Prior Learning Recognition & Competency Assessment

Putting your skills and knowledge to work

Employment of skilled immigrants and the commonality of career change are just two issues that make prior learning recognition and assessment of competency an increasingly important tool in the education system.

Assessment of prior learning and competency for particular skills and knowledge gives workers the opportunity to get credit for their accomplishments as they retrain or seek new credentials through Ontario’s public colleges. Both these tools help workers get back into the workforce quickly, in jobs they want and deserve.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition is a means of evaluating skills and knowledge acquired outside the classroom, through work experience, volunteering, life experience and many other avenues. The assessment results can be applied toward academic credit for those who are upgrading, retraining or pursuing education in Ontario’s colleges after being in the workforce.

Though there is no set PLAR standard in Ontario, many colleges develop their own prior learning process, which will help workers who are already knowledgeable in their fields avoid relearning what they already know. Assessments are often conducted through interviews, demonstrations and testing, as well as through evaluation of a PLAR portfolio, which is a collection of documents or items that show recognition for skills and knowledge.

Competency Assessment

Working with Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition as a backdrop, Colleges Integrating Immigrants to Employment is working to develop a standard in International Credential Recognition that will help skilled immigrants secure positions in their fields quickly and efficiently under Canadian regulations.

The program will differ from current PLAR processes in that it will assess skills and knowledge based on program learning outcomes, rather than assessing learning course to course. Also, while the outcomes of competency assessment can be applied toward academic standing, they may also result in entry to the professional organization or regulatory body.

The competency assessment tools and guidelines developed by CIITE will help assess credentials before candidates enroll in college programs, and will create a measurable baseline all colleges can use when assessing prior learning and credentials.

Competency Assessment Pilots

Currently, CIITE is conducting two competency assessment pilots through select Ontario colleges, in the areas of Mechanical Engineering Technologist (Design) and Respiratory Therapy. These pilots are designed to help internationally trained professionals gain recognition for their skills and knowledge in order to practice in Canada.

Participants in these pilots play a vital role in developing a process to recognize the skills and experience of internationally trained immigrants.

For more information on these pilots and to see which colleges are participating, view the documents below.

Respiratory Therapy Competency Assessment Pilot

Mechanical Engineering Technologist (Design) Competency Assessment Pilot