ePortfolio for Skilled Immigrants and Employers

1. ePortfolio for Skilled Immigrants and Employers Presented by: Dr. Kathryn Chang Barker FuturEd Inc. and Learning Innovations Forum copyright: FuturEd 2006

2. Purpose: Apply the latest thinking about ePortfolios in the context of skilled immigrants coming to Canada AND employers Develop a recommended strategy for national implementation Phase 1 Timeline: July 2005 to March 2006 Sponsor: Learning Innovations Forum d’Innovations d’Apprentissage Funding: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Consultants: FuturEd Learning Agents Edmonton Mennonite Committee for Newcomers Canadian Project copyright: FuturEd 2006

3. ePortfolio Purposes • K-12– demonstration of learning • PSE / HE – assessment of learning • Lifelong learning – continuous “reflective” learning, inventory of learning • Workplace – • recognition of all forms of learning • Human Capital Assets Management • eLearning – LMS and KM, online tools, web services • Organizational and/ or economic development – asset mapping, quality assurance, social capital development copyright: FuturEd 2006

4. Rationale (1) • Immigrants build Canada • Immigrants must be skilled But • Difficulties with appropriate employment Therefore • Demoralizing for immigrants • Loss of human capital So… it’s a current federal priority copyright: FuturEd 2006

5. Rationale (2) Employers are having difficulty: • Understanding foreign credentials and foreign work experience • Finding skilled workers in many industries • Managing human capital in the knowledge economy copyright: FuturEd 2006

6. Hypothesis ePortfolio can: • Interpret foreign work experience and workplace training to employers • Improve recruiting and placement • Capitalize on entire bank of skills and knowledge for skilled immigrants • Hasten engagement with workforce • Increase productivity • Utilize ePortfolio in the workplace and in lifelong learning copyright: FuturEd 2006

7. Credentials Reflect time spent in class Questionable proficiency Proxy for skills and knowledge Dated Variable quality Formal learning only ePortfolio Reflects time spent learning Evidence-based proficiency Statement of actual skills and knowledge “Living” Systematic All learning valued ePortfolio for Human Capital Management copyright: FuturEd 2006

8. Research issues Employer perspectives • What are they using? • Would they use an ePortfolio? • What is a recommended format? • What content would they require? • Would they expect external validation? • Would they buy into a national strategy? Consulting also accrediting and professional bodies copyright: FuturEd 2006

9. ePortfolio for Skilled Immigrants • Would be standards-based (occupational skill standards) • Would incorporate all forms of learning • Would be recognized and used by employers • Would be started before coming to Canada • Would not necessarily be easy to create (digital evidence) copyright: FuturEd 2006

10. Recommending • An ePortfolio tool/service • An ePortfolio system • Production and consumption • More than creators and receivers • A great deal of PR • National coordination • Need for transportability • Need for quality and ROI • Immediate action copyright: FuturEd 2006

11. LIfIA Advocates for… • An ePortfolio for every Canadian. • One ePortfolio for life. • Quality ePortfolio tools and services. • ePortfolio systems for creators and users. • Collaboration and proactive leadership, making the pie bigger. • Connections to the global ePortfolio effort. • Common standards supporting a competitive environment. • Learning innovations as they benefit learners, communities and organizations. copyright: FuturEd 2006

12. For More Information… • Learning Innovations Forum d’Innovations d’Apprentissage • Presentations from Working Forum in Vancouver and Montreal www.LIfIA.ca • ePortfolio Canada projects • FuturEd eLibrary www.FuturEd.com • Policy papers – HRD and HCAM • Implementation strategies across sectors • Consumer’s Guide to ePortfolio Tools and Services copyright: FuturEd 2006