Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Digital Badge – Registration Closing 28th March! As educators, we know that learning happens in many ways, through experience, reflection, and practice. Recognition of Prior Learning RPL allows us to acknowledge and validate diverse learning pathways. The RPL Digital Badge, offered by the National Forum T&L, is a free, fully online course designed specifically for those working in tertiary education. Whether you’re new to RPL or looking to refine your approach, this flexible 8-week programme will equip you with the tools and insights to integrate RPL into your practice and support your institution’s learners more effectively. With over 300 badges issued, this course has already empowered educators across the sector. What you’ll gain: 🔹 A solid foundation in RPL principles and policies 🔹 The ability to reflect on and apply RPL in your own institution 🔹 Insights into aligning learning outcomes with RPL candidates’ experiences 🔹 A practical, supportive learning community 📅 Key details: 🗓 Registration closes: Friday, 28 March 2025 🖥 Course starts: Wednesday, 2 April 2025 🕘 Live webinars: Wednesdays, 9:30am–11:00am (recorded for flexibility) There’s no cost to participate. Register today and take a step toward enhancing your teaching practice and supporting lifelong learning. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2tZQa4a #RPL #YourLearningCounts #HCIPillar3 #HigherEd #TeachingAndLearning #LifelongLearning #DigitalBadge Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) Irish Universities Association Skillnet Ireland Atlantic Technological University Dublin City University Dundalk Institute of Technology Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology Technological University of the Shannon Munster Technological University South East Technological University University of Limerick University of Galway University College Dublin University College Cork Trinity College Dublin Maynooth University Technological University Dublin

Spotlighting RPL at Technological University Dublin Technological University Dublin has made significant progress in Recognition of Prior Learning by embedding a comprehensive and ambitious RPL policy across its programmes. Since the approval of its University-wide RPL policy in 2022, the institution has made significant strides in ensuring that professionals and lifelong learners can gain formal academic recognition for their skills, knowledge, and experience. A key development is the BA (Hons) in Screen Industry Practice, designed for experienced professionals in the screen industries to formalise their prior learning and gain qualifications through an accelerated RPL pathway. This programme reflects the growing role of RPL in providing accessible and flexible learning opportunities, particularly in rapidly evolving sectors. As one learner explains; “It would be valuable to quantify all the on-the-job learning I have done in my 35 year career, in a way that will enable me to operate more effectively in education and training roles in the future.” Sincere thanks to RPL Project Lead Jan Cairns for contributing this piece to highlight the great progress that has been made in furthering #RPL at TU Dublin. #RPL #TUDublin #HCIPillar3 #YourLearningCounts #LifelongLearning #HigherEducation #RecognitionOfPriorLearning #ScreenIndustry #FutureSkills Irish Universities Association Technological Higher Education Association (THEA)

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is committed to expanding access to higher education through Recognition of Prior Learning, a process that values professional experience and informal learning as pathways to higher education. As outlined in the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, RPL plays a crucial role in their ambition to become Ireland’s University for the Creative Industries, ensuring that diverse learners, industry professionals, and lifelong learners can access and progress through higher education. “Seeing my years of practical experience valued equally to a traditional degree was affirming. It made me feel seen and respected.” – Gabriella Kate Cannon, 2024 Cyberpsychology Graduate Read more about how RPL is shaping the learner journey at IADT in this latest institutional spotlight article. A special mention to RPL Project Leads, part and present who have been instrumental in advancing RPL throughout the course of this project! Rebecca Roper Dr Selina Guinness Louisa Keogh #RPL #IADT #LifelongLearning #YourLearningCounts #HCIPillar3 #AccessToEducation #CreativeIndustries #RecognitionOfPriorLearning

📽️ We are delighted to share a video capturing key insights from our recent event, 'RPL in 2025: Outcomes, Reflections, and Next Steps'. This event brought together senior leaders to discuss the role of Recognition of Prior Learning in shaping the future of lifelong learning, workforce upskilling, and educational access in Ireland. In this video, Vivienne Patterson Higher Education Authority , Nora Trench Bowles Irish Universities Association, Minister James Lawless and Colm O'Reardon Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Staunton Ciara, Recognition of Prior Learning , Veronica Campbell President of South East Technological University, John O'Halloran University College Cork, and @Dr. Joseph Ryan Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) who shared their perspectives on: ✅ What RPL is and why it’s a vital mechanism for lifelong learning ✅ The achievements of the National RPL Project and its impact ✅ Next steps for RPL in Ireland, ensuring broader access and recognition of skills A huge thank you to all our contributors and partners for their commitment to advancing RPL in Ireland. We invite you to watch the video and join the conversation on how we can continue to embed RPL into our education and skills systems. #YourLearningCounts #RPL #LifelongLearning #Skills #HigherEducation #NationalRPLProject #RecognitionOfPriorLearning #FutureOfEducation

Spotlight on RPL at SETU! At South East Technological University, significant progress has been made to embed RPL as a mainstream pathway, ensuring that learners' experience and expertise are formally recognised. Key achievements include: ✅ Approval of the new SETU RPL Policy ✅ The launch of the SETU RPL Webpage, centralising resources and information ✅ Establishment of the RPL Community of Practice, enabling collaboration and shared learning ✅ Development of SETU RPL Micro-credentials, reinforcing staff capacity and expertise ✅ Implementation of the RPL Faculty Advisor Pilot, ensuring structured support across faculties Sincere thanks to RPL Project Leads, both past and present, special mention to Deirdre Harkin for contributing this piece to highlight the great progress that has been made in furthering #RPL at SETU. #RecognitionOfPriorLearning #RPL #SETU #HigherEducation #LifelongLearning #RPLProject #EducationInnovation #Upskilling #PathwaysToLearning

We are delighted to share the following #RPL 'spotlight' article from Munster Technological University where Recognition of Prior Learning has been embedded in practice since 1999, providing learners, staff, and industry partners with opportunities to recognise and formalise learning gained through experience. With the support of the National RPL in Higher Education Project, MTU has further strengthened its policies, procedures, and engagement with enterprise. MTU’s commitment to RPL has evolved beyond individual learners to become a key pillar in enterprise engagement, including: ✅ Learning Clinics – Pioneered by MTU Extended Campus, these outreach initiatives make the university more accessible to enterprise employees considering a return to education. Since the project began, 30 Learning Clinics have been coordinated, engaging 15 companies and reaching approximately 25,000 employees. ✅ Networking Events – Strengthening industry connections, MTU has hosted three large-scale events that engaged 450 companies and 1,200 employees in conversations about upskilling, RPL pathways, and future workforce needs. A special acknowledgment to Dr Deirdre Goggin, RPL Project Lead at MTU, whose expertise and dedication has been instrumental in enhancing staff training, developing clear RPL guidelines, and leading important outreach initiatives to make RPL more accessible. For those interested in learning more about RPL and how it supports learners, institutions, and enterprise partners, visit: 🔗 https://www.cit.ie/rpl Find out more about the National RPL Project at 🔗 priorlearning.ie and explore the RPL Toolkit, a key resource for higher education staff. #RecognitionOfPriorLearning #RPL #HigherEducation #YourLearningCounts #EnterpriseEngagement #LifelongLearning #MTU #Upskilling #Reskilling

At Dundalk Institute of Technology, #RPL is now a recognised route for programme entry and progression, providing a real opportunity for individuals to leverage their prior experience, skills, and knowledge to access higher education. A huge acknowledgment to Project Leads, past and present, Patrick Logue, RPL Project Lead at DkIT, for his dedication to making RPL more accessible for learners and ensuring its integration within institutional processes. As Patrick says: "RPL is about unlocking opportunities for learners, helping them recognise the value of their experiences and using this process as a mechanism to gain formal qualifications that open doors to new educational and career pathways." DkIT has already seen increased interest in RPL, particularly in Engineering and Building Surveying programmes, reflecting the evolving needs of the workforce. For those interested in learning more about RPL and how it can support both learners and institutions, visit 🔗 priorlearning.ie to explore valuable resources, including the RPL Toolkit, designed to support academic and professional staff. #YourLearningCounts #LifelongLearning #PriorLearnign #RPL #HCIPillar3 #HigherEducation #LifelongLearning #DkIT #HigherEducation #dkitpostgraduate   Dr Philip Scanlon

Thinking about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) but not sure where to start? For many of us working in higher and further education, #RPL is one of those concepts we know about, but when it comes to applying it in practice, things can get a little unclear. How does it fit within our policies? How do we assess prior learning fairly? And what impact does it have on students and institutions alike? This is where the National Forum T&L RPL Digital Badge comes in. This free online course is designed specifically for staff, offering a practical and flexible way to explore RPL and its relevance to our roles. What can you expect from completing the RPL Digital Badge? ✅ A solid grounding in how RPL works and why it matters ✅ A chance to reflect on RPL in your own institution and beyond ✅ Peer discussions to learn from others facing the same challenges ✅ Tools to connect policy with practice in a meaningful way If you work in tertiary education, whether directly involved in RPL or just curious about its impact, this is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding. Course Format: 8 weeks, online, with weekly 90-minute webinars + flexible self-paced learning Starts: 2nd April 2025 Register by: Friday 28th March 2025 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2tZQa4a A past participant summed it up best: "One of the best badges I have ever completed. Even though I don’t work directly with RPL, the conversations and insights were incredibly relevant. The guest contributors were excellent—a pleasure to listen to.” #YourLearningCounts #HigherEd #LifelongLearning #RPL #TeachingAndLearning #DigitalBadge

Over the course of the National RPL Project, fourteen higher education institutions have worked together to embed a more structured, transparent, and accessible approach to RPL. The project has delivered critical advancements to strengthen institutional capacity, provide greater clarity for learners, and further the groundwork for a system where prior learning is recognised as a valued and viable pathway into and through higher education. Today, we are delighted to 'spotlight' RPL advancements at Maynooth University where the formal implementation of RPL has helped learners leverage their experiential knowledge to access and progress in academic programmes. Throughout the course of this project, a university-wide RPL policy had been formally approved helping to establish key principles for RPL practice at the University. The policy is supported by a comprehensive suite of resources and guides designed for staff and applicants, ensuring consistent experience for all stakeholders engaged in RPL. A core focus for Maynooth University has been on the introduction of RPL Scholarships to reward excellence in prior experiential learning. Sincere thanks to RPL Project Lead Carol Lynch for contributing this piece to highlight the great progress that has been made in furthering #RPL. #YourLearningCounts #RPL #AllLearningCounts #LifelongLearning #HCIPillar3 #HigherEducation #PriorLearning MU Postgraduate Studies

Registration Now Open for the RPL Digital Badge! We’re excited to announce that the RPL Digital Badge is back, offering a free, fully online course designed for staff in tertiary education who want to enhance their understanding of Recognition of Prior Learning. 📅 Start Date: 2 April 2025 ⏳ Duration: 6 weeks (8 weeks with facilitator add-on) 🖥️ Format: Live weekly webinars + self-directed learning Over 312 badges have already been issued, helping educators and professionals across the sector integrate RPL into their practice. Whether you’re new to RPL or looking to deepen your expertise, this course provides valuable insights, practical tools, and a collaborative learning experience. What you’ll learn: ✅ Understand and apply RPL in your institution ✅ Reflect on its impact for students, staff, and policies ✅ Align existing policies with practice ✅ Explore connections between programme/module learning outcomes and RPL candidates 📢 Registration closes on Friday, 28 March 2025. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2tZQa4a #RPL #HigherEd #DigitalBadge #RecognitionOfPriorLearning #YourLearningCounts #HCIPillar3 #TertiaryEducation #LifelongLearning Higher Education Authority