WMU GLOBAL STANDARD FOR SKILL WORKSHOP FOR EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL (SWEP)

The SWEP or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process for recognizing learning that has its source in experience and/or previous formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts. This includes knowledge and skills gained within school, college and university and outside formal learning situations such as through life and work experiences.

The SWEP Qualification can be used to benchmark learners’ skills and learning gained through experience as part of their personal development or for career planning. Working adults or Experienced personnel might want to map their prior skills, knowledge and ability against a particular job requirement or particular qualification or training programme.

UNDERSTANDING SWEP

To acknowledge and convert one’s past experience, skills and knowledge into a qualification through series of workshops and monitoring system.

SWEP or Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that involves collection of information of an individual’s relevant work experience to determine the individual skills level. Using SWEP for the recognition of non-formal and informal learning involves a review of past experiences. Learners reflect on their experience
in order to discover and then express what these experiences have taught them. SWEP is a process through which learning gained from experience can be recognized and used. It also includes learning gained through non-formal learning and training programs in the workplace, in the community and in the voluntary sector. People can gain a range of knowledge and skills through:

1. Work Experience
2. School
3. College or University
4. Life Experience
5. Community Experience
6. Public Involvement

Through SWEP qualification may allow individuals to :

• Continue their studies in higher education
• Gain immediate recognition in their workplace
• Become skilled manpower and increase the nation’s Human Resource Index
• Provides upward mobility
• Builds up self-esteem and esteem for others
• Creates peer motivation and healthy competition
• Opportunities for personal development
• Instill pride and confidence in themselves
• Skills accreditation which can be useful for overseas jobseekers

The SWEP process can help people to value and build on the learning they have gained informally. RPL enables learners to realize what they have learnt through their experiences and to demonstrate this to others. It reveals the learner’s potential and capacity to learn from future experiences.

BENEFITS FOR LEARNERS

SWEP recognition can be used by a wide range of people either to help them gain acceptance to higher learning opportunities or towards career advancement. Through SWEP process it may be possible to make a claim for Credit Points which can reduce the amount of time needed to achieve the required learning programme or qualification. Those who might benefit include:

1. People who have been out of the education system for a long time and/or who may lack formal qualifications and/or confidence as learners
2. Working adults returning to education system
3. Unemployed people looking for a way to demonstrate their prior experience to prospective employers
4. People wanting to improve upon existing qualifications
5. Those wanting to re-train or change careers
6. People who have taken non-formal learning or training in the workplace or through community-based learning
7. People who have gained a range of skills and knowledge through volunteering or through activities or projects 
within their community

BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYER

SWEP recognition can support employers by:

1. Helping to identify employees’ skills effectively
2. Helping to identify skills gaps in organizations
3. Helping to identify appropriate training 
opportunities
4. Reducing the time required in employee training due to minimized duplication of learning
5. Increasing motivation and interest in workplace activities on the part of the employee/learner
6. Generating new ideas and developments for the organization as a result of the employee/learner reflecting on work activities. 
As a result, employers may find that SWEP can lead to increased employee retention and reduced recruitment and training costs.
7. Access Key employability skills such as communication, team work, problem solving, initiative and enterprise, planning & organizing, self-management, learning and technology

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For entry onto the SWEP (RPL) qualification, learners must possess:

• People who have been working with more than 3 years of working experience as a supervisor or higher
• People wanting to improve upon existing qualifications
• Unemployed people finding a way to demonstrate their prior experience to prospective employers
• People who have gained wide range of skills and knowledge through social or community projects
• Business or working adult who required accreditation to their skills and knowledge

DELIVERY OF SKILL WORKSHOP FOR EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL

Mode of delivery will be 100% online blended learning. Learners will have to log in to their learning portal at www.wilmingtonmu.edu.eu to access the online portfolio, module and evidence questions.

English requirements: The course will be conducted in English. English language competency is necessary for learners.