The MPLAN PEARL Award is given for the Pursuit of Excellence in the Assessment and Recognition of prior Learning.
PEARL 2015: Boeing Canada, Winnipeg
Background for this Award
For more than a decade, Boeing Canada Winnipeg has demonstrated that when it comes to the Recognition of Prior Learning /RPL, it is unique among major private sector employers in Manitoba.
Pursuit of Excellence
Throughout those 10 years Boeing Canada Winnipeg has shown a strong, broad and long term commitment to RPL and has done this not only by applying it in innovative ways within the company, but also by promoting an awareness and acceptance of RPL as a fundamental HR strategy among other employers within Manitoba and beyond.
Results Achieved
- Innovative Grade XII Mature Student program for 13 employees who did not have their Grade 12 Certificates. RPL was applied to relevant school studies and learning in company and Grade 12 gap training was provided at Boeing (2003/4). Done with MacLeod Adult Learning Centre; Note: All 13 students graduated with Mature Student Diplomas. Boeing received joint PEARL Award with MacLeod in 2005
- Multi-employer RPL program 2006/9 for high potential junior managers with no first degree: led to U of Wpg. Bachelor of Business and Economics. 2010 PEARL Award went to U of W and Manitoba Aerospace Human Resource Coordinating Committee. Concept and the energy, commitment and drive came from Boeing who also hosted UW classes.
- RPL assessment (6 hours) for highly skilled workers → qualification as Boeing Inspector (instead of taking 6 weeks of training) 2007. Still in use because Boeing can now respond quickly when rates of production rapidly increase and more Inspectors are needed.
- RPL assessment→ most qualified/ experienced workers certified in a new occupation (Composite Rework) (2009). 75% of experienced workers were certified in a fraction of time/cost of ‘regular’ training.
Acknowledgements
Over a decade of Essential Skills Training (which includes RPL) were delivered within the company. Boeing Winnipeg also supported Workplace Education Manitoba/WEM and WPLAR – both of which promote and are based upon an understanding of the principles and practices of RPL. Boeing lent its name and credibility to the concept to Essential Skills training (including RPL) across MB and Canada. A Boeing Rep has served on the Board of Directors of WEM for more than a decade.
PEARL 2015: Military Support Office, University of Manitoba
Background for this Award
MSO was established in 1974 by Barry Browning, the then Registrar at the U of M. He happened to be a retired Canadian Forces Officer and clearly he not only understood but also was trusted within both academic and military cultures to such a degree that he was able to conceive, initiate and develop this ground -breaking but undeniably very successful program. A strikingly Innovative RPL-type initiative when it was established forty years ago, MSO was the first program of its type in Canada and remains the only one outside of Quebec.
Pursuit of Excellence
MSO provides a number of significant and valuable services (both RPL and non-RPL) to individuals with a Canadian Forces background. MSO also provides critical related administrative supports to members of the forces.
Results Achieved
- MSO Initiates evaluation of new/additional Canadian Forces courses/training by carefully reviewing each selected Canadian Forces course manual and condensing it, where it is then sent to the appropriate U of M Faculty. There it is reviewed by an appropriate Subject Matter Expert for credit hour determination. (From 0 credit hours for courses with insufficient/no university level content up to a maximum of 6 credit hours on a program specific or “unallocated” basis.
- The maximum possible is 30 credit hours per applicant (33% of a full load of 90 credit hours)
- In terms of MSO outcomes:
- About 320 to 400 students receive advisory and admin support from MSO each year. Currently the number of registered students is 380.
- Since 1974 at least 1900 members of the Canadian Forces with substantial credit hours via MSO have graduated from U of M
Administrative supports to members of the forces include:
- Dedicated and military – appropriate academic advising and degree program planning
- Authorizing withdrawals and tuition reimbursement when unforeseen military duty interferes with university courses.
- Waiving residency requirements for selected degree programs.
- Since 1974 MSO has identified 22 Canadian Forces Trades programs and over 100 professional level courses to which it will grant credit hours either to specific degree programs or as ”unallocated” credit hours.
Acknowledgements
What has been accomplished here is literally quite astounding, not to mention ground breaking. The fact that MSO has survived and prospered since 1974 is testament to the University of Manitoba’s unusually strong and stable commitment to the powerful concept of university/military collaboration.