Preparing a portfolio

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of assembled evidence that proves that you already have the skills and knowledge in the unit of competency/modules or course you are seeking RPL in.

Before putting your portfolio together ask your teacher for a copy of the elements of competency and performance criteria or the learning outcomes. These will outline the purpose of the unit of competency or module and will guide you in preparing the portfolio.

There are many forms of "evidence". Educational qualifications, training courses you have completed, workplace, community or social activities can all provide evidence of your experiences.

What types of evidence should you provide?

Evidence is any information that proves what you know and can do. Use direct examples of your own work demonstrating your abilities. To support your application for RPL, the evidence must show that your experience and skills match the elements of competency and performance criteria of the unit of competency or the learning outcomes of the module or course. You will need to provide supporting evidence such as:

Certificates from accredited vocational education and training courses
Results from other non-credited courses from various education and training providers
Certificates and statements of attainment from in-house courses sponsored by employers or professional bodies
Samples of work
Statement of duties
Letters from employers verifying vocational skills or otherwise providing evidence of the ways in which applicants have applied their knowledge and skills
Letters from clients, verifying work done
Details of community activities involving significant responsibilities
Records of workplace activities

Example of Evidence that might be provided to meet a learning outcome

To Operate a Gas Barbecue the skills and knowledge to be assessed would be:

The safe preparation and use of gas barbecues
The ability to ignite barbecues using safe lighting methods and to monitor heat
The proper cooking of food using gas barbecues
The safe and effective cleaning up of all barbecue surfaces and equipment

The Evidence you supply might be:

A copy of the instructions you wrote for staff at your workplace on how to use gas barbecues safely
A video of you demonstrating how to light a barbecue properly and monitor heat effectively
A photocopy of the award you won for cooking the best steak on a gas barbecue at the annual Chef's Picnic
A signed and dated letter from your supervisor relating how you always clean the barbecue workspace and equipment in line with company OH&S requirements

Letter of Validation

A letter of validation should always:

Be written on official stationery
Be written by a person who knows the applicant and has direct knowledge of the activity on which the claim is based
State clearly the relationship between the author and the applicant
Give full details of the activity, indicating the relevance and relationship between the knowledge and experience including such things as what, when, where and duration
Include an evaluation of the level of the applicant's understanding and performance

The letter should be one of validation, not recommendation.

Collecting Evidence

It is your responsibility to gather and assemble evidence to support your claim for recognition with enough detail to help the assessor reach a decision. The assessor will be looking for evidence that you can do the tasks required as outlined in the learning outcomes. While one piece of evidence may not prove much on its own, when corroborated by a number of other pieces, it can help to build up a picture of a person's competence.

About your portfolio

The assessor will be looking for evidence that is:

Relevant - can it be directly linked to the learning outcome you are claiming RPL for?
Authentic - have you actually learned what you claim and can this be verified
Current - is your learning still valid, can you perform the skills you may have learned some years ago? Is the knowledge you have about this area still fresh?
Transferable - can the skills and knowledge you have learned in one situation be used in another?
Sufficient - your evidence should convince the assessor your skills and knowledge adequately compares with the module content

Before you submit your portfolio

Make sure you include certified copies of your documents. (The originals may need to be sighted)
Present your portfolio in a way that shows how your experience, skills and knowledge match the learning outcomes
Be selective and disciplined about your choice of evidence
Organise your material in a logical order and present it in plain English and format

Applicants should note that:

The assessor may request an interview with the applicant if details of the portfolio need to be clarified
A challenge activity may be required so that applicants can demonstrate the skills and knowledge
The assessor may contact relevant authorities to check the authenticity of documents submitted as evidence

For advice or more information on exemptions or preparing your portfolio, contact the Head Teacher in the section.

Additional assistance can be obtained from Counsellors, Multicultural Education Coordinator, Disabilities Consultants, Aboriginal Education Coordinators, Course Information Officers or the Women's Strategy Officer.