Registered persons often ask SACAP why must other persons enroll at Architectural Learning Sites/Educational Institutions and study architecture for many years when other persons can simply register with SACAP through prior learning experience. On that account, they argue that this can discourage persons to study architecture and it is also unfair for those who studied for so many years and invested in formal education. This article is meant to clarify these concerns and assure the profession that these processes do not in any way compromise the standard and quality in the profession.
At SACAP, RPL allows registered professionals who have acquired non-formal and informal learning through job training, and work-based experience to be assessed for registration to a higher professional category of registration. The work-based experience includes knowledge and skills acquired through unplanned or unstructured practical training in architectural practices.
Perhaps it is important to take notice that RPL is not new to the architectural profession. Under the Architects Act 35 of 1970, the Council had the authority to register a person who was engaged in the performance of work of an architectural nature for a period of not less than twenty-five years and has satisfied the Council that he or she has adequate knowledge.
This practice of recognising work-based experience in the architectural profession continues under the Architectural Profession Act 44 of 2000. The Council has authority to register a person presenting evidence of prior learning in architecture. Prior learning is defined as previous learning and experience of a learner, howsoever obtained, against the learning outcomes required for a specified qualification and the acceptance for the purposes of qualification of that which meets those requirements.
RPL, SC and LSD are premised on the long-established practice of recognizing prior learning in architecture. The end goal is to recognise skills and competencies gained through work-based experience in the architectural profession.
RPL is more distinct because it provides a registered professional with an opportunity to articulate to higher category of professional registration. While the SC assesses previously acquired skills and knowledge, with the intention to allow a registered professional to perform types of building beyond the category of registration. Once the SC is granted, it is perpetual.
The LSD is an exemption and it is available for a prescribed period. The LSD is available to registered professionals with extensive experience in the architectural profession. It is an exemption to perform architectural work beyond the category of registration of the registered professional. Once the exemption is granted, it is perpetual.
The RPL and SC will be perpetually available for registered professionals with prior learning in architecture. The RPL and SC assessments are outcome-based methodology and they are undertaken in accordance with the SACAP 10 Competencies which are aligned to the relevant National Qualification Framework as per the Higher Education Qualification Framework. Each competency is broadly weighed to correlate with the credits in the curriculum of a typical accredited program in architecture
SACAP has put together highly competent panels to assess work-based experience in architecture and determine whether the applicant’s experience is aligned to the SACAP 10 competencies. The process is fair and objective. We encourage all registered professionals who are eligible to apply.
On 31 October 2022, the LSD will no longer be available, our clarion call is to all registered professionals with extensive experience in architecture to submit applications.
