Algonquin College is committed to recognizing prior experiential learning through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. This helps reduce barriers to education for an increasingly diverse student population. The college has assigned personnel to champion the RPL process and provide intake and referral services to help students identify goals and available college resources. The RPL approach involves self-understanding, empowerment, and understanding one's skills in relation to workforce needs. It provides tools to help students get "unstuck" and realize their untapped potential for navigating their careers.

1. Experienced Workers
Denyce Diakun, M.Ed

2. Recognition of Prior Learning
Algonquin has a commitment to embracing
an increasingly diverse student population
and reducing barriers to college education
A key pillar in this foundation is recognizing
learner’s prior experiential learning
Algonquin assigned personnel to champion
the RPL PROCESS

3. What we know
RPL motivates people to return to
formal education and training
RPL improves learner confidence,
self esteem and motivation to learn

4. What we know
The levels of participation in RPL are not as
great as one would have anticipated
People seeking higher levels of qualifications
participate in RPL as opposed to people who
have faced barriers in their formal education

5. Providing service for:
newcomers just arriving
those out of work for the first time in a long
time
young adults out of work
those in mid-life malaise
 those wishing to re-enter the workforce

6. Intake and Referral System
Established an enhanced, client-centric intake referral
process
Provide single point of contact and follow-up for
candidates
Gather information prior to enrolment
Provide support in identifying goals and utilizing existing
College services to enable the client to achieve them
Maintain liaison with client to build longer term
relationship and retention support

7. The Approach:
Self Understanding; interests, abilities, work
values, and personality characteristics
Empowerment; to overcome any personal
sense of powerlessness
Understanding the environment (Who needs
people like you?)
Aristotle said “Where your talents and the world’s needs
meet – there lies your vocation.”

8. The Approach;
Understand the role of RPL in their career
development
Develop benchmarks that allow the candidate
to succeed
Assessment processes are valid for what is
being assessed and fair for who is being
assessed

9. Assessment Process
Assessment processes are valid for what is
being assessed and fair for who is being
assessed
Encouraged to recognize their strengths and
capitalize on transferable skills

10. Future Direction
Get unstuck
Realize untapped potential
Increase the chances of getting a new position
that aligns with strengths and values
Provide tools for managing and developing
oneself
Provide a fresh approach essential for
navigating the rest of one’s life

11. Essential Skills for Today’s
Economy
Career development is the responsibility of
the individual
Need to develop and manage oneself on a
continual basis
Learning is continual and formal

12. Future Directions
"Knowledge workers are likely to outlive their
employing organization. Their average
working life is likely to be fifty years.” Drucker