Metropolis 2006

Immigration and Canada’s Place in a Changing World

Presenter: Emilie Coyle-Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers

“e-Portfolios for Skilled

Immigrants to Canada”

Surprise!

Open

Throw away directions

Use every method you can think of to put the toy together accurately

Hidden Skills

Most of us seriously underestimate what we know and can do.

So deeply entrenched and internalized has the definition of “learning” become that even people with advanced credentials tend to ignore and undervalue their experiential learning

• By 2011 or 2012 Immigration will account for 100% of the net gain in the Canadian labour market

• 60% of the approximately 230,000 immigrants arriving each year have post-secondary education.

• The Canadian economy loses $6-12 billion annually because immigrant skills are unrecognized or underutilized

• Employers face shortages of skilled workers

Immigration Statistics

Employment realities

“The findings suggest that the integration of immigrants into the labour force cannot be viewed in isolation from immigrants’ integration into Canadian society and culture”

“It is important for government to engage businesses in developing policies and

outreach materials that will assist both the employer and the immigrant and ensure that immigrants can reach their full potential in their adoptive country.”

To Underutilization, Lack of recognition of skills & Credentialist Barriers:

• Immigrants need access to good information about credentialing and the labour market

• Enhanced language training is essential

• The education and experience of immigrants must be made more transparent to employers

• Credentialist barriers must be reduced or eliminated.

Possible Solutions

To Underutilization, Lack of recognition of skills & Credentialist Barriers:

An e-portfolio process that enables immigrants to construct an e-portfolio tool that makes their education and experience transparent to Canadian employers

Possible Solutions

The word metanoia means: a fundamental shift (or change) in thinking; a mind-shift.

In systems thinking, a mind-shift or metanoia precedes a paradigm shift – a movement from an “old” way of doing or seeing things to a new way.

Where are we going with this?

Metanoia

• Information – both for the client and the agency

• Assessment – of the client’s credentials, experience, language proficiency (IQAS, PLAR, CLB)

• Bridging – filling the gaps

• Facilitated Job Search

Current Employment Counseling Model

Information – for the client and the agency

Assessment/Self-assessment & Reflection– client’s credentials, experience, language proficiency and interactions with licensing /regulatory bodies (PLAR, CLB, IQAS -results) will become “artifacts” in the client’s portfolio. Reflection on past learning and determination of relevance to practice of the immigrant’s profession in Canada.

Bridging – filling the gaps and taking new career directions. Being in control of one’s own career.

Facilitated Job Search – e-portfolio or skillsinternational.ca

The Proposed Model or System

The counselor/facilitator and the client engage in a career development process (constructivist approach).

Portfolio Learning - Reflection (deep learning).

Assessment: translation of credentials, proof of experience - PLAR or CBA, Language proficiency, IQAS, Examinations required by reg./licensing bodies, artifacts from ‘other’ learning (formal, informal, and non-formal) situations.

career planning

development of an “action plan”

Assessment and Reflection

Competency Based Assessment

standardized tests

review of transcripts

licences and certificates

challenge exams

oral examination

performance observation

skill demonstration/ product assessment

program review

Portfolio Review

Prior Learning Assessment Methods

Partnership

Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers

PLA Centre Halifax

Portfolio Learning

Broad Reflection - Chronological Record, Reflection on Life

More Focused - Life History

Very Focused - Goal Setting, Learning Narratives

The Portfolio Product

Pilot Projects

•Halifax – 11 participants

•Edmonton – 4 participants

•Li Jin

•Nicholas Echeverry

Multiple purposes of an e-portfolio:–Learning/Process–Assessment (PLAR)–Marketing/Showcase (Tool)

Purpose and Goals of E-portfolio

Prior Learning Assessment and Canada

Many initiatives and little cohesion.

Why the PLAR process?

CAPLA, FNTI, PLA Centre Manitoba, PLA Centre Halifax, Lifia, among others

Implications for the Future

Limitless

Hopeful

Exciting

Inclusive

Welcoming

PLA

“Fundamentally, PLAR is a means of providing for the individual’s power over his or her own learning, which is the ultimate power of all” Alan. M. Thomas

Thank you

Discussion and Questions