The recent Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment
and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications describes the ideal steps and
processes to address current gaps for successful immigrant labour market
integration. In Canada, regulatory authorities, in each provincial and
territory jurisdiction, have the primary responsibility for implementing this
framework.
In order to implement the framework, it is important
to understand how the existing National Occupational Classification System and
its companion processes impact regulator occupations.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is
the nationally accepted Canadian reference on occupations that organizes more
than 30,000 job titles into 520 occupational group descriptions.
The NOC uses a matrix format with four (4) skill
levels and nine (9) skill types.
Skill level corresponds to the type and/or amount of
training or education typically required to work in an occupation. For example,
skill level A usually requires a university education while skill level B
usually requires a college education or apprenticeship training.
Skill type is based on the type of work performed,
but it also reflects the field of training or experience that is normally
required for entry into the occupation. For example skill type 7 is Trades,
Transportation and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations.
The jobs in the classification system are then defined
by titles, for example Motor Vehicle and Transit Drivers are a level C
(occupations usually require secondary school and/or occupation-specific
training), skill type 7 ( Trades,
Transportation and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations.)
The NOC is used in many ways. Statistics Canada and
Human Resource and Skill Development Canada use the NOC for strategic planning,
development and implementation. Citizenship and Immigration Canada identifies occupations
in high demand using the NOC.
The NOC also has companion processes that are very
useful in developing occupation specific assessment and recognition frameworks.
Essential skills profiles, based on specific NOC
codes, are written for occupation standards.
Essential Skills are the skills people use to carry
out a wide variety of everyday life and work tasks. They provide the foundation
for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and
adapt to workplace change.
Essential Skills are not the technical skills
required by particular occupations but rather the skills applied in all
occupations. For example, writing skills are required in a broad range of
occupations. Of course, the complexity and frequency of writing varies. Some
workers fill out simple forms every day, while others write daily or monthly
reports.
Essential Skills enable people to do their work. For
example, service technicians may frequently need to read and understand written
work orders before they can do the repairs.
Occupational Language Analyses (OLA), based on
essential skills profiles, are also written for occupations.
An OLA defines the standard English and French
language requirements of an occupation based on the tasks identified in
occupation-specific Essential Skills Profiles.
An OLA serves as a companion document to
both the Essential Skill Profile and the National Occupation Classification
system.
Both Essential skills and occupational language
analyses are important in the development of an occupation specific assessment
and recognition framework.
Another process, Prior Learning Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR), helps adults demonstrate and obtain
recognition for learning that they acquire outside formal education settings.
PLAR is used to assess an individual's knowledge and
skills level relative to specific criteria. The establishment of clear,
measurable criteria is the key to a high-quality PLAR process.
A variety of methods might be used to assess prior
learning. They include demonstrations, structured interviews, and presentations
of examples or products. Many colleges, universities, and professional
licensing and certification bodies use written tests to assess an applicant's
prior learning.
Some organizations offer portfolio development
courses. A portfolio is an organized collection of documents and other items
that demonstrate what an individual knows and can do.
In some parts of Canada, licensing and certification
bodies, such as the College of Dental Technicians of British Columbia and the
College of Optometrists of Ontario, use PLAR to evaluate the knowledge and
skills of internationally trained applicants wishing to enter their
professions.
The National Occupation Classification System,
Essential Skills Profiles, Occupational Language Analysis and Prior Learning
Assessment and Recognition are one small part of any foreign qualifications
initiatives undertaken by regulators under the Pan-Canadian framework.
Regulators must be prepared to integrate existing NOC
work or plan new companion work for the occupations under their
jurisdiction.
Douglas Ross is an advocate for integrity as a
strategy for performance. He is a consultant with Principle Dynamics Consulting
Inc of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and Augusta, Georgia, USA.
You can reach him at principledynamics@comcast.net
or at 706-267-0609
©
2010 All Rights Reserved, Douglas Ross, Principle Dynamics Consulting
Inc.
I was born in Canada back in 1982. After living here in the United States for over 20 years I am glad to see Canada's approach to this matter.
Posted by: Foreign Language Learner | 01/24/2011 at 04:47 AM