Role of recognition of prior learning for emerging economies: learning from a four sector pilot project in India

ABSTRACT

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) has increasingly been recognised as a useful way to certify experience and competencies gained in the workplace informally. Particularly pertinent is RPL in the context of international migration or in economies, where system reforms seek to overcome challenges related to access to formal training and qualifications. India has the goal to skill 300 million of its growing workforce and provide them access at various levels to certification and further learning opportunities. As a part of the overall system reforms, the Government of India, jointly with the ILO, pilot tested RPL in four sectors in collaboration with the industry and built the foundation for wider replication for another 26 growth sectors by undertaking a tracer study and evaluation. This paper can empirically establish that RPL has had a positive effect on income opportunities, occupational safety, social status and openness to further learning. The paper further discusses the challenges encountered during the implementation of the RPL projects before concluding with recommendations, highlighting the aspects required for quality RPL in an emerging economy. It closes by emphasising the importance of conducting tracer studies to determine impact and the need to provide complementary training during the RPL process.

KEYWORDS:

• Recognition of prior learning
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms in emerging economies
• impact of RPL
• tracer studies

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the ILO and the Government of India for the permission to share these study findings.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Southern African Development Community and Caribbean Community.

2. These growth sectors include manufacturing, infrastructure construction as well as agriculture all of which, along with Skill Development initiatives, got a major boost in Government of India’s year 2017 budget.

3. National Occupational Standards and Qualification Packs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra Rothboeck

Sandra Rothboeck has over 20 years experience in skills development as a technical specialist and consultant. She has worked in the ILO in South Asia and East Asia, before she joined Swisscontact a technical development agency as a senior advisor skills development. She has a PhD in workplace based learning and her interests include apprenticeships, workplace based learning and labour market insertion. After having worked and lived in Asia for 18 years, she currently works in Swisscontact in Zurich Headquarters.

Paul Comyn

Paul Comyn has over 30 years experience in TVET and skills development as a technical specialist and consultant across a range of industry sectors and in number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Pakistan, Ghana, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He has a PhD in vocational education and training policy and his interests include skills policies and industry engagement in skills development. He has worked for the ILO for the past ten years and in 2015 transferred to Geneva after five years based in New Delhi as the Senior Skills Specialist for South Asia.

Partha S. Banerjee

Partha S.Banerjee has over 25 years of experience on policy advisory, and managing public sector projects in India and overseas. He has conducted primary and secondary research on Labour Markets, conceptualized convergence planning, and evaluated public programs. His clientele includes multi-lateral development banks, UN agencies, national and provincial Governments, reputed State Owned Enterprises, apex industry associations and the private sector. He has been a Partner in PwC, in KPMG, and is now building his advisory Firm.