Welcome to Canada's recognition of learning chronology, a history of the important events and milestones in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and Qualification Recognition (QR). This chronology highlights primary events, activities and accomplishments in Canada's twenty-year history of developing and implementing a wide range of PLAR and QR services. It reflects several major themes:
National forums, initiatives and organizations
Provincial initiatives
Education and training initiatives
Employer, regulatory body and sector council initiatives
Research publications
Canada has had many successes in its use of PLAR and QR. In the process, it has gained a much greater understanding about adult learning, assessment, and organizational change. The events and milestones highlighted in this chronology reflect some of Canada's most significant moments in its creative effort to foster greater use of PLAR and QR. Many of these represent PLAR and QR "firsts," whether in national, provincial or other contexts.
By reviewing this chronology, you will be able to learn and perhaps celebrate Canada's outstanding contributions to the fields of PLAR and QR. You may also be able to help identify areas in which Canada still needs to grow and develop to meet the increasingly diverse needs of its people. These areas will be identified in Canada';s Learning Plan which is currently under development as part of this Website.
This chronology will continue to be updated. If you identify errors, significant omissions, or gaps, please contact the Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment. You can do this by returning to CAPLA's Home Page. Many people have already contributed to Canada's history of PLAR and QR. If you are one of these, please share your suggestions for additional entries and improvements to Canada’s PLAR and QR Chronology and Milestones.