Friday, June 24, 2016
9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Quality Assurance in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Transitioning Research Into Practice
A symposium for: Regulators, Human Resource Professionals, and Educators
Venue: Trinity Western University (Richmond Campus)
5900 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond, BC, V6X 0L9
Quality Assurance in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) of current competencies is the
focus of the symposium of particular relevance to human resource professionals, regulators and
educators. The program includes presentations on exemplary practices for using PLAR to determine if an
applicant truly meets the criteria for employment or for certification in a regulated occupation. Expert
practitioners from different sectors of the economy will share their best practices.
Program
9:30
Keynote Speaker
Joy Van Kleef will present a research-based, thought provoking perspective on “quality” that aims
to strengthen the integrity and credibility of PLAR processes used by regulated occupations.
10:45 Networking and Refreshment
You will have an opportunity to meet and network with Christine Wihak and Joy Van Kleef,
Authors of the Handbook of the Recognition of Prior Learning: Research into Practice.
11:15 Exemplary Frameworks for PLAR in Practice
Russel Robertson, Director of Programs, Training and Certification, BC Forest Safety Council:
Quality Assurance using PLAR in the Forestry Sector.
Judy Harris, Senior Advisor, Policy and Research, Industry Training Authority (BC):
Quality Assurance using PLAR for certification in the skilled trades.
Jennifer Bertrand, Registrar, Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals
of Alberta (ASET): Quality Assurance using PLAR for certification of engineering technicians and
technologists.
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Facilitated discussion led by a panel of experts
Topic: PLAR as an alternate evaluation framework for labour market entry and career
advancement.
Panelist: Christine Wihak, Thompson Rivers University,
Panelist: Alan Bostakian, Human Resources Management Association,
Facilitator: Charles Joyner, BC Prior Learning Action Network
14:15 Summary remarks and closing
14:30 BC PLAN Annual General Meeting
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Joy Van Kleef
CEO of the Canadian Institute for Recognizing Learning. She has worked in the field of
prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) for over 20 years. Her learning in
this field is both academically and experientially based. She has two Masters degrees
and a PhD from l'école des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. Her doctoral
research is on "quality" in the assessment and recognition of non-formal and informal
learning of internationally educated nurses. Over the past fifteen years, Joy has
specialized in research and the management of projects related to adult learning
recognition and labour force development and has completed more than 90 projects during that period.
She was the principal author of A Slice of the Iceberg: Cross-Canada Study of PLAR (1999) involving
seven institutions and over 15,000 adult learners. Van Kleef also authored Quality Assurance Practices of
Postsecondary Institutions in Canada (2002) as well as Feedback from Learners: A Second CrossCanada Study of PLAR (2003).
Jennifer Bertrand
The Registrar of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals
of Alberta (ASET), serving in a leadership, liaison, and advisory role to manage the
certification, registration and professional practice of applied science, information, and
engineering technicians and technologists in Alberta. Jennifer is a Certified Association
Executive (CAE) with extensive experience in the public and not-for-profit sectors. She
has worked with a variety of employers, from the Government of Alberta to professional
associations at both the provincial and national level. She currently serves as the Chair
of the Governance and Audit Council of Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) and as a member of the
TAC Standards Council. An active volunteer, Jennifer has served in a variety of roles in the not-for-profit
sector, most recently as a Director of the Canadian Society of Association Executive (CSAE)’s Alberta
chapter and a committee member on the CSAE’s Communications Awards Task Force. Jennifer is a
student at Athabasca University (AU) where she is completing a second degree. She is a recipient of the
AU Academic Leadership Award for contributing to leadership and the local community via volunteerism
and active participation in extracurricular cultural activities.
Russel Robertson
Director of Programs, Training and Certification at BC Forest Safety
Council. He has extensive international experience in competency based training,
assessment, certification, and PLAR. Russel is a seasoned leader with strong
business acumen; an effective catalyst for trans-formative human capital change, and a
recognized leader of innovative solutions to address the human capital needs of
industry in the rapidly changing workplace. Russel also serves as a competency based
training and assessment subject matter expert on the Safety Advisory Foundation for
Education and Research.
Christine Wihak
Director of PLAR at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU -OL). Prior to
joining TRU-OL, Dr. Wihak was an Assistant Professor in Workplace and Adult
Learning at the University of Calgary. She carries out research in the area of workrelated informal learning and PLAR. Dr. Wihak holds a PhD in Educational Psychology
from the University of Alberta, a Master's of Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in
Public Administration, both from Carleton University, and an Honours BA in Psychology
from Queen's University.
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Judy Harris
Senior Advisor, Policy and Research with the Industry Training Authority (BC). Judy
has a B.Ed. from Washington State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy
from Simon Fraser University. Judy developed the policy framework for ITA-registered
Assessors who perform certification challenge assessments for several trades. Judy
has participated in the development of practical assessments and technical interview
tools and delivered numerous Assessor Training courses for ITA assessors.
Alan Bostakian
The Manager of Professional Development, Partner Programming, and Accreditation
with the Human Resources Management Association (HRMA). Alan’s education
includes a doctorate in Business Administration and Management (California), Project
Management Mastery (Stanford University), and a Certificate in HRM (USA).
Additionally, Alan has achieved multiple professional designations in Canada, United
States and the United Kingdom. Alan has been assigned by the Postdoctoral Office of
UBC to be one of the Mentors for the Post-Doctoral Fellows in 2016. He is also a
member of the International Quality Group, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Prior to
joining HRMA, he held various roles including College Director, Training & Development Director, CLO,
and Project Manager. He has an extensive background in Talent Development, Corporate University
Architecture, Adult Training, Leadership Development, Management Accreditation, Certification, and
Enterprise & Workplace Learning fields. Alan also had three years of post-secondary teaching.
Charles Joyner
The Registrar of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)
and the Chair of BC Prior Learning Action Network (BC PLAN). His education and work
experience in engineering technology, teaching, education planning and administration
in Canada and internationally fuels his desire to enhance the methods for assessing
and recognizing experiential learning. His qualifications include a machinist
apprenticeship, applied science technologist (AScT), a B.Ed. and M.A. from McGill
University and a Ph.D. in organizational development.
Cost
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Symposium (including refreshment and lunch) $95.00
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Symposium (including refreshment and lunch) + BC PLAN membership for 2016-2017 $175.00
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BC PLAN annual membership only for 2016-2017 $100.00
A discount of 50% is available for full-time students.
Register online at:
http://bcplan.ca/symposium-agm/
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Venue
Trinity Western University Richmond Campus
5900 Minoru Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Richmond, BC, V6X 0L9
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Walking distance from the Lansdowne Station on the “Canada Line”
TWU is located on the 3rd floor above the City Centre Community Centre
Underground parking is available at reasonable cost. Access to parking is off Firbridge Way
Please park in the visitors (“V”) parking stalls and be sure to pay at the meter or pay station
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