2024 has been a year of meaningful progress in Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). A standout moment for me has been contributing to the National Career Development Certification (NCDC) program - an initiative that sets a new national standard for Career Development Professionals (CDPs) across Canada. Over the last couple of years, I have worked alongside my colleagues at North Pacific Inc., to support the NSCDA, CCDF-FCDC, national stakeholders including the National Certification Advisory Committee, and the Technical Working Group made of dedicated career development professionals to bring this national certification to life.
I had the privilege of designing, developing, refining, and delivering a range of competency-based assessment tools that are now being used to recognize the competencies of CDPs across the country. This project represents my first involvement in a national RPL-based occupational certification program — a significant milestone in my journey from working on several provincial and occupation-specific initiatives to a national platform.
The collaborative effort behind this program and the passion and commitment of the CDP community has been so inspiring. This certification process not only reflects the critical contributions of the role of CDPs but also raises the bar for professional standards. I’m honored to have played a part in supporting the continued growth and recognition of this vital profession, which touches so many lives across Canada.
Beyond the technical aspects of creating assessment tools and frameworks this work has been about breaking down barriers to recognition. It’s about opening doors for individuals who face systemic challenges in having their prior learning and existing skills formally acknowledged. For me, the most fulfilling part of this journey has been seeing candidates achieve the recognition they deserve and step into new career opportunities.
As someone who is passionate about learning and the recognition of learning, I see 2025 as a year of possibility. The work I do in the areas of RPL/PLAR is more critical than ever, helping recognize uncredentialed workers, address skill shortages, and create equitable career pathways. I envision deeper integration of competency-based assessment models with emerging technologies including AI to scale recognition programs. I also hope to see greater collaboration between the Government, industry associations & sector councils, training institutions, and employers to design innovative pathways for recognizing prior learning.
But beyond the tools and technologies, I hope that the heart of my work remains the same: enabling individuals to realize their full potential and access opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach. As the year ends, I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and excited about what lies ahead.
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Congratulations Kathy McKee, Sareena Hopkins, Gail Langlais, Teresa Francis, Lindsay Guitard, Tara Deveau, BRM CCDPcm, Ashley, Connie Corse, CCDP and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this certification to life. This National Certification is a true game changer for CDPs in Canada and I am so grateful I got a chance to play a role along with my incredible colleagues, Dan McFaull and Jennifer Boeda.
