How We Undertake Training (RPL & Gap)

Training for students in the RPL and Gap pathway is self-directed online for theory only.

Theory Training

Training for students taking the RPL & Gap training pathway is self-directed online, but supported with engaging learner resources, regular webinars and Q&A sessions, 1:1 tutoring on request, and support from our training team when required.

The following training and resources are provided for each Unit of Competency:

• Audio lecture (available as a podcast feed)^
• Sigma Digital Learner Guide / PDF Learning Materials
• Toolbox 60 webinars (students can attend fortnightly online)
• Live Q&A sessions (students can attend fortnightly online)
• Quarterly check-in
• Tutoring sessions (on request)

Note: Practical training is not offered for this delivery mode. This pathway is designed for engineers with existing experience and supporting aviation industry-standard documentation (e.g. Journal of Industrial Experience, task cards). Students are expected to provide evidence of practical competency, which is assessed via RPL in line with SAC’s Acceptable Practical Evidence Guidelines.

Where practical training is requested, this may be arranged on a fee-for-service basis for groups, either onsite at SAC facilities or offsite at an approved AMO/MRO facility.

^Audiobook rollout in-progress - not all units will include an audiobook at time of enrolment

How We Undertake Assessment (RPL & Gap)

Sigma Aerospace College operates a four-stage RPL & Gap assessment process following successful application and onboarding.

Assessment Phase 1 – Gap Analysis

Once the onboarding process is complete and initial documentation has been provided, SAC undertakes an assessment of prior learning, applicable credit transfer, and any identified knowledge gaps.

At this stage, an invoice is issued for tuition fees (the course fee listed on the website, less any approved credit transfer). Once payment is received:

• The customised learning environment is unlocked
• An initial RPL report (as required by CASA) is issued

This invoice covers all tuition fees, training materials, and any applicable CASA exams.

Assessment Phase 2 – Gap Assessment (Theory) and RPL Evidence Collection (Practical)

Once the customised learning environment is unlocked in the learning management system (aXcelerate), students are presented with:

• Knowledge gap assessments for Units of Competency not granted in full during Phase 1 via RPL or credit transfer
• Practical evidence upload assessments for outstanding Units of Competency

Submitted practical evidence is assessed via RPL against Unit of Competency performance evidence requirements.

Assessment Phase 3 – Competency Conversation

Following completion of gap assessments and submission of sufficient practical evidence (as defined in the Acceptable Practical Evidence Guide), students undertake a clustered competency conversation with an instructor.

• Format: one-on-one discussion
• Duration: approximately 30–60 minutes
• Purpose: final verification of competency

Assessment Phase 4 – CASA Exams

For training products with a CASA outcome, the final stage involves preparation for and completion of invigilated CASA examinations. An administrator will contact the student at the conclusion of Phase 3 to arrange suitable exam times.

Note: Students may apply for recognition of prior learning for any existing practical experience at any time, as long as at the time of Sigma's assessment of that evidence as prior learning (i.e. when uploaded to the relevant capture in the LMS) the evidence meets the terms in the acceptable practical evidence guide, is authentic, sufficient, and meets unit requirements.

Age

• Minimum age 18 years at commencement of course

Education

• Australian High School Year 11 completion with a pass in English and maths; or
• Completion of a formal Language literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment tool at ACSF Level 3

Employment and Evidence

• Candidate must be working in an aircraft maintenance environment on operating aircraft AND
• Candidate must be able to present valid evidence (as specified in the Acceptable Practical Evidence Guide) of completion of practical tasks undertaken by the candidate prior to our assessment of that evidence (see the Unit of Competency table for links to full requirements of each unit of competency >). Once provided by the candidate and authenticated as valid by SAC, the college will use this evidence as part of a portfolio of evidence to build a case for competence via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)) and Gap Training.

Experience

• Two years of aircraft maintenance experience OR
• Two years of aircraft maintenance training at a regulator-approved Maintenance training organisation

Computing

• Desktop or Laptop computer with webcam and speaker, and modern web browser, PDF viewer, and standards-compatible office suite software
• Reliable broadband internet connection
• An active email address
• Intermediate computing skills, including knowledge of how to use internet to access information.

Residency

• Students must not be on an Australian 500 class student visa, and subject to its terms.