Unlock Your Potential: How Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Can Help You Save Time and Money While Earning a Degree or Certification

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process that evaluates the knowledge, skills, and experience of individuals for academic credit or recognition. It is an essential tool in alternative schooling and education because it acknowledges the learning acquired outside traditional classrooms.

PLAR takes into account previous experiences such as work experience, volunteering, military service, independent study, cultural activities among others. The purpose of PLAR is to recognize this prior learning by awarding credits towards a degree or diploma program.

The PLAR process involves three steps: identification of learning needs; assessment and documentation of skills; evaluation of learning outcomes. The first step involves identifying what the individual wants to learn and how their prior knowledge can contribute to achieving that goal. This step also identifies any gaps in knowledge that need to be filled through further study.

Assessment and documentation are critical for evaluating prior learning accurately. This step requires individuals to provide evidence from their past experiences such as certificates, transcripts, portfolios or other documents that demonstrate they have acquired relevant knowledge.

The final step in PLAR is evaluating the learning outcomes achieved through prior knowledge assessment against established standards required for academic credit or recognition. If these standards are met by the individual’s prior learning achievements, they may receive credits towards their degree or certificate program.

PLAR enables people who have been out of formal education systems for some time but possess valuable life experiences to gain access to post-secondary education without repeating courses already completed successfully elsewhere. Individuals can save time and money while obtaining credentials necessary for career advancement.

Moreover, PLAR has been beneficial for those seeking employment opportunities where employers require certain levels of certification before hiring them. Employers often recognize candidates with relevant work experience coupled with industry certifications rather than just a college degree alone.

In addition to benefitting individuals entering post-secondary institutions or seeking employment opportunities, organizations also benefit from offering PLAR services within their training programs. It helps employees identify areas where they excel while offering a way to recognize their achievements and build upon them.

PLAR is an inclusive approach that recognizes the diverse learning experiences of individuals. It also acknowledges that traditional academic education may not be the only path for everyone. It allows people from different backgrounds to gain access to higher education, which ultimately contributes to a more equitable society.

Despite its many benefits, PLAR faces some challenges. One such challenge is ensuring standardization across institutions and programs in evaluating prior learning experiences uniformly. This issue has led to efforts by organizations such as the Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) and others globally to develop best practices guidelines.

Another challenge is lack of awareness among potential candidates about PLAR services offered by post-secondary institutions or training providers. Some may be unaware of how their prior knowledge can contribute towards achieving their educational goals or career advancement opportunities.

In conclusion, PLAR provides an opportunity for recognizing prior learning experiences outside traditional academic settings, allowing individuals from various backgrounds access to post-secondary education while saving time and money. Organizations also benefit from investing in PLAR services within their training programs as it helps employees identify areas where they excel and build upon them while acknowledging achievements made through work experience or certification processes. While there are challenges associated with standardization and awareness-raising efforts, developing best practice guidelines will ensure uniformity in evaluation methods used across institutions providing PLAR services globally.