Recognition of Prior Learning in focus

15 September 2021

If you are currently an Assistant Agent and have more than 12 months’ experience, you need to upgrade to your Real Estate Licence by completing a Certificate IV qualification. Here’s how the REINSW Recognition of Prior Learning program can make this transition easy.

Since the introduction of landmark industry reforms in March 2020, it is no longer an option to hold a Certificate of Registration for your entire career. All agents are now required to complete a Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate) (CPP41419) and transition to your Real Estate Licence within a defined timeframe. If you don’t, you’ll lose your Certificate and be excluded from the industry for 12 months.

While the prospect of obtaining a higher qualification may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be – particularly if you undertake the REINSW Recognition of Prior Learning program.

Recognising your experience

Shula Kentwell, REINSW Head of Training, explained that the Institute has a flexible approach to helping you to upgrade to your Real Estate Licence.

“We strongly believe that you shouldn’t have to spend time re-learning things you already know,” she said. “If you already have experience in real estate, it can be recognised via our Recognition of Prior Learning program to help you gain your Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate).

“By documenting your skills and knowledge, and providing evidence of the experience you’ve gained throughout your career, you can potentially reduce the amount of training you need to undertake to attain your qualification and apply for a Real Estate Licence.”

“By documenting your skills and knowledge, and providing evidence of the experience you’ve gained throughout your career, you can potentially reduce the amount of training you need to undertake to attain your qualification and apply for a Real Estate Licence.” – Shula Kentwell, REINSW Head of Training

Simple and straightforward

Ashleigh Fossey, a former Sales Associate with Red Property in Manly, recently completed the Recognition of Prior Learning program to transition to her Class 2 Real Estate Licence.

“There are a lot of other providers in the market, but REINSW was the obvious choice for me,” she said. “I had previously completed CPD training with REINSW and the standard was always exceptional. I knew that it would be no different with RPL.

“Right from the start, it was so simple and straightforward. Janet Morrison, a Training Assessor at REINSW, worked with me from the very beginning. She guided me through the process, step by step. After gathering and submitting my evidence, we discussed my skills and experience, and role-played a range of scenarios.”

Following this process, Ashleigh received recognition for all but two units of competency.

“The workbooks and extra materials for these units were fantastic,” she said. “And Janet was always just a phone call away if I had questions or needed to talk something through. The support I received was nothing short of outstanding.”

Working as a group

Liz Willis from NSW Real Estate in Coffs Harbour agreed that the support their team received from REINSW when undertaking the Recognition of Prior Learning program was outstanding.

“Nine agents from our agency undertook RPL as a group,” she explained. “We were able to come together via Zoom with the trainer and work our way through the process. This was a great way to do it and was far less intrusive than having to attend face-to-face sessions.

“Coming together as a group, rather than doing it as individuals, meant we could work our way through scenarios, talk about issues and brainstorm. It made a huge difference, and the process easy and fun.

“Because we were doing RPL as a group, we decided to appoint a single person to collect all our questions and send them through, so our Training Assessor, Janet Morrison, wasn’t being bombarded by all nine of us. And Janet was incredibly responsive; we never waited more than a day for answers and guidance from her.”

From start to finish, it took the NSW Real Estate team less than two months to complete the program and gain their qualification.

“I honestly can’t fault the program and would highly recommend it,” Liz said. “Choosing REINSW as our provider for RPL was an easy choice. As the peak industry body, the Institute was always going to be our first choice for professionalism, quality course content and in-depth knowledge.”

If you would like to discuss Recognition of Prior Learning, please call the REINSW Training team on (02) 9264 2343 or email [email protected]