RPL in 2025: Outcomes, Reflections & Next Steps

On Monday, 17th February 2025, leaders in higher education, policy makers, and industry representatives will gather at The Alex Hotel, Dublin 2, for ‘RPL in 2025: Outcomes, Reflections & Next Steps’, an event to showcase and discuss the progress and future of Recognition of Prior Learning in higher education.

Supported by funding from the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 3 (Innovation & Agility) of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and co-sponsored by the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the National RPL project has achieved remarkable milestones in expanding access to RPL across the country. Since its inception, the project has significantly advanced Ireland’s commitment to lifelong learning, creating new pathways for individuals to have their prior learning and skills formally recognised within higher education.

Key Achievements to Date:

• Enhanced RPL Access: By 2025, an estimated 15,000 learners will have gained access to higher education programs through RPL.
• Pilot Policy Framework for RPL: A policy framework has been established to standardise RPL across institutions, setting a benchmark for best practices.
• Upskilling of Staff: Over 300 staff members across higher education institutions have been trained to effectively support RPL processes, enhancing the learner experience.
• Systems Integration: Significant progress has been made in integrating RPL with Banner, facilitating more streamlined and accessible processes for learners and staff alike.
   

The event is structured around three central themes:

1. Outcomes – A detailed look at what the National RPL Project has achieved collectively and individually, contextualized within Ireland's lifelong learning and skills development landscape.
2. Reflections – An opportunity for attendees to reflect on the lessons learned throughout the project, from policy formation to enterprise engagement, and how these insights can inform future practices.
3. Next Steps – A collaborative discussion on the future of RPL in Ireland, identifying the strategies and resources needed to further embed RPL as an accessible, permanent feature across the higher education sector.
    

Attendees will include project partners, learners, thought leaders, enterprise representatives, practitioners, and policy makers, all working together to shape the future of RPL. The event will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions that explore the project’s transformative impact and envision what lies ahead for RPL in Ireland.