"The Recognition of Prior Learning process is extremely important for the country because it will help increase the opportunities for employability in the formal job market."

1. What is your role in the implementation of the RPL in Mozambique?

I am a consultant of the RPL System in ANEP and Facilitator in the RPL implementation process. I am also a focal point of ANEP with various institutions linked to the process of Recognition of Acquired Skills in Mozambique, in particular Swisscontact, funder of this process since 2019.

2. What was the process of implementing the RPL like?

The implementation of the RPL System is still ongoing, the pilot phase was carried out from March to November 2021. The expected results were achieved: the certification of 25 candidates – 11 of Plumbers, 07 welders and 07 electricians. However, there were some constraints: for example, some of the candidates who registered for the assessment didn’t meet our requirements. Another challenge was the interruptions in the evaluation process due to COVID-19 prevention measures and the fact that some candidates withdrew from the process for work-related reasons. Due to these difficulties, there was a significant reduction in the number of certificates in relation to the number of enrolled candidates.  

With the pilot phase, we were able to test the courses and modules and assess their suitability for the evaluation process. This process enabled us to draw up methodological guidelines for the implementation of the RPL in the country, a guide containing all the steps for implementing the RPL system, determine the period required for the evaluation process, how many work sections are needed from the mobilisation and awareness-raising process to the certification process.  

3. How would you describe your experience of this process?

Participating in this process was a good learning experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning process is extremely important for the country and its citizens because it will help to increase the opportunities for employability in the formal job market, particularly for those individuals who, for various reasons, have not had the opportunity to go through formal training. Giving them the opportunity to have certificates, to compete for job vacancies and to continue with their studies if they want to.

4. Can you indicate the most relevant and challenging aspects of your role at this stage of the implementation of the RPL?

This process is challenging because it requires investment, more trainers are needed who are specialised in this area of RPL evaluation in order to make the evaluation process more flexible in vocational training centres. It is important to raise awareness and mobilise society so that it can really understand what RPL is, how the evaluation process is carried out, as well as its importance for the country, in particular for service providers and productive sectors for the recognition of certified workers as competent and equal to those who have undergone formal training in a vocational training centre.

The Skills to Build project is financed by Happel Foundation, among other donors. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.