FAQs

. . . in development.

. . . in development.

Use of PLAR is increasing across Canada, particularly in the public post-secondary educational system and its use in business and industry is growing in a wide range of sectoral groups. PLAR is used in many countries outside of Canada and is referred to by different titles as can be seen in the following:

In Canada & USA it is:

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLA/PLAR)

In Australia it is:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In Southern Ireland it:

Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

and in the United Kingdom it:

Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)

A challenge is a process in which people seek college or university credit for what they already know and can do. Challenge processes may include a performance or demonstration by a learner, structured interviews, product assessments, role-plays, simulations, presentations, oral exams, standardized tests and portfolio assessment. The important factor is the match of the learners' knowledge and skills and the learning outcomes of the course(s) for which they want credit. Look for specific information on challenge processes within the institution you wish to attend. In Ontario a person does not have to be enrolled in a college in order to challenge courses for credit.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), is a process that helps you reflect on, identify, organize and describe your significant learning. This can include skills and knowledge gained from all aspects of your life — work experience, travel, volunteer work, formal education, self study and so on.

As an adult learner, you might want to have your prior learning evaluated to see if you already know what is required to succeed in a course, qualify for a credential, or be recognized by an employer or a professional organization. For example, if you want to earn a professional certificate, you need to provide proof of what you know and what you can do that is directly related to the certificate. The professional organization then assesses your learning and tells you what courses or training you still need to qualify for the certificate. Or perhaps you might qualify for it already. Not all organizations recognize prior learning but more accept it all the time.

Click here for more detailed information about the PLAR process.

IQAS helps immigrants obtain recognition for the education they received in other countries. IQAS provides certificates of comparison between degrees, diplomas and certificates received in another country with Canadian degrees, diplomas and certificates.

IQAS certificates can be used by:

• People educated outside of Canada, to help them to get a job, join a professional licensing body or enrol at an educational institution.
• Employers who need to know if the education received in another country meets provincial standards.
• Educational institutions which need to know if a degree, diploma or certificate meets their entrance requirements.
• Professional licensing bodies that need to know if the education received in another country meets the standards set by their associations.

. . . in development.

A PLAR Practitioner is defined as "An individual who utilizes learner-focused activities to advise, and formatively or summatively assess an individual's prior learning either for academic credit or recognition of occupational and/or professional competence, and/or who assists in the development of the PLAR system" (CAPLA Benchmarking Study 2000). However, anyone who uses PLAR in their work, whether paid or volunteer, may practice PLAR as part of their job. In many instances an individual will not have PLAR listed as one of their job responsibilities, but will use the principles, process and resources to assist the in their roles. They may be employment or career counselors, education faculty or administrators, human resource people in business or industry, or supervisors or managers of an organization or institution. In short, anyone who makes use of PLAR becomes a PLAR Practitioner . . . or practices PLAR.

If you review the competencies listed under About PLAR Practitioners, you will see that the core competencies and many of those competencies identified for the role of Advisor, Assessor and Facilitator cross over to many positions in the workplace. This is why PLAR is important to a great many individuals and organizations.

The competency listing is a base document that is available for discussion and feedback by all those involved in the practices of PLAR.