Glossary
A
Accreditation
A process of quality assurance through which accredited status is granted by responsible professional authorities to an educational institution or program that meets the standards of education established by these authorities.
Apprenticeship authority
An organization that assesses credentials, training and experience of persons applying for certification.
Assessment
- The identification and measurement of learning, credentials, and other forms of qualifications required for entry into programs of study or occupations (assessment may include testing, examinations, or other prescribed activities).
- A process that measures knowledge, skills and aptitudes.
Assessment agency
See credential assessment service
B
Bridging program
A program that helps internationally trained individuals prepare to work by addressing a gap in knowledge and experience.
C
Call for proposals
A transparent process that allows any eligible organization or individual to apply for funding in order to deliver settlement services in their community.
Certification
A formal document that recognizes that a person has a certain set of skills, knowledge and abilities.
A measurable skill or set of skills, level of knowledge, and behavioural practices obtained through formal, non-formal or informal learning.
Conference
- An event that may bring together government officials, regulatory bodies, academics and policy makers to share multidisciplinary perspectives on a particular subject.
- A meeting for discussion or presentation of information, especially a regular one held by an association or organization.
Credential assessment agency
See credential assessment service
Credential evaluation agency
See credential assessment service
A provincially-mandated organization, such as a regulatory body or a post-secondary institution, that is responsible for assessing the portability of foreign credentials.
NOTE: In Canada, provincial and territorial governments are responsible for assessing and recognizing credentials.
Credential recognition
A process that involves the assessment of a degree or certificate obtained at a recognized institution and the determination of the degree of comparability with the level of education and standards of an educational institution or professional regulatory body or association.
The degrees or certificates that are earned after the completion of the required academic training, such as a Bachelor of Science degree or a Certificate in Human Resources.
E
Educational institution
An organization offering educational courses and programs, such as a university or college.
Employer
A person or company that is responsible for hiring an employee, assigning the work to be performed by the employee as well as the collection and deduction of applicable taxes and benefits from the employees' pay.
Established practice; standard practice
A way of doing things or a procedure that is customary or expected in an organization.
I
Immigrant-serving organization
An organization that helps newcomers by providing information and guidance upon arrival in the province or territory of choice.
Immigration
The act of entering a country of which one is not a citizen for the purpose of establishing permanent residence.
Integration
The process by which individuals or groups adapt to a new environment through active participation in its social life and the adoption of its established values and standards.
Interactive tool
A computer or Web application that allows a two-way flow of information with the user.
Internship
A supplementary period of practical, supervised, on-the-job training designed to give practitioners the required skills and knowledge for entry into a trade or profession.
L
Language training
The training offered to newcomers to improve their English or French communication skills.
M
Mentoring; mentorship
A sheltered relationship that allows learning and experimentation to take place and personal potential and new skills to flourish through a process in which one person, the mentor, supports the career and development of another, the mentee, outside the normal superior/subordinate relationship.
N
New approach
A new way of dealing with a matter.
New process
A new course of action or proceeding to perform a task.
Non-regulated occupation
A profession or a trade for which there is no need for a licence, certificate or registration.
P
Policy
A set of broad government objectives to be attained through a number of related specific programs.
Prior learning assessment and recognition; PLAR
A process that helps adults to demonstrate and obtain recognition for learning that they acquire outside of formal education settings.
Program
A selected series of courses leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
Provincial government
Under Canada's federal system, the government of a province, which is primarily responsible for education, health and social services, natural resources and the environment, the administration of justice and municipal government.
Q
The combination of credentials, knowledge, skills and work experience.
Qualification recognition
A process that involves the assessment of both credentials and competencies as well as work experience in order to assist employers, educational institutions and professional regulatory bodies in making informed decisions.
R
Recognition
The formal acceptance of a student's knowledge, skills, or former academic studies.
Regulatory body
An organization that sets the standards and practices of a regulated occupation.
NOTE: Within each province and territory, a regulatory body exists for each regulated occupation.
Request for proposals
A bid solicitation document used for requirements exceeding authorized limits when it is expected that negotiations with one or more bidders may be required with respect to any aspect of the requirements or, in addition to price, other factors will be considered in the selection of the contractor, or only one source is being solicited.
Research
A detailed and systematic study of a subject to establish facts or principles.
S
Sector council
An organization that brings together representatives from business, labour, education, and other professional groups within an industry or profession.
Service
An organization or system that provides something which the public needs, especially transport, communications facilities, or information.
Settlement
A period of adjustment that occurs following a migrant or refugee's arrival in a new country.
Settlement program
A program that provides appropriate support and services to newcomers to assist in their settlement and long-term integration in Canada, to help them contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of the country.
Settlement service
A service that aims to support newcomers by providing them with language assessment and training, orientation to help them adapt to life in Canada, support in developing social or work-related skills, etc.
Stakeholder engagement
The involvement of various organizations, such as provincial/territorial and federal governments, immigrant-serving agencies, employers, regulatory bodies and sector councils, in order to support the integration of internationally trained workers into Canada’s labour force.
T
Tool
Any object, skill, etc. used for a particular task or in a particular job.
V
Voluntary certification
The assessment of the skills and knowledge of workers in non-regulated occupations in order to establish job proficiency.
W
Workshop
A series of educational sessions or work meetings on a specific subject over a short period with a small number of participants.