November 28, 2023Back to Latest

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on the Western Canada Competency Profile (WCCP) so far. A reminder that there is still time to take the survey before the deadline, Monday, Dec. 18, to provide your feedback on the draft WCCP. 

The purpose of the survey is for lawyers to rate the WCCP competencies and provide ACT, a third-party consultant facilitating this engagement, with further data to validate the competencies as those required for entry to legal practice. If you are currently in active practice or you have held active practising status in Alberta at some point within the past five years, you are eligible to participate. 

The survey takes about 25 minutes to complete and participation is voluntary. You will be asked to rate the components of the competency profile and answer a brief professional background questionnaire.  

ACT is using the Qualtrics platform to collect anonymous responses. Responses will be deleted from the Qualtrics server one month after the survey closes and the data collected will not be shared publicly. No personally identifying information will be collected or reported. If you require technical assistance with the survey, contact ACT.   

Background

As communicated in July, the Law Societies of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are engaged in an initiative to identify and validate the competencies needed for entry to legal practice. This initiative will result in the publication of a Western Canada Competency Profile (WCCP) that will help inform lawyer training and education, including bar admission program development and experiential learning opportunities. This work aligns with our Strategic Plan and ongoing efforts towards enhancing lawyer competence in Alberta. 

An appointed WCCP Task Force – a diverse group of practitioners, educators, Benchers, articling supervisors and other key stakeholders from across the four provinces – has drafted the WCCP. A third-party consultant, ACT Inc., conducted focus groups in July and August with key stakeholders to collect feedback on the draft. The WCCP was then refined to reflect the feedback. We are now seeking feedback on the WCCP from the wider legal profession.