The Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) is the national voice for the recognition of prior learning (RPL) in Canada. From its early days in Belleville, Ontario, CAPLA was nurtured by First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and continues to benefit from the legacy of its founders.
CAPLA has been operating since 1994 and was incorporated in 1997 as a non-profit organization. Its Members include but are not limited to adult learners, PLAR practitioners, researchers, employers, sector councils, labour, academic and training institutions, government officials, occupational bodies, immigration settlement and integration agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), Indigenous groups and career practitioners. CAPLA continues to host conferences and webinars yearly on a range of PLAR/RPL topics to help inform practice, policies, projects and research with local, provincial/territorial, national and international emphasis.
CAPLA has a voluntary Board of Directors from across Canada who are involved with PLAR/RPL in a variety of ways. They are elected by CAPLA Members at the Annual General Meeting each year.
Those involved with PLAR/RPL support a culture of adult learning which values knowledge, skills and abilities regardless of where they’ve been acquired. Principles such as fairness, transparency, validity and accessibility drive the practice which facilitates social inclusion, individual growth, equity and economic prosperity for all.
CAPLA provides support, expertise, and advocacy for the development of PLAR/RPL in Canada. For example, participation in free, informal community of practice ZOOM sessions is open to anyone interested in sharing ideas and information. It’s a great place to meet others, expand networks and increase awareness of PLAR/RPL practice from other participants across the country. Practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders working together, can improve access and reduce barriers for non-traditional learners seeking recognition and workers looking for new opportunities in the labour force.
CAPLA’s Board of Directors supports the concept of continuous improvement and recommends the use of pan-Canadian RPL guidelines and quality practices as described in its recent publication Quality Assurance for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Canada – THE MANUAL (2015).