Quality Assurance for the

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Canada

Promoting RPL and enhancing quality practice

Bonnie Kennedy, Executive Director The Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA)

November 24, 2015

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Expected Outcomes At the end of this session you will be able to:

• Identify CAPLA’s interest in RPL/PLAR

• Contemplate RPL trends in Canada

• Reflect on the components in CAPLA’s RPL Quality Assurance Manual

• Consider implications for your practice

• Win a copy of the manual if your number is called

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About CAPLA Began in 1994, incorporated not-for profit, Canada’s only PLAR membership organization, an elected Board of Directors

Advocate for formal recognition of knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through work and life experience; support for those seeking recognition for their prior learning

Provide professional development opportunities (webinars, yearly conferences, training), create working groups, Strategic Advisory Panel for the Recognition of Prior Learning

Partner with a range of stakeholders to bring about change

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conferenceboard.ca

Brain Gain 2015: The State of Canada’s

Learning Recognition System

Dr. Michael Bloom

Vice President, Industry and Business Strategy

The Conference Board of Canada

CAPLA - 2015 Recognizing Learning Conference Toronto, Ontario, October 22, 2015

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In 2015, Brain Gain = Financial Gain.

• $ 13.4 – 17.0 billion in annual income

would be gained by Canadians if

Canada’s learning recognition gap was

eliminated.

• 844,000 + Canadians stand to benefit

• $ 16 – 20,000 ave. annual personal gain

• Calculating multiplier effect would

increase the figures - due to spin-offs of

spending increases from more income.

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Three Groups Would Gain the Most.

• Immigrants/international credential

holders - 525,000

• Prior learners/experiential learners -

People with prior learning gained

through work and training - 120,000

• Inter-provincial transferees in

licensed occupations & transferees

between PSE institutions - 200,000

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Options for Action – Immigration Strategies

• Modify immigration processes to include

learning recognition services in selection and

settlement systems.

• Align immigration and workforce

development policies.

• Extend Canadian PSE curriculum, pedagogy

and programs into immigration source

countries.

• Improve institutional links internationally

Overview of CAPLA’s RPL Quality Assurance Project

PURPOSE TIMELINE FUNDING COMMITTEES

QA

Manual based on pan-Canadian Quality Assurance Guidelines for

Recognition of Prior Learning to:

Contribute to

Organizational

Effectiveness

Promote

Labour Force

Development

Enhance the Quality of

RPL Practices 1 2 3

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Overview of CAPLA’s RPL Quality Assurance Project

A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J

2013 2014 2015 2016

1 2 3

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RESEARCH & STAKEHOLDER

ENGAGEMENT

QA MANUAL DEVELOPMENT

QA MANUAL VALIDATION &

PRODUCTION Establish Project Advisory Committees

Develop Guiding Principles

‘Mapping’ of National & International

Guidelines

Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Finalize Work Plan

Iterative Drafts

Extensive Consultation

FOCUS GROUP

SESSIONS WEBINAR SESSIONS ONLINE SURVEYS WEB INFO

& TOOLS

LAUNCH

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1. Introduction 2. QA and RPL Systems and Services

o Pan Canadian Guiding Principles for Quality RPL Practice in Canada o Six (6) Steps for Quality RPL

3. Capacity Building: RPL Integration and Collaborative Partnerships

4. Assessment: Methods, Tools and Processes o RPL Quality Assurance Self-Audit Checklists

5. Next Steps 6. Appendices

Quality Assurance for the Recognition of Prior Learning in Canada: The Manual

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The Manual - Other Key Features Illustrative case studies

• Based on real-life stories • Reflect different contexts • Focus on elements of quality practice

Self-Audit Checklists

Different perspective examples • Individuals • Institutions/organizations • Employers • And more. . .

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The Manual 1. Introduction

• Definition of RPL • Purpose of The Manual • Users of The Manual • Organization of The Manual • Canadian Imperative for RPL • Benefits of Using RPL

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The Manual

• Guiding Principles for Quality RPL Practice in Canada

• 6 Steps for Quality RPL

2. QA and RPL Systems and Services

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The Manual

oAccessible oConsistent oFair oRespectful oValid

oFlexible oRigorous oTransparent oProfessionally

Supported

Guiding Principles for Quality RPL Practice in Canada

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The Manual

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• Organizational development • Linking RPL to mission and values of organization • Communication • Partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders • Importance of RPL training and development –

advising, assessing and administrating

The Manual 3. Capacity Building - RPL Integration and

Collaborative Relationships

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Uses: Formative and summative

Assessment Criteria: Learning outcomes, occupational standards, competencies

Assessment Tools - examples • Self-assessment

• Observation/demonstration

• Interviews/oral assessments

• Evidence collection

• Portfolio

• Written examinations

• Credential or qualification evaluation

Assessment and accountability

The Manual 4. Assessment - Methods, Tools and Processes

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RPL Quality Assurance Self-Audit Checklists Auditing Your Program or Services

RPL QA Self-Audit Checklists

• RPL QA Guiding Principles Self-Audit Checklist

• 6 Steps for Quality RPL Self-Audit Checklist

• Quality RPL Systems Self-Audit Checklist

• RPL Quality Procedures Self-Audit Checklist

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The Manual

5. Appendices

6. Next Steps (Glossary, other appendices including RPL Self-Audit Checklists and resources)

What are your thoughts about potential uses of the Manual? How can CAPLA help?

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“It is often necessary to make a decision on the basis of knowledge sufficient for action but insufficient to satisfy the intellect.”

Immanual Kant

For more information call 613-860-1747 or email b.kennedy@quicklinks.on.ca

www.capla.ca

www.capla.ca/quality-assurance

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