner. Upon returning to Ireland, Thomas was keen to train the next generation of Irish hairdressers.
Although he achieved multiple certifications in hairdressing, these qualifications were not formally recognised under the NFQ. Despite this, Thomas became one of the first instructors to teach on the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme.
When approached with the opportunity to have his experience and skills formally recognised through RPL, Thomas excitedly accepted and started his application. With the support of his RPL Mentor, Thomas gathered the necessary evidence to create his portfolio and submitted his work for assessment. Through RPL, Thomas became the first hairdresser in Ireland to receive a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Hairdressing, setting a new industry standard nationally.
The support and encouragement I received from the RPL team reassured me throughout the process. My RPL Mentor also gave me a structured approach to gathering my evidence, so I felt confident when submitting my work for assessment…
— Thomas
Meet Cristina…
Cristina studied Early Childcare and Primary School Teaching in her native Moldova. In 2014, she moved to Ireland but found her qualifications were not recognised. To make matters more complicated, her English was limited, too. This made it difficult for Cristina to find work in the areas she was qualified to work in.
She began taking Advanced English lessons to improve her chances of employment. Cristina started working evening jobs to make ends meet while raising her three young children. By the time her Advanced English course finished, she had passed all her exams.
Cristina enrolled in a Special Needs Assistant course to develop her skills further. During this time, she was informed that she could get her prior experience and qualifications recognised in childcare through RPL. Cristina contacted a member of our support team who helped match her credentials to a QQI award. She was later assigned an RPL Mentor. Her RPL Mentor helped her apply for the programme and supported her in creating her RPL portfolio. In the end, Cristina achieved a QQI Level 5 Early Childhood Care and Education qualification.
Cristina contacted a member of our support team who helped match her credentials to a QQI award. She was later assigned an RPL Mentor. Her RPL Mentor helped her apply for the programme and supported her in creating her RPL portfolio. In the end, Cristina achieved a QQI Level 5 Early Childhood Care and Education qualification.
RPL has completely transformed my life and that of my family. Now, I am employed in a job I never thought possible when I first arrived in Ireland. My work hours fit in with the children’s school schedule, allowing me to bring them to and collect them from school. Now, we can share the same time off over the summer holidays. Having my dream job has made a huge difference in my life.
— Cristina
Contact Us
Freephone: 1800 70 70 77
Email: coursechoices@lcetb.ie
Drop in and meet a member of the Guidance and Support team at one of our Information Hubs in Limerick and Clare.
- Limerick: College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Campus, Limerick City, V94 W651
- Clare: College of FET, Ennis Campus, County Clare, V95 KT95