Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’

Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to

(a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.

(b) Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes.

(c) Reserving some skilled jobs to rural and urban poor in some public sector undertakings.

(d) Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.


Solution: (a) Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.


The ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ scheme — underway across construction sites in five states — to certify skills acquired by workers through traditional learning channels.

The project may be of particular relevance to a country where just 2 per cent of the workforce is certified as skilled.
Most deemed to be outside the skilled category in India are those who have typically picked up a skill while on the job, without any formal degree to back this up.
Option D is incorrect since it talks about trainees who are not fully skilled to get recognition of any prior learning.

Individuals with prior learning experience or skills will also be assessed and certified under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), but this isn’t applicable to trainees. So, D is incorrect.
The National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) is a competency-based framework that organizes all qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. These levels, graded from one to ten, are defined in terms of learning outcomes which the learner must possess regardless of whether they are obtained through formal, non-formal or informal learning. Specific outcomes expected from implementation of NSQF are –

· Mobility between vocational and general education by alignment of degrees with NSQF
· Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing transition from non-formal to organised job market.
· Standardised, consistent, nationally acceptable outcomes of training across the country through a national quality assurance framework.
· Global mobility of skilled workforce from India, through international equivalence of NSQF.
· Mapping of progression pathways within sectors and cross-sectorally.
· Approval of NOS/QPs as national standards for skill training.