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Athabasca University hosts a rich resource of PLAR resources including:

• A virtual portfolio
• PLAR document templates
• How-to guides including a PLAR Handbook

Click here to visit the site

The Essential Skills Product Suite is a suite of tools to be used for assessing specific essential skills required for success in each of 50 trades. The tools for 50 unique trades identify essential skills gaps, and link to training resources and activities to achieve the required skills. This initiative will initially serve a number of targeted stakeholder communities including recent immigrants/internationally-trained workers, Aboriginal people, women, and other adults who have been out of the workforce for some time. This is a Labour Market Agreement-funded initiative, sponsored by the government of Canada.

Watch Jessi Zielke (ITA) present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

This initiative was designed to assist individuals working without certification as unit clerks in BC hospitals, providing them with the opportunity to gain certification through a portfolio development process documenting their skills and knowledge in the field. This initiative won a UFV Outstanding Initiative award in 2002. Currently, UFV Continuing Studies is now working in collaboration with hospital partners in the Okanagan to implement a similar recognition of learning program for hospital employees.

Watch Cheryl Isaac (UFV) present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

A workplace learning recognition project. Students receive credit towards TRU-OL Business programs for Safeway leadership training program. The presentation will highlight the TRU—OL process for reaching these agreements and provide information for self-assessment for organizations wishing to have in-house training recognized for academic credit.

Watch Christine Wihak (TRU) and Arlette La Freniere (Safeway) present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

Internationally educated nurses (IENs) may be required to undergo a competency assessment process for nursing licensure eligibility in BC. The competency assessment known as the Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) assessment is available in the four western provinces in Canada in a bid to aid settlement of IENs in Canada. To assess professional knowledge, skills and abilities, candidates may be required to undertake examinations and practical application in the following areas: general nursing, maternal newborn health nursing, child health nursing, and mental health nursing.

Watch Lori Shortridge (Kwantlen) and Lynn Cairns (College of Registered Nurses of BC) present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

Simon Fraser University’s Liberal and Business Studies (LBS) Program is a three-year degree completion program designed for working adults. By recognizing — and indirectly crediting — workplace learning along with other formal or informal post-secondary education, the LBS program can help you achieve your professional and personal goals of a university degree while maintaining full-time life responsibilities.

Watch Ruth Price (SFU) present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

Hospitality employees enter third year of baccalaureate program designed for leaders in the hospitality industry. Partnership has repositioned the role of education and training and fundamentally transformed the role of education and training in the hospitality industry.

Watch Ken Cretney, General Manager of the Vancouver Convention Centre with Sally Gibson of Vancouver Community College present at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

The Multiple Assessment Pathways (MAP) project is a three-phase research and development initiative of the Industry Training Authority to identify best practices in assessment and supporting standards frameworks to inform the design and piloting of alternative methodologies for assessing challengers seeking certification in a trade.

Assessment approaches are linked to occupational performance standards. Authentic assessments using a variety of methodologies appropriate to the occupation and the circumstances of the individual being assessed. Partners in this initiative include Propel, TransCDA, and the Canadian Council of directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA).

View the full report from ITA’s website here: http://www.itabc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=250

Watch Sandy Steward (Industry Training Authority) present the MAP project at BCPLAN SUMMIT 2010.

The Transferable Trades Skills website is a rich resource which includes:

Build a trades portfolio of prior learning
Identify skill gaps required to achieve trades certification
Investigate trades and sector standards
Full colour skill charts created from National and Provincial apprenticeship standards
75 trades occupational profiles, 15 industry sectors and over 7000 individual skills cataloged
All information is securely and conveniently stored on our web based server, accessible to you from any location
Tested and approved by trades experts as an effective employment assistance tool
Essential skills component being tested in Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island (To be released spring 2006)

Click here to visit the site

CAPLA’s online community of practice is dedicated to prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR).  If you want to find out about PLAR and PLAR services or if you are preparing to have your learning assessed, this community can help you. If you are interested in the practice of PLAR or research into PLAR, the site provides opportunities to share information with colleagues, extend PLAR knowledge, network and develop expertise.

Click here to visit CAPLA’s Recognition for Learning site