|
|
|
|
|
|
| Recognizing Prior Learning
|
In light of the global economic recession an innovative program has come to the forefront of many educational institutions across the province to recognize prior learning whether it’s from formal, informal or life experiences. The process is geared towards people who have been recently laid off, are looking for a career change or newcomers to the province. Marigum Nagnzo moved to Saskatchewan with her family after completing her high school education in Tanzania and obtaining her university degree for Natural Science in Norway. Nagnzo says she had a hard time having her credits from Norway recognized and found the prior learning process very helpful.
Marigum Nagnzo- College Student
“First it saves you money, it saves you time and I would recommend it for anyone who has their credentials to go through it and they’ll be fine ”
|
|
|
At the end of the process you’ll have a portfolio documenting all of your employable skills that would be helpful for resume building or to bring on a job interview. Nagnzo explained the prior learning process is very individualized and pinpoints numerous skills for different job sectors.
Marigum Nagnzo- College Student
“ I think it’s very very helpful to work one-on-one because then they focus on you rather than just being in a big group and they have to focus on so many things”
The reflection process helped Nagnzo decide her ultimate career goal is practical nursing. She went back to school at Great Plains College and will be graduating from the program this year. This process could also be helpful if you have been in the same career field your entire life and are looking to do something different whether it’s because of personal preferences or due to an economic slow down.
Noreen Volk- Career Councilor
“My father is a farmer and he often says what do I know I’ve been farming since I was 16 years old and I said dad you run a business you sell your products you manage your budgets you handle every aspect of a business so in my opinion a farmer has extensive knowledge in business and entrepreneurship and just a ton of different things so they’d be a perfect example of those people that maybe don’t have any formal credentials behind their name at the same time have an amazing number of skills”
Sharon Fehr is a career councilor at Great Plains College and says the hardest part of the process is getting started but once you do it’s something you can have your entire life.
Sharon Fehr-Career Councilor
“It depends if you have all of your documentation in place it’s the gathering that takes time and the reflection so its not a speedy process, it’s helpful if you can do it over time and its actually probably never done because as you go through life there also more experiences more training you may take so your always adding to it but I guess the key is to actually put everything under one cover”
The economic recession is making it more difficult to obtain and keep employment especially for those with no formal educational credits. This process will help outline all of the employable skills you’ve gained throughout your life, which could demonstrate you’ve have credentials that otherwise would have been overlooked.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
