Experienced agriculturists without formal academic qualifications can be fast-tracked through a historic partnership between the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) and the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture.
Launched last week in North West, the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Centre is the fifth of its kind supported by AgriSETA.
RPL provides an alternative access route into a learning programme when a candidate does not meet the academic entry requirements for admission into an educational institution. This applies to learning programmes that are obtainable by accredited institutions (including adult education and training centres) or by workplace-based training providers.
Zenzele Myeza, AgriSETA’s chief executive officer says, “AgriSETA, in partnership with colleges of agriculture is creating an enabling environment to enhance effective progression and articulation of RPL practices and services in and across different learning and qualification pathways. In this regard, the organisation is passionately driving the administrative and logistical systems and the staff capacity to deliver quality RPL to scale.”
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This partnership programme, among other agricultural initiatives by AgriSETA, follows Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation address in which he described agriculture as “one of the industries with the greatest potential for growth and to transform the industry”.
The RPL process also directs the likelihood for social transformation to allow access to all individuals regardless of gender, race or disability. The programme and associated funding by AgriSETA of R1.3 million will benefit some 200 learners including, amongst others, up-and-coming and commercial farmers and cooperatives who fit into the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) system of levels 1 to 4. The NQF system records the credits assigned to each level of learning achievement in a formal way to ensure the recognition of skills and knowledge acquired on the job.
“To this end, we must accept that recognition of prior learning is a prerequisite and not a privilege,” says Myeza.
AgriSETA will further support the implementation of RPL annually and according to the determination of the programme.
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