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THE VALUE OF PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT
ABET and learner ships have become the latest addition to skills priorities in many industries. The question is where to start.
Placement assessments, especially in the fundamental learning areas, are the most sensible starting point, because they:
- Identify gaps in the learner's current knowledge and skills that may require a learning intervention - i.e. development, revision, etc.
- Determine where learning interventions should be pitched to embrace and support the learner and set him up for success.
- Assist in the planning for the leaning - i.e. timetable, sequence of learning, etc.
A few of the reasons for doing placement assessment, even when a candidate has a Gr.12 certificate, are:
- If the candidate went to school 10 years ago, he may have regressed or progressed in the fundamentals (think of how well you would do if you were to write a Gr.10, 11 or 12exam now!)
- Some candidates did not complete the required learning areas at Gr. 12 level - e.g. mathematics.
- Many candidates are English second language users, in which case a skills gap in communication will result in them struggling through the theory of the learning programme.
Organisations are often stunned by the results of a placement assessment. It is essential to understand that the placement assessment is not a disparaging instrument, but rather one that identifies the areas of development required and also suggests the most sensible pathway to support the learner. It is really a snapshot of skills. For that reason, results have a lifetime of no longer than six months.
A good placement assessment will place the learners into four primary groups:
- D-Learners who have no foundation to build on and who will require development from foundation level.
- B-Learners who have the foundation in place, but have regressed, because skills have fallen into disuse.
- Q-Learners who have sufficient skills to start at the level of the qualification.
- RPL Learners who are above the level of the qualification in the specific area and who should complete an RPL assessment. In terms of the SAQA regulations, learners may request a re-assessment of re-mark should their opinions and self-assessment differ radically from the result of these assessments. As part of a quality assurance system, all assessments (including placement assessments) should be sent for external moderation.
- HR Future 2004
