Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is a key component of the current drive towards competence-based education and training. The author, in this edition, emphasizes that APL is part of the continuum of learning, not a stand-alone assessment service.APL - what's it all about?; the role of the professionals in developing APL; advising, mentoring and supporting; providing for groups; assessment and quality assurance; implementing APL; implications for staff development; NVQs - what they are and how they work; lessons learned.