Welcome to MPLAN, Manitoba’s network for the Recognition of Prior Learning. We are a community success story that is the envy of prior learning practitioners across Canada.
From its beginnings in 1995 to the present day, MPLAN has demonstrated how people who share a belief that learning can happen anywhere throughout your life can work together to build a sustainable community of practice. Our community nurtures and develops its members, advocates for change and continues to advance the practice of the Recognition of Prior Learning.
MPLAN welcomes new members at a very reasonable cost, and can help those new to the field build the knowledge, attitudes, confidence and recognition required to succeed as prior learning practitioners. We do this by hosting professional development and networking events, sharing innovative prior learning practices from across Canada and internationally, and by recognizing best practices in Manitoba with our PEARL Awards. Word of our network has spread beyond provincial and national borders and we continue to help colleagues in other jurisdictions replicate our success.
The Manitoba network continues to grow stronger with over 125 members and 13 years experience behind us. It’s an honour for me to have the opportunity to build on such a record of achievement and ongoing value.
Looking forward, our goals include broadening our membership further into the workplace, broadening our network internationally, enhancing and clarifying the professional recognition of our practitioners and acting as a community partner in innovative research initiatives. We will increasingly harness the power of the Internet to showcase the skills and knowledge of our practitioners and the learners they serve.
We invite you to become a part of our network and help us build the future together.
Don Presant, MPLAN Chair 2008
Comments from Members on “What MPLAN means to them”: March 2007
“The networking and collegial friendships that MPLAN has provided to me has served as both an inspiration and validation re the importance of the PLA process.”
(Lynn Cooper, Cooper Consultants and Past Chair of MPLAN)
“MPLAN provides me with a networking opportunity. It is challenging to keep up with the evolution of PLAR in my own institution and across the province. The network allows me to connect with others working in the same field, possibly encountering similar issues and working towards the development of best practices.
It offers professional development opportunities on issues and events of value; builds a network of professionals; provides opportunities to share compare and learn PLAR practices; a source of referral for clients; and collectively provides a stronger voice to advocate on behalf of learners.”
(Lauren Waples, PLAR Advisor at Red River College)
“As an independent contractor, MPLAN provides invaluable opportunities to maintain currency on all issues related to PLAR. This network is a resource for:
1. support and recognition of PLAR practice
2. PLAR in the workplace
3. PLAR related provincial policies
4. Current and historical PLAR research
5. Collaboration options with other independent contractors”
(Ann Pedersen, Reframed Learning Concepts)
“My involvement in MPLAN gives me an opportunity to network and interact with colleagues from various organizations throughout Manitoba, to share information related to the latest news in the field, new projects and initiatives, and develop events that continue to build on the momentum of prior learning assessment and recognition.”
(Stacey Thorarinson-Hoff, PLAR Advisor, Winnipeg Technical Institute; and Past Coordinator of: Early Childhood Education Internationally Educated Bridging Program).
“I have found the benefit to me has been keeping in touch with what is happening in the PLAR/RPL world. For me, it has been essential, because neither all government departments nor all of private industry have a full knowledge about the PLAR/RPL world. This lack of knowledge about what is happening, I think, is compounded when there is any resistance to the PLAR/RPL in the workplace. So, MPLAN is a place where I can learn what is happening regarding PLAR/RPL, what projects/programs may be occurring, who is doing what, contacts who might be able to help me, and a sense that there are other people out there who don’t think I’m crazy!”
(Mary Jane Fisher, Learning Advisor)
