Recognition of Prior Learning
We are always learning in everything that we do. We learn at work, through family and relationships and the activities of daily living, through volunteering and personal interests. We learn through navigating change and overcoming challenges. Unlike formal learning, however, this learning doesn’t award us a certificate telling us and others that we’ve met the learning outcomes or acquired certain skills.
The Recognition of Prior Learning brings this learning to the surface and helps individuals identify and prove the knowledge, skills and competencies they possess—what they know and can do—so it can be recognized. The possible benefits are many, including labour market attachment or advancement, formal credentialing and increased self-confidence and self-knowledge.
If you know something and can do something and can prove it, you shouldn’t have to learn it over again. RPL can save money and time, advance careers and help address labour market gaps. It can benefit individuals, employers, communities and the economy. It just makes sense.
This was one of the best conferences I’ve ever attended. It was well-organized, the speakers were terrific, and it was so energizing to see how much positive RPL activity there is going on in the province right now. As a very long time practitioner, it was a lot like old home week. The buzz from beginning to end was vibrant, positive, & productive.
A superbly organized and delivered conference: one of the best I’ve ever been to. A lovely balance of presentations and adequate networking time. The presentations weren’t too long and were active: bravo!
NSCDA RPL Timeline
1999
The Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA) is formed as an inclusive not-for-profit organization providing strategic leadership to Nova Scotia career development professionals.
Early 2000s
The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Portfolio Development program is embedded in employment services throughout Nova Scotia. Career professionals became familiar with RPL concepts.
2006–2009
NSCDA explores voluntary certification for Career Development Professionals (CDPs). The use of an RPL model for certification is endorsed by the NS career development field.
2014
NS becomes the first and only province in Canada to offer an RPL approach to the Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation.
2022
Close to 300 CDPs have earned the CCDP designation via the RPL process.
The NSCDA explores ways to further embed RPL into core programs and services.
2024
- NS RPL Best Practices Forum takes place in Halifax
- the RPL-based National CDP Certification is launched
- mapping NSCDA training to Competency Framework begins
- NS now has more than 300 CCDPs
2025
- EMPOWERED: the Portfolio Career is launched
- National Certification is gaining traction
- Start to build RPL assessments into training and imagining a future where all learning counts.