Having a formal, nationally recognised qualification can help propel your career in the culinary industry. For those of you who have work experience or informal training as a chef or any cookery professional, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the fastest option to turn your skills into a formal qualification. 

What is Recognition of Prior Learning? 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a learning pathway which acknowledges and assesses the skills and knowledge of an individual. If the learner is able to demonstrate the necessary skills, they can obtain the desired formal qualification. 

This is particularly beneficial for individuals who have spent several years mastering their skills. RPL helps you fast-track the process of obtaining a nationally recognised qualification, is time effective and opens up higher-paying career opportunities. You no longer have to complete the course from scratch to get on the path to the career you have always wanted. 

Let us explore how individuals can advance their career after the completion of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in cookery. 

Top Career Opportunities in Cookery After RPL 

At Frontier, we provide Recognition of Prior Learning for two courses in the Hospitality Sector: 

  • SIT30821 Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
  • SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management

If you have had any experience in a commercial kitchen, consider gaining a formal qualification as it can help you maximise your career prospects. Here is a list of career opportunities that you can explore once you have received your nationally recognised qualification: 

  • Chef De Partie: This is a professional role that helps you manage one portion of a commercial kitchen. With an RPL certification, you can easily secure this position that gives you the opportunity to oversee areas like sauces, grill stations or pastry based on your area of expertise. 
  • Head Chef: For anyone interested in pursuing a culinary career, this is a dream job. A head chef supervises all the operations in the kitchen and is responsible for key areas like menu development and maintaining the quality standards of the food and the kitchen. 
  • Sous Chef: The second-in-command in a commercial kitchen, the Sous Chef assists the head chef in kitchen management, menu planning and other operations that ensure smooth operation of the kitchen. 
  • Food and Beverage Manager: This is a role in the hospitality industry that includes supervising service and culinary processes in resorts, hotels and restaurants.
  • Catering Manager: Catering for large parties and events is a lucrative option for those interested in cooking. With a combination of your culinary skills and an RPL Certificate, you gain credibility to service large events including corporate functions, weddings and birthday parties. 
  • Entrepreneurial Venture: Having an RPL certificate gives you the necessary skills to understand the various demands of an entrepreneurial venture. Whether it is a food truck, cafe or restaurant, you need more than culinary skills to make your venture a success. This is just what you gain with a formal qualification. 
  • Cookery Trainer: If you love teaching, cookery classes – online or offline- is a great option for you. With a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, you can also enter the VET sector as a trainer in Registered Training Organisations, or teach cookery in schools, universities or community centres. 
  • Food Stylist or Photographer: Use your creativity to your advantage. With the increase in the number of restaurants and food-related businesses, the scope for food styling is higher than ever. If you also have photography skills, you can create a brand new, exciting career path for yourself. 

Why Choose RPL at Frontier? 

At Frontier, you learn with industry-experienced trainers who can also provide valuable insights on the various career opportunities that you can pursue after completing your RPL certificate. All you need to do is take a Free 60 second RPL Skills Check to assess your eligibility. Our courses are scheduled to ensure flexibility so that you can balance work and upskilling with ease. 

Fast-track your growth in the culinary industry with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Connect with a course advisor today.