RPL in Nova Scotia: Here to Stay Issue 4, July 2026 |
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Welcome!
Summer is here—it goes so quickly! We hope you'll take a few minutes to read this fourth issue of RPL in Nova Scotia: Here to Stay. Here's some of what you'll find:
In our RPL Spotlight, Paula Romanow explores RPL as a philosophy, not just a process. Our Learner Story features Melissa Castonguay, a Family Home Consultant (ECE), who reflects on how RPL helped her recognize her strengths and value her learning. We also celebrate an important milestone as NSCDA Registrar Lindsay Guitard highlights Career Certification's achievement of ISO 9001:2015 certification.
You'll find coverage of The Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA)'s International Day of Recognition, along with an introduction to a new Impact Evaluation Framework for RPL—a collaborative initiative between the Coady Institute and NSCDA. Also featured is an article by Darlene Porter, who explores the value of narrative career practice. You'll also find the usual resource section, with updates and information about RPL activities.
Thank you for being part of the RPL community. We hope you enjoy this issue and encourage you to share it with your networks. |
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Interested in Contributing? |
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We welcome newsletter contributions from across the RPL community. You might consider highlighting a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) project, sharing your ideas, insights, or suggestions, or showcasing an inspiring learner success story. If you would like to contribute or explore an idea, please reach out to either:
Teresa Francis - tfrancis@nscda.ca OR
Lisa Strong - lstrong@nscda.ca |
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RPL Spotlight: Paula Romanow PhD
"All Roads Lead to RPL" |
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Or should that be that RPL leads to all roads? It’s a question I’ve been pondering over the last few years as I move into the “contemplation” part of my life. We tend to think so much about the employment or educational applications of our life experiences. But to me it seems that RPL, if we are truly lifelong/lifewide learners, applies to much more than that. As I have often said, to me the concept of Recognition, especially of Prior Learning, is more a philosophy, a paradigm, than simply a framework for assessment.
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It might be said that in many ways, I am the poster child for RPL and the concept of transferable skills, having had a rather eclectic career over the last 45 years. I have meandered through work in the media as a television news and documentary producer/director, freelance writer and journalist, as well as a military public affairs officer, and entrepreneur. In the 1990s I became active in community-based education and rural community development, teaching at the community college and university levels. After a few years working as an itinerant researcher (“have research skills will travel”) while attending graduate school, I joined the NS Career Development Association (NSCDA) in 2013, eventually becoming executive director, and finally wound up as Manager Research and Evaluation, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University.
What’s the point of giving you my chequered employment history? Well, two things: 1) it shows how even what don’t appear to be remotely similar jobs still have a continuous link between them (in this case, communications, and asset-based approaches to community development), and 2) how being a lifelong learner in both formal and informal ways, can, when the knowledge gleaned along the way is recognized, make making a living more about making a life. More than one person has looked at my CV and wondered “what the heck?” But just as many have recognized how the threads of each of these roles weave together to form the cloak of skillsets I have to offer.
In the last few years, there is an increasing emphasis on the Recognition part of RPL. To me this is the mark of a maturing paradigm – it moves it from the lower levels of Maslow’s pyramid of what we need in order to survive to the upper tiers towards self-actualization. Because the one thing we should never lose sight of among the frameworks and theories and assessment tools is the client, the job seeker, the learner – the person who whether they know it or not, must be recognized as that lifelong / lifewide learner in all facets of their being.
Paula recently retired from the Coady Institute and is now running her consultancy Bramblefield Research and Consulting, full time
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paula-romanow-1a896432/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bramblefield-research-consulting/?viewAsMember=true |
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CAPLA International Day of Recognition On June 9th, 2026, the Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) hosted the first International Day of Recognition, bringing together RPL practitioners and learners from around the world! It was an engaging, collaborative and joyous day, with 40 presentations delivered virtually over a 6-hour period (no easy feat!!). |
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A few highlights: - 158 participants.
- Representation from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
- Participants from not-for-profits, government, higher education, professional associations, and consultants.
- Average participation (per participant) - 3 hours
The NSCDA was proud to contribute to this inaugural event; we look forward to being there as it continues to grow! Congratulations and thank you to our colleagues and friends at CAPLA, whose many many hours of work paid off with this wonderful day of celebrating all forms of Recognition. |
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Learner Success Story:
Melissa Castonguay
Melissa Castonguay is a Family Home Consultant (ECE) with the Family Home Child Care Society, Pictou County and a Neurodiversity Advocate |
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"My career as an Early Childhood Educator has taken the non-traditional route".
After a vehicle accident in 2006 forced me to leave university and move home to Pictou County, I had to completely pivot my life’s plan. I found myself working for a licenced child care centre where I learned that supporting children and families was a rewarding path. Throughout this time however, Nova Scotia was changing the requirements for ECEs and I didn’t have a diploma.
Thankfully, I was one of the last applicants granted a Level 1 ECE Equivalency in 2012. In 2016 I opened my own approved Family Home Child Care program. Then a turning point came in 2021 when my FHCC Agency was expanding under the Canada-wide Early Learning & Child Care Agreement. I knew there would be an opportunity coming for me to create positive change … but that it would require me to “Level Up”. That’s when I found the AECENS ECE RPL Program!
With support from the Pathways to Prosperity Program, I successfully completed the RPL in May 2022 and received an ECE Level 2 classification. I immediately secured my new position as a Family Home Consultant. This upgrade means I get to be a mentor to all the wonderful family home child care providers doing incredible work in my community and beyond.
I have also become a professional learning facilitator and neurodiversity movement advocate helping other ECEs understand neurodiversity affirming practice and how to implement supportive accommodations for children with disabilities. I walk them through tough conversations and self-reflections to create truly inclusive early learning environments.
Because of the RPL Program, I was able to apply my experience, knowledge, and passion to prove that I am exactly where I am supposed to be! |
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Yes, but did it make a difference? An Impact Evaluation Framework for RPL Initiatives |
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With a strong record of investing in RPL initiatives to support workforce development, expand access to education, and improve labour-market inclusion, the Province of Nova Scotia was ready for another kind of RPL project, one that would analyze the collective outcomes and lessons learned from a decade of this work.
The project, Evaluation of Outcomes of RPL Activity in Nova Scotia, was conducted by the Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in partnership with the Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA) and funded through the Government of Nova Scotia’s RPL Funding Program. The goal? To better understand the outcomes of RPL initiatives across the province and to strengthen future program design and evaluation.
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The project had two primary objectives: To examine participant outcomes across a decade of RPL activity in Nova Scotia (2014–2024) to identify best and promising practices; and
To develop a practical evaluation framework that could support ongoing planning, program design, and policy decision-making related to RPL initiatives across sectors.
The findings generated through this research, including recurring themes related to access, quality assurance, employer engagement, and sustainability, formed the empirical foundation for the development of the Impact Evaluation Framework.
The draft Framework was introduced in the Spring of this year and has been met with great interest not only in Nova Scotia but across Canada and internationally. We continue to present the findings while preparing for next steps including piloting the Framework. |
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Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification Lindsay Guitard Recognition, Evidence, and Quality
This spring, the National Career Development Certification Program reached an important milestone by achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification. While the certification itself is significant, one of the most valuable lessons was discovering how closely the principles of quality management align with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). As Registrar, the experience offered a new perspective on how intentional program design, evidence-based decision-making, and continuous improvement can strengthen both certification and the candidate experience.
When our National Career Development Certification Program officially launched in December 2024, much of the work to support long-term quality was already underway. Throughout 2024 and 2025, I had the opportunity to work alongside Gorveatte Consulting to develop our Quality Management System while the program itself continued to evolve. |
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At the same time, we refined our certification processes, expanded our documentation, and enhanced our custom web application and website to better support candidates. Rather than implementing a quality system after the program was established, we built the program and its supporting infrastructure in line with the mandatory requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. In hindsight, this was a significant advantage, allowing quality to become an integral part of the program rather than an afterthought.
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One of the most interesting observations throughout this journey was how naturally the principles of a Quality Management System complement Recognition of Prior Learning. Both rely on objective evidence, consistency, transparency, and continual improvement to build confidence in outcomes.
As we developed the certification program, we considered every process through two important questions: Does it provide a fair and meaningful experience for candidates? Can we demonstrate, through evidence, that it consistently achieves its intended purpose? Rather than existing as separate frameworks, RPL and ISO 9001 proved to be remarkably well aligned. Achieving certification reinforced that quality is not simply demonstrated during an audit. It is established through thoughtful design, ongoing reflection, and a commitment to continual improvement.
Lindsay Guitard is the Registrar NCDC Program Career Certification |
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Why RPL? Darlene Porter
"The Intersection of RPL and Narrative Career Practice" |
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| “Science explains parts; stories explain the whole.” Mark Savickas I got my first job courtesy of random applications and financial desperation. For the next five years, I soldered, crimped and packaged my way into a grand funk.
Next, I followed a trail of gold stars and schoolhouse echoes to a drafting job that called up those old math skills. How lucky was I to secure a strengths-based government sponsored position with only an academic high school diploma?! In my defense, I really did excel in math. |
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By the time I showed up for my first RPL via portfolio development workshop, I was quietly confused and more than a little lost. What I didn’t know was that I’d arrived at an intersection that would drop me into a well of stories that took me to a knowing that was true to the bone. By this point I was working as an ESS worker gathering the best tools for my professional toolbox. Narrative practice became the toolbox.
As my own stories thickened, I realized that my preferred future needed a posse. I couldn’t get enough of conspiring with others to re-collect, re-member and re-author their stories. Narrative career practice supports others toward an authentic unfolding that extends the through-line of their career to meaningful and satisfying ends. Narrative practitioners sign on as assistant private researchers, acting as guides, informants, coaches and confidantes.
Career development and portfolio learning facilitation are inherently transformative and empowering. Hitting ‘pause’ on living life to awaken to the richness of one’s experiences and possibilities is an act of wise self-care with outcomes that cross personal and professional boundaries. In this, Ahem, third chapter of my life, I remain excited to imagine whose stories will cross mine in the fall of 2026 for the next offering of Empowered: The Portfolio Career.
“How are you tending to the emerging story of your life?” Mark Nepo Darlene Porter is a narrative practitioner and career counsellor specializing in career development, portfolio work, and guiding meaningful career transitions. |
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Here are a few questions a narrative practitioner might offer to ‘thicken’ a client's self-awareness. (It is presumed these questions are posed as part of a professional and trauma-informed practice).
1. Who were your role models as a young person? What did you admire about them? 2. What do you remember about the communities of your youth? How did ‘community’ influence your guiding values? 3. How do you live out your values?
4. How have your values shifted over time? 5. What would others say you value? 6. What might you suggest is the theme of your life? What is the evidence?
7. Reflecting on your life to date, what values have guided your career choices? 8. How do your interests and strengths show up regularly in your present life? |
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EMPOWERED: The Portfolio Career FALL Intake
“The Empowered: Portfolio Career training showed me that learning happens everywhere - from school to work to personal projects. I’m now much better equipped to help the people I support to recognize these experiences and turn their achievements into meaningful career-ready stories.” - K.P.
EMPOWERED: The Portfolio Career facilitator training equips career development practitioners to support clients in reflecting on their experiences, recognize strengths, and move forward with a new confidence in what they know and can do.
If you’re a CDP in Nova Scotia with previous facilitation experience and an interest in fully experiencing the portfolio process, read further! We’re looking for a group of 10-12 practitioners for our Fall ‘26 intake.
Details:
Eight sessions led by expert facilitators Darlene Porter and Lisa Strong, including one in-person full day and the remaining sessions via Zoom.
Schedule: September 22: In-person (NSCDA Office);
September 29th onward, Tuesday mornings from 9:30-noon via Zoom, wrapping up mid-November.
This program will prepare you to facilitate portfolio development with groups and/or integrate portfolio activities into one-on-one practice. You’ll be invited to join our new EMPOWERED Community of Practice where likeminded portfolio enthusiasts will discuss all things related to the program and its delivery.
Apply by August 21 to Teresa Francis (tfrancis@nscda.ca) with:
- Why you're interested
- Your facilitation experience
- Any experience with portfolio development
Cost: - Non-member: $125
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Member: $100
- Professional Member: $87.50
- Nova Scotia Works Member: $25
Invoicing is available. Travel costs for the in-person session are the responsibility of the participant or organization. For invoicing inquiries, contact cmarshall@nscda.ca.
"Empowered helped me reframe my career path. Instead of feeling like I needed to fit into one role, I learned how a portfolio career lets me build meaningful work around my strengths, my interests, and my personal life."- J.F. |
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Our From the Field podcast series returns this fall. In our November issue, we'll feature a conversation with Darlene Porter exploring how narrative career practice helps people recognize their experiences, strengths, and learning while supporting more meaningful career development conversations. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our growing collection of From the Field podcasts using the link below.
https://nscda.podbean.com/ |
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ePIC Canada 2026 is a pan-Canadian event dedicated to the open recognition of learning and skills and to the emergence of a more inclusive, collaborative and resilient learning society. -
Ticket sales open: August 14th, 2026
- The event takes place in Ottawa on September 28th& 29th, 2026
https://resdac.net/epic-2026/ |
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The trusted voice for the career development community since the late 1990s. Offering professional certification, training based on competencies, special membership benefits, and opportunities to get involved in research, networking, and advocacy. |
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