Background and Context of Recognition of Prior Learning & Certification
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process used to identify, assess and certify a person’s knowledge, skills and competencies – regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred – against prescribed standards for a part (modular) or full qualification (NSW DET, 2009; MQA, 2009; VETA, 2014). It is an official or formal recognition of one’s knowledge, and skill acquired or learned on the job or informal training or via life experience or any combination of these three. The RPL system focusses on the outcomes rather than how, when or where the learning occurred. It gives a person credit for skills and knowledge acquired at school, work, home, jua kali (informal) sector or through clubs, hobbies, and work experiences. Therefore, RPL has the potential to address the needs of disadvantaged groups and have a positive impact on entry into formal training. In addition, it can bring benefits to the workplace by enhancing employability and a better matching of skills, demand, and supply.
In Kenya, the mandate to implement RPL is under the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). The Authority was established in 2015 through the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) Act No. 22 of 2014 (and KNQF Regulations, 2018). The Authority was set up to coordinate and harmonize; education, training, assessment and quality assurance to all qualifications awarded in the country, with the view to improving quality and international comparability.
The structure of the colonial education system left many Kenyans with large gaps in their education, training, and development, leading to inequalities of opportunity, illiteracy and unemployment. Despite the concerted efforts to address inequalities since independence, skills development outcomes have not matched with market needs. Most skilled youth in Kenya get their training through the informal apprenticeship under the instruction of Master Crafts Person (MCP). Enrolment in vocational training schemes remains low, at the same time the institutions experience massive dropout rates. This is because formal skills training is costly for households; leaving informal apprenticeships to provide the technical skills needed by the Kenyan youth. On the other hand, youth going through informal apprenticeship do not get certificates upon completion of training, which impedes the recognition of their learning by third parties especially formal learning institutions, employers and business opportunities where professional certificates are a requirement. This makes it difficult for the youth to transition into formal learning systems, employment in the formal sector or grow their enterprises.
It is therefore with this realisation that the RPL process is being used as a means to address the inequalities of the past, facilitating mobility, progression and access within education, training and development career paths. RPL systems makes it possible for people with informal experiences to gain formal recognition of their skills and competencies in order to advance their academic careers or training.
RPL Support under “PROSPECTS” Partnership
The PROSPECTS partnership is a collaboration of the ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, IFC and the World Bank, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Netherlands, which aims to complement humanitarian assistance with a development approach focusing on the nexuses between education (including skills development and training), protection and employment. This is significant given the displacement trends with UNHCR projecting that Kenya is likely to continue to be amongst the top refugee hosting countries in Africa.
Under the partnership, the ILO intends to increase the number of refugees and host communities’ members with quality education and skills training and help transform the way governments and other stakeholders including the private sector, respond to forced displacement. The ILO interventions will serve to make refugees and members of the host communities more attractive in the labour market, by ensuring that they have skills that are in demand, and that these skills are recognised and certified. By so doing, the project will mitigate their plight during years of exile and best prepare them for their return through socio-economic inclusion and strengthen the resilience of host communities through inclusive socio-economic development.
Among the key intervention areas identified by KNQA and other stakeholders during ILO consultations, is the need for support towards digitization of RPL system (RPL IMS), awareness creation and sensitization of stakeholders on RPL policy 2020, capacity strengthening and field testing/piloting of the existing guidelines.
Objectives of the Consultancy
The objectives of this assignment is to provide on- site technical support through an action plan aimed at strengthening the capacities of KNQA in the implementation of RPL including the roll out of an Information Management System (IMS) and advocacy on RPL. The consultant will also coordinate piloting of RPL IMS for identified occupational profiles in Turkana, Garissa and other selected Counties.
Scope of Work and Tasks
Under the general direction of the KNQA Director General and technical support from ILO Chief Technical Advisor and Skills & Employment Specialists the consultants will aim to:
Coordinate the development of the RPL Information Management System in line with KNQA requirements.
Develop activity road map for piloting of RPL IMS for identified occupational profiles in Turkana and Garissa Counties and other selected areas.
Review and ensure the quality of concepts regarding the steps to be taken to implement the RPL pilot assessment and to the accompanying trainings and orientations to be done to assessors and facilitators.
Develop an awareness and publicity plan to guide KNQA create awareness and interest about RPL to examination bodies, potential MCPs, employers and other stakeholders.
Coordinate review of RPL policy, guidelines, and integrate the revisions into policy document to enhance inclusion of marginalized groups including refugee Submit monthly reports to KNQA and ILO on the progress of the assigned activities.
Maintain regular constant consultation with ILO Chief Technical Advisor on the overall implementation of all assigned and approved by KQA regarding this assignment.
Develop and implement a training and capacity building workplan for various actors within the RPL value chain.
Document all capacity building activities including list of all beneficiaries during coordination and include them in your reports as per above.
Coordinate all meetings that are scheduled as part of the implementation of this assignment convened by the KQNA.
Carry out any other activities that will support implementation of the RPL process in Kenya.
Competence and Expertise Requirement
The consultant should meet the following requirements.
Education:
University Degree in Education Technology or any other social sciences with focus on training and education, economics, or related field. Advanced degree/ postgraduate training in Education Assessment, Measurements and Evaluation is desirable.
Skills
Must possess good communication skills both oral and written. Excellent writing/editing command of English required.
Experience
At least ten year of experience working in Technical, Vocational Education, and Training.
Three years’ experience in quality assurance, quality audits and/or assessment management.
Experience in writing of standards and guidelines and regulations of higher education.
Five years’ experience in project management.
Professional Training and Certification:
KNQA registered assessor of Prior Learning, and either registered/ accredited as an examiner/assessor with NITA, TVETA CDACC or any other RPL certification or accreditation will be an added advantage
Deliverables
The main deliverable of the assignment will be:
A detailed work-plan for the assignment
An operational and tested RPL IMS
Monthly reports and quarterly reports on the implementation of RPL assessment Pilot ,trainings or orientations done, meetings conducted
Documented lesson learnt and recommendations including best practices
Consultancy Duration
The tasks set out in section 4 of these TOR will be completed in a total of 365 day (1 year) upon signing of contract.
Reporting Lines
The RPL consultant will report to the KNQA Director General and ILO Chief Technical Advisor of the PROSPECTS project in Kenya.
The position will receive technical support from PROSPECTS team and will coordinate closely with the Regional Skills and Employment Specialist of PROSPECTS programme.
Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest, CVs and other supporting documents that show previous experience in similar assignments to E- mail: geofrey@ilo.org to reach no later than 5.00 P.M. on Friday 6th November 2020, Quoting “Consultancy for KNQA Recognition of Prior Learning”
Apply via :
geofrey@ilo.org
