Saskatchewan Polytechnic joins BCIT in recognizing military experience for veterans and reservists

Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Image credit: Saskatchewan Polytechnic

This agreement paves the way for the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through military training and experience to be applied as credit towards a certificate, diploma or degree


June 4, 2018 – The goal is to help increase educational options for current and former members of the military across Canada. Today the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Saskatchewan Polytechnic and National Advanced Placement & Prior Learning signed a memorandum of understanding in support of recognizing military experience in post-secondary settings.          

"The British Columbia Institute of Technology is excited to have Saskatchewan Polytechnic as part of the National Advanced Placement and Prior Learning partnership, providing us with a premium polytechnic representing Saskatchewan,” says Dr. Kevin Wainwright, director of BCIT SITE Centre. “This will provide an opportunity for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members in Saskatchewan to get recognition for their service and access to advanced placement education options.”

This agreement, the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, will provide academic pathways and Prior Learning/Experience Recognition for Canadian service men and women advancing their military careers or transitioning out of military service into civilian careers through post-secondary education.

“We are strongly committed to helping our current and former servicemen and women achieve their educational dreams,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “This agreement paves the way for the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through military experience to be applied as credit for placement towards a certificate, diploma or degree at Sask Polytech.”

Prior Learning/Experience Recognition provides assessment of knowledge and skills gained through work, volunteering and other informal learning for credit within a formal learning setting. This agreement provides credits to current and former members of the military and helps them gain credentials faster, to get into industry faster.

“It is with great pleasure that I am here today to witness the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding that will bring our valued members closer to their education goals, whether to further their military career, or to gain brand new skills towards a rewarding civilian career. Being able to link skills and knowledge gained throughout a military career to a new education program means that members with a history of service can leverage their time-earned talents towards future career success,” says Colonel Geoff Abthorpe, Commander, 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

BCIT is an institute of higher education that exists to serve the citizens of British Columbia and its partners around the world, and to educate and train graduates who are career-ready, who are immediately productive in their chosen workplace, and who are ongoing assets to their employers.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a Polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

The National Advanced Placement and Prior Learning (N-APPL) program evaluates and recognizes the skills and expertise acquired through military training to fast-track military members to a credential. N-APPL uses a collaborative approach between post-secondary schools Canada-wide. It is the national extension of the Legion Military Skills Conversion Program, originally based on the Advanced Placement and Prior Learning method at British Columbia Institute of Technology.

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