OTTAWA, Dec. 9, 2015 /CNW/ – The Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) is working to help solve the problem that millions of Canadians and newcomers face daily – not having all their skills and competencies recognized by employers, certifying bodies and educational institutions. CAPLA’s new publication Quality Assurance for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Canada – THE MANUAL, is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide developed to help organizations and service providers reliably and effectively assess the skills and competencies of Canadians and experienced immigrants. The MANUAL was developed with funding from the Government of Canada and involved two years of research, consultations and review across the country.

“The CAPLA MANUAL is a significant resource in this process, as it provides standards for the way foreign qualifications and experiential learning are assessed and helps facilitate a highly credible and transparent process.” says Dr. Patrick J. Donahoe, Chair of the CAPLA Board of Directors.

The release of the MANUAL is timely, in light of the new 2015 Brain Gain report which the Conference Board of Canada will be rolling out in December. The report urges more investment in helping foreign-trained individuals and those with experience in the workforce integrate into Canada’s labour market and into academic institutions by acknowledging their prior learning. The financial gain to Canadians is reported to be in the billions of dollars.

“The process of recognizing prior learning can be challenging as it requires identifying, assessing and evaluating what someone knows and can do, based on their work and life experiences when applying for employment, promotion, academic credit, licensure and certification,” says Bonnie Kennedy, CAPLA Executive Director. “The MANUAL contains principles, checklists for reliable practice and serves as a guide to enhance advising and assessing activities among newcomers and experienced workers in many contexts. In particular, we know it will be helpful in assessing and recognizing the knowledge, skills and abilities of Syrian refugees.”

For more information on RPL and how to purchase the MANUAL, please visit: www.capla.ca.

About Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA)

The Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) has been the national voice for prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) since 1994. It has over 400 members from across Canada and abroad, including PLAR practitioners, occupational bodies, governments, academic institutions, training organizations, career counsellors, NGOs, settlement and integration organizations, industry councils, researchers, employers, labour and adult learners. CAPLA hosts yearly conferences and webinars, develops customized training, undertakes research and supports capacity building among stakeholders committed to more effective ways of recognizing formal, informal and non-formal learning. 

SOURCE Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA)