WHAT IS RPL?
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RPL stands for recognition of prior learning.
It is a process of identifying, assessing and recognising what someone already knows and can do, without them having to go through a formal or other learning process.
The principle of RPL is based on the fact that everybody entering a learning situation has some amount of existing knowledge and skills. These prior knowledge and skills can be measured and credit given for it – providing that it meet the requirements of the Unit Standards involved for the qualification.


QUALIFICATION  
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According to  regulation everyone should present a Cathsseta (or previous Theta Certificates) in order to register / re-register as a tourist guide.  Although the old National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding (20155) has been replaced by the Further Education and Training:  Tourist Guiding NQF L4 (71549) qualification, it is still valid and accepted.  Only guides who have not obtained any of these two yet are required to apply for assessment against the latter’s unit standards.  
The qualification comprises of 23 Unit Standards and equals 134 Credits. This means that the duration is usually a year. RPL speeds up the process but it is still required that you meet the requirements of the outcomes (and related assessment criteria) of the unit standards in order to be found competent. Makiti Guides & Tours has split the qualification/assessment in two programmes:
The BASICS OF GUIDING evaluates the ability of the guide to research, design and conduct a walking tour on a prominent cultural site. Candidates who only wish to qualify as a culture site guide (NQF L4) should indicate this to the assessor and do not need to continue with the ADVANCED GUIDING assessment (including driving tours & other guiding related activities in a province).


WHO CAN APPLY?
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> Illegal culture guides (who never attended a course or applied for assessment).
> Culture guides who attended training /assessment offered by a non-accredited institution and can therefore not register / re-register.
> Qualified nature/adventure guides who wish to become a provincial culture guide.
> Anyone else who has experience in guiding / managing a tour group / other related experience (e.g. taxi/coach drivers) who is aspiring to become a provincial culture guide.
> Registered culture guides with a valid Theta Certificate for the old qualification but who wish to be assessed against the outcomes of the new qualification and  obtain the FETC: Tourist Guiding NQF L4 (71549). PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS OPTIONAL AND FOR THE GUIDE'S OWN CAREER DEVELOPMENT.



RPL PROCESS
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STEP 1: Complete the RPL Application Form (1):  The assessor will indicate if you can continue after evaluating your submitted information. In the event that you don't qualify for RPL you would need to enrol for the full course.


DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT
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 Should you qualify for RPL, proceed with payment (see cost below) where after the following will be forwarded:
STEP 2: The RPL Self-Evaluation: Basics of Guiding (2)* + RPL Self-Evaluation Advanced Guiding (3) to complete the provincial qualification. You will be introduced to all the assessment criteria and essential embedded knowledge for all the unit standards in this qualification and evaluate yourself against the requirements.
STEP 3: Take online diagnostic tests (links to be forwarded when you are ready / request it). You may decide to skip this step (based on your Self-Evaluation: Basics of Guiding (2) & Advanced Guiding (3)) and proceed to STEP 4 first in order to complete the Refresher courses before taking the online tests.  If you are unable to take tests at our premises in Pretoria, a Supervisor would need to be appointed to oversee the process. Criteria for the selection and approval of such a person will be forwarded on request.


ASSESSMENT OF POE
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STEP 4: Complete Refresher course (Assessor to evaluate evidence in STEP 1-3 and to advice if it is required according to your online test results and/or answers to Self-Evaluation questions) or you might select to proceed with this option first (see STEP 3).
STEP 5: Complete any additional tasks/practical evidence that might be required (Assessor will advise according to Step 1-3 evaluation). You will be required to submit video evidence of the following (Checklist with criteria will be provided):
             > A 45-60 minute walking tour on a prominent cultural site (Basics of Guiding).
             > A 45-60 minute highlight / orientation city (driving) tour (Advanced Guiding).
STEP 6: Submit all documents and evidence (Portfolio of Evidence) and participate in structured interview (Skype interviews will be scheduled for candidates that are not able to visit our offices in Pretoria).
             >You would need to repeat STEP 5 should the assessor find that there are still outstanding requirements.  
             >If you are found competent, a Moderator would still need to verify the decision before you can be achieved on the Cathsseta database and receive a Declaration of Competence.  Kindly note that Cathsseta has set run times for printing batches of certificates and therefore this may take some time before you can collect it from our office / receive it by post (R100 charge applies).

If you are not found competent after completing the above process, you would need to do the courses in full at the normal prices.


RPL COST FOR FETC: TOURIST GUIDING NQF L4 (71549) AND ONE PROVINCE
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R3500-00 (20% discount for NFTGA members)
Includes: first province, workshops, electronic material, assessment, moderation, certification.  

ADDITIONAL PROVINCES  
R300 / Province (no discount*)
Includes: aaassessment, moderation, certification.  


*RPL and special rates for provincial courses will only be applicable if you can provide sufficient proof of previous guiding experience in the province - otherwise normal prices (as advertised on www.culturalguiding.com) will apply.


Terms and conditions apply
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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All resources are downloadable in electronic format.  (Resource CDs are available for collection or can be mailed at an additional cost of R100).

Excluded: Internet access, printed material, and first aid course, registration fees as a guide, postage or any other cost that you may incur in the process.  
RPL fee is not refundable.


DURATION
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You will be given 1 month to submit the evidence and participate in assessment after you have received feedback from the Assessor on outstanding evidence (based on diagnostic tests and self-evaluation).
In the event that you need to complete Refresher courses an additional 2 months will be applicable.
Should you fail to complete the above within the given time frame you would need to re-apply and pay an additional R750-00.  Maximum time that will be allowed: 6 months.  



INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE SELF-EVALUATION
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*Please take great care in completing it and answering in an honest way. The Assessor will conduct random questioning to verify your answers. You would also need to submit copies of relevant certificates and other documents to substantiate your answers.
The questions in different sections will automatically re-direct you to the next if it is not applicable to you.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you might have before proceeding with this application.
Makiti Guides & Tours 012 347 6001  Email: info@culturalguiding.com  SKYPE: makitigt  
or
visit our website at www.culturalguiding.com.

WELCOME TO THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING THE FETC: TOURIST GUIDING QUALIFICATION AND YOUR  CATHSSETA CERTIFICATE!

Good luck!

The MGT Culturalguiding Team