Overview

Contribution Exchange is developing the Work-Based Learning Numbering System and PathLedger as components of an infrastructure for documenting, recognizing, validating, and recording learning gained through contribution. The two components are used together as part of Contribution Exchange’s process for moving evidence of learning from contribution and collection through recognition, validation, and credentialing.

Contribution Exchange defines "work-based learning" broadly as learning generated through purposeful contribution. This can include contribution occurring in workplaces, communities, families, civic settings, and other contexts. Its approach focuses on making learning gained through these experiences visible and portable rather than limiting work-based learning to structured educational programs such as internships or apprenticeships.

• Work-Based Learning Numbering System
  • Global Indexing system designed to organize learning gained through contribution.
  • Uses the system to connect recognized contributions with standards used in the validation of learning.
  • Serves as a global skills index that can be used by employers, organizations, and governments to recognize skills and learning associated with contributions.
  • The system is also used in Praxis: The Work-Based Learning Journal to structure and track contributions published through the journal.
• PathLedger
  • Digital recordkeeping system for documenting evidence of learning gained through contribution.
  • Individuals can use PathLedger to record contributions and collect evidence showing what they have accomplished and learned.
  • Examples of evidence include documents, projects, websites, and other artifacts.
  • Following recognition and validation, assessment outcomes can also be recorded in PathLedger.
  • Can enable individuals to control how they curate, manage, and share evidence of their learning.

This work follows a five-stage process for documenting and recognizing learning:

1. Contribute – Learning occurs through an activity or contribution.
2. Collect – Individuals gather evidence showing what they have accomplished.
3. Recognize – Evidence is shared with individuals who can attest to the contribution and whether it met intended needs or expectations.
4. Validate – Evidence is assessed against applicable standards.
5. Credential – Following validation, assessment outcomes can be recorded in PathLedger as portable evidence of the individual’s learning and capacity.

Contribution Exchange has been applying the Work-Based Learning Numbering System and PathLedger in recognition of prior learning projects with the University of King’s College in Nova Scotia. In 2025, the Council Advancing Work-Based Learning partnered with the University of King’s College to establish infrastructure through which liberal arts graduates could demonstrate workforce contributions aligned with components of the Chartered Management Program from Chartered Managers of Canada.

In March 2026, the organization announced a second project with the University of King’s College, Evaluating Online Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment for Nova Scotia’s Liberal Arts Workforce. Funded by the Province of Nova Scotia, the project is testing online approaches to recognition of prior learning for rapid skills assessment and recognition.

The project combines:

• open-access professional standards from Chartered Managers of Canada indexed within the Work-Based Learning Numbering System
• PathLedger, through which individuals record contributions and gather evidence of learning
• structured validation process for assessing learning gained through contribution.

Contribution Exchange identifies workforce mobility, rapid skills assessment, upskilling, and validation of learning gained through contribution as potential applications of this work.

Background

The Council Advancing Work-Based Learning developed the Work-Based Learning Numbering System and PathLedger as part of its work to establish systems for recognizing learning acquired through contribution. In July 2026, the Council Advancing Work-Based Learning changed its name to Contribution Exchange. The organization stated that the development of PathLedger and the Work-Based Learning Numbering System had helped clarify its purpose around making contribution visible and portable and placing records of that contribution in the hands of the individual who created it.

Funding & Participants 

• Chartered Managers of Canada – its open-access professional standards and components of its Chartered Management Program are used in the recognition of prior learning work.
• Contribution Exchange – develops the Work-Based Learning Numbering System, PathLedger, and the contribution-recognition framework.
• Province of Nova Scotia – provides funding for the 2026 Evaluating Online Recognition of Prior Learning Assessment for Nova Scotia’s Liberal Arts Workforce project.
• University of King’s College – works with Contribution Exchange on the recognition of prior learning projects involving liberal arts graduates.

Resources

Contribution Exchange. (2026). Council Advancing Work-Based Learning is now Contribution Exchange.

Contribution Exchange. (2026). Expanding RPL pathways.

Contribution Exchange. Contribution Exchange.

Contribution Exchange. What is work-based learning?.