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Roundtable on Prior Learning Assessment and
Qualifications Recognition for Immigrants in BC
presented by
The Looking Ahead Initiative in conjunction with
The Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology
March 6, 2002

Highlighted Contributions

• Halifax Declaration for the Recognition of Prior Learning 2001
  http://www.placentre.ns.ca/conference/eConf_page6.html

  All Canadians and immigrants to Canada know that their knowledge, skills and abilities are important within the community and at work. They provide the cornerstone for economic and social prosperity. Canada must demonstrate its commitment to lifelong learning through rigorous and enthusiastic practices that support the recognition of all learning. The Recognizing Learning Conference is Canada’s way of saying all learning counts, regardless of where it has been acquired

   

• International Credential Evaluation Service
  http://www.ola.bc.ca/ices

  Using well-established evaluation methodologies, ICES evaluates the credentials of people who have studied in other provinces or countries and determines comparable levels in British Columbia and Canadian terms. The results of an ICES assessment are provided in evaluation reports that are objective, consistent, and reliable.

   

• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
  http://www.cicic.ca/

  The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) collects, organizes, and distributes information, and acts as a national clearing house and referral service to support the recognition and portability of Canadian and international educational and occupational qualifications.

   

• Canadian Alliance of Credential Evaluation
  http://www.canalliance.org/

  The Alliance ensures that individuals have access to fair and credible credential assessment services. Members of the Alliance follow principles of good practice that are consistent with international standards.

   

• Canada's Innovation Strategy "Achieving Excellence"
  http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca/cmb/innovation.nsf/MenuE/Menu-e

  Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity recognizes the need to consider knowledge as a strategic national asset. It focuses on how to strengthen our science and research capacity and on how to ensure that this knowledge contributes to building an innovative economy that benefits all Canadians.

   

• Canada's Innovation Strategy: Knowledge Matters - Skills and Learning for Canadians"
  http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/stratpol/sl-ca/home.shtml
  http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/stratpol/sl-ca/doc/knowledge.pdf

  Skills and Learning for Canadians is an invitation from the Government of Canada to provincial and territorial governments, key stakeholders, and all interested Canadians to participate in a national dialogue on what Canada needs to do to respond to the challenges of the knowledge-based economy.

   

• BC Council on Admissions & Transfer
  http://www.bccat.bc.ca/bccat/index.htm

  The mandate of the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT*) is to facilitate admission, articulation and transfer arrangements among the colleges, university colleges, institutes, the. Open Learning Agency, and the universities within B.C. Specifically, the Council encourages the post-secondary institutions to develop policies that facilitate transferability of post-secondary credit courses so that credit can be applied toward baccalaureate degrees in all degree-granting institutions.

   

• The Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology
  http://www.c2t2.ca

  The Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology (C2T2) promotes excellence in post-secondary education and training by supporting educators so learners will have access to high quality, relevant learning opportunities. It works cooperatively with our partners throughout the post-secondary education system to promote and facilitate the sharing of good practice. C2T2 assists individuals and institutions to create innovations in teaching, learning and assessment and develop flexible opportunities for lifelong learning.

   

• Industry Technology Association of Canada
  http://www.itac.ca

  ITAC is the voice of the Canadian information technology industry. Together with its partner organizations across the country, the association represents 1300 companies in the computing and telecommunications hardware, software, services, and electronic content sectors. This network of companies accounts for more than 70% of the 542,000 jobs, $132.6 billion in revenue, $5.3 billion in R&D expenditure and $44 billion in exports that IT contributes annually to the Canadian economy.

   

• Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission
  http://www.itac.gov.bc.ca

  As a result of the government's Core Services Review of ITAC, which included stakeholder consultation and research into how other jurisdictions deliver industry training and apprenticeship programs, the government has decided to phase out ITAC and implement a new approach to industry training and apprenticeship for British Columbia.

  The new industry training and apprenticeship model will result in a more streamlined training system that is more flexible, efficient and responsive to industry needs.

Prior Learning Assessment and
Qualification Recognition

• Prior Learning Assessment Centre
  http://www.placentre.ns.ca

  PLA believes that all such learning that can be identified, described and documented, deserves to be recognized. PLA services and programs help individuals, organizations and communities to pull together a comprehensive and systematic inventory of what they know and can do. These lifelong learning inventories — and the confidence to tackle new learning opportunities and challenges — are essential assets in our constantly changing economic and social circumstances.

Bridging Programs

• Working for Labour Market Integration of Immigrants
  http://www.lookingahead.bc.ca

  A multi-sectoral initiative dedicated to improving the labour market integration of immigrants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley of British Columbia.

  Their website is intended to be a one-stop resource centre for people working in the field of labor market integration of immigrants, such as policy makers, service providers, trainers and employers. For immigrants who are looking for employment information, the Directory and Links sections contain links to websites with job listings and other services to help find work.

   

• Immigrant Services Society of BC
  http://www.issbc.org

  ISS is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to identifying the needs of immigrants and refugees and to developing and delivering effective, quality programs and services which meet those needs.

   

• MOSAIC
  http://www.mosaicbc.com

  Mosaic is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. Since its inception in 1976, MOSAIC has assisted new immigrants and refugees through its numerous multilingual services. MOSAIC's programs and services are constantly evolving and developing in response to the needs of the community.

   

• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
  http://www.success.bc.ca

  A non-profit social service agency involved in building bridges and assisting immigrants to overcome language and cultural barriers and to become participating and contributing members of the community. Provides settlement programs, counselling, language training, employment training, and small business development and training.

Immigrants: Table of Contents