British Columbia College of Social Workers

Always friendly and helpful when I call for information. It's great someone always answers the phone and is available to answer my questions.

All documentaion with proof in reviews was removed, I lam blocked from my google account with no access. I am reposting.

Maybe it's time to review BCCSW's membership rules. I strongly believe they have strong characteristics of sedimented gatekeeping towards international applicants. The result is entry and access barrier to social work jobs. I don't have to go on about the vulnerable psycho-socio-economic place where it puts people who are only trained in social work practices to social workers who are in practice. Considering the time and resources it takes to equalize a degree, it would have been better if BCCSW could also accept detailed equalisation's that have been already done through other Canadian agencies, say like CASW. ASWB examinations are criticized by NASW for it's inherent flaws. Many states in the United States have recently removed the need of an ASWB result for the same reason, and to an extent it is a reading exam that doesn't reflect practice. Also, as a membership aspirant, I am not that thrilled about storing personal data in another country if it could be avoided. BCCSW should follow course by removing the need of an ASWB result. However, if BCCSW still wants examinations, I suggest the organization should consider building an annual/biennial re-certification program similar to the Medical Terminology course format from St.John Ambulance with newer and updated modules as services grow and demand. Since already a plenty of such platforms exists, it would be just about hiring a firm that has a good template and making some cosmetic changes and adding content to it. It is even done by individuals who run niche courses, so it would be much easier for BCCSW to take such an initiative. Apart from the yearly confirmation of competence (maybe a small fee could be charged for the yearly thing as well), an advantage of this is topics that matter like trauma informed practice, indigenous social work, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, mental health and related laws that are specific to BC, etc could be covered through this platform. If making content is a worry, it is not like the old days, nowadays it's very easy to generate copyright free content and formulate questions with AI web tools. Also, if needed certifications could be generated per specialisation, for the type of work the social worker pursues with addon modules. I would be much happier to spend my money with BCCSW so that the organization could use the additional income to conduct classes, webinars, and programs for its members, rather than giving it to a foreign organization that doesn't have the best interests. This would be a win-win solution and an anti-oppressive step towards meaningful inclusion of IESW's and DESW's who have test-taking anxieties. Wish you all the best, and hopefully a right change would be made in the immediate future. Let us be a part of beautiful BC! Thanks.

I spoke to Rosa who did a great job answering my questions!