Identification of Learning
Name: Melissa Tardif
Date: July 16, 2025
ID: T00018271
Program: Bachelor of General Studies
Category 1: Public Administration and Municipal Services
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- City of Port Alberni – Development Services and Business Licensing Clerk
- City of Port Alberni – Economic Development Assistant
- City of Port Alberni – Parks, Recreation, Maintenance, and RCMP Detachment (joint City position handling Records, Exhibits, Transcription, and Reception)
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2005-Present (20+ years of municipal and RCMP-integrated experience)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Municipal bylaw interpretation and application
- Zoning, permits, and development processing
- Business licensing procedures and interdepartmental coordination
- Customer service in high-pressure public-facing environments
- Administrative systems, software (Tempest, Penny, Dynamics), and tracking sheets
- Confidential records handling and law enforcement protocols
- Reception and frontline service in both municipal and RCMP settings
- Collaboration across planning, building, engineering, bylaw enforcement, and public works
- Public communication and education regarding bylaws and permit processes
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
1.1 Redesigned city form (property search request)
1.3 Email to residents regarding short-term rentals
3.1 Submission Guidelines for Permits
3.2 Redesigned city form (building permit and business licence)
3.4 Internal Economic Development Assistant Job Description
4.1 Redesigned city form (building information sheets)
7.1 Reference letter from Director of Development Services/Deputy CAO, Scott Smith
Category 2: Business Ownership and Entrepreneurial Operations
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Owner/Operator of Platinum Pro Services (Commercial janitorial business)
- Freelance work in yard care, cleaning, and gig services prior to business launch
- Self-directed learning through government resources, trial and error, and client feedback
- Designed and managed a business website, later removing it to limit client intake
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2002-2015 Gig and freelance work (cleaning, yard care) (approximately 13 years)
- 2015-Present Owner/Operator of Platinum Pro Services (over 10 years)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Small business setup, planning, branding, and marketing
- Budgeting, financial tracking, and pricing strategy
- Staff hiring, training, discipline, and supervision
- Health and safety policies aligned with WorkSafeBC
- Client communication, scheduling, and service delivery
- Website development and online presence management
- Strategic decision-making to control workload and avoid overexpansion
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
3.5 Business card and branding materials for Platinum Pro Services
3.6 Workplace policy samples from Platinum Pro Services **Content warning**
5.1 Client quote for Platinum Pro Services
5.2 Client invoice for Platinum Pro Services
5.3 Client payment records for Platinum Pro Services
Category 3: Emergency Response and Public Safety
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Emergency Reception Centre Receptionist during a citywide power outage (Echo Centre, City of Port Alberni)
- First Aid Attendant for the City of Port Alberni workplace (PEB (Planning, Engineering, Building Facility, City of Port Alberni)
- Volunteer firefighter with Qualicum Beach Fire Department
- Critical Incident Peer Counsellor and safety support with RCMP (City-employed role)
- Completion of emergency and safety courses through Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), WorkSafeBC, and City of Port Alberni
- Occupational Health & Safety Committee member for the City of Port Alberni
- Feral cat rescue and emergency care through Alberni Valley Cat Rescue
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2006-Present (with emergency reception centre activation in 2011, volunteer firefighting in 2017, and 15+ years of ongoing training and safety roles)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Emergency coordination and public safety procedures
- Emergency Reception Centre setup and frontline community response
- Incident Command System (ICS) and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) principles and operations
- WHMIS, First Aid, and hazard recognition
- Firefighting, emergency drills, emergency medical assistance and teamwork under pressure
- Workplace first aid readiness and emergency incident response
- Providing care, administering medications, and coordinating veterinary visits and adoptions in partnership with rescue coordinator
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
7.2 JIBC emergency response course completions and certificates
7.4 WHMIS/OHS/First Aid course completions and certificates
Category 4: Training and Supervision
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Supervised and trained employees at Platinum Pro Services
- Mentored several colleagues in Development Services and Business Licensing (including Melanie, who will provide a reference)
- Trained casual staff for City of Port Alberni roles (Echo Centre, RCMP reception and transcription, Development Services, Economic Development)
- Leadership and logistics coordination through Nanaimo Pride Society and Port Alberni LGBTQ+ Meetups
- Committee and board participation (VIRA and Pride organizations)
- Volunteer-based knowledge sharing, including onboarding volunteers and managing group dynamics
- Created full job instructions for a BC Assessment task in less than a day to support a return-to-work employee from another department, while still managing my duties
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2008-Present (17+ years of formal and informal leadership, mentorship, and training experience)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- One-on-one mentorship and peer development
- Staff onboarding, job shadowing, and knowledge transfer
- Supervisory practices and setting clear expectations
- Communication, feedback, and confidence-building
- Event and volunteer team leadership
- Conflict prevention and positive group culture development
- Cross-training and support
- Fast-paced instruction writing
- Balancing priorities under pressure
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
2.1 Internal instruction guide created for casual staff
2.2 Reference letter from casual City of Port Alberni employee, Melanie Croteau
6.1 Internal instructions for BC Assessment task
Category 5: Civic Engagement and Community Advocacy
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Attending and listening to City of Port Alberni council meetings and Committee of the Whole meetings
- Participating in union meetings and workplace representation discussions
- Co-founder and managing the Port Alberni LGBTQ+ Meetups & Events Facebook group
- Vice-President and logistics coordinator for Nanaimo Pride Society
- Secretary for Vancouver Island Rainbow Association (VIRA)
- Organized a 50/50 raffle fundraiser for Valley Cats, including applying to the Province, setting up the online ticket platform, and running the final draw
- Fundraising and public outreach for Pride events and local initiatives
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2008-Present (17+ years of community engagement and grassroots leadership)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Understanding municipal governance and civic processes
- Labour representation, union processes, and workplace advocacy
- Public advocacy and inclusion
- Event logistics, partnership building, and stakeholder engagement
- Fundraising and promotional coordination
- Community-building through digital platforms and in-person events
- Navigating diverse perspectives and group dynamics
- Fundraising coordination and outreach
- Event planning and compliance
- Community support and follow-through
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
2.3 Screenshots from LGBTQ+ Facebook group
5.4 50/50 fundraiser documentation (registration)
7.3 List of completed courses **Content warning**
Category 6: Parenting and Lifelong Personal Management
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Raising my daughter from infancy to adulthood while managing full-time work, education, and homeownership
- Became a homeowner when my daughter was one year old and managed our home and finances independently
- Although I had a long-term partner during my daughter’s youth, I remained her primary support for education, personal development, and day to day care.
- Navigated challenges and transitions while managing work demands, personal goals, and family responsibilities
- Taught my daughter real-life skills like taxes, RRSP’s, credit, and banking. Encouraged her to start investing at 16 and stay civically engaged by 18 years old
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2001-2023 (Over 20 years of parenting and household management, with primary caregiving role throughout)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Emotional resilience, maturity, and long-term personal responsibility
- Time management and prioritization between work, parenting and personal development
- Budgeting, homeownership, and managing household needs
- Supporting a child’s academic, emotional, and extracurricular growth
- Balancing independence and guidance through youth and early adulthood
- Managing change while remaining a stable and supportive presence
- Financial literacy and credit building
- Personal goal-setting and early investment
- Civic awareness and responsibility
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
1.4 Written reflection on parenting and household management
Category 7: Technology and Applied Digital Skills
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- On-the-job use of municipal software (Tempest, Penny, Dynamics) at the City of Port Alberni
- Use of RCMP systems (e.g. PRIME, CPIC, PROS, Directory Services) for recordkeeping and evidence management during City of Port Alberni employment at the RCMP detachment
- Graphic design and creative work using Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Use of SketchUp, AutoCAD, BIM modeling software for visual planning, 3D design, and spatial layout projects
- Website design and content management for Platinum Pro Services (self-built)
- Independent learning through online certification courses and software tutorials
- Application of technical tools in DIY projects, business operations, and civic workflows
- Created USB information pens for Economic Development with tailored content for residents and business owners, used for community outreach
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2001-Present (20+ years of practical technology use across professional, personal, and creative settings)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Document design, layout editing, and digital publishing
- Spreadsheet creation, data entry, and workflow tracking
- 2D and 3D modelling for space planning and visual design
- Use of municipal systems for permitting, licensing, and recordkeeping
- Website setup, user experience, and visual branding
- Self-directed software learning and continuous digital skills development
- Custom digital content
- Public communication tools
- Outreach through tech-based formats
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
1.2 Screenshots of USB Pens for Port Alberni residents
4.2 Internal building permit spreadsheet
5.5 Blueprint course certificate
8.3 Modeling software renderings
Category 8: Art, Repair and Construction
1. Listing of Where and How Learning Took Place:
- Hands-on DIY projects including building feature walls, hidden doors, in-floor wine cellar, and outdoor structures
- Gardening and growing fruits and vegetables for personal use
- Performing automotive body work and repairs as part of vehicle resoration and resale
- Listening to audiobooks and podcasts on planning, psychology, design, and leadership during walks, chores, and commutes
- Completing over 250 escape rooms across North America and Europe
- Creating functional and artistic resin art pieces
- Using SketchUp and BIM software to visualize layouts and enhance spatial planning for home and outdoor projects
- Designed and hosted a zombie-themed Halloween murder mystery and escape room with interactive puzzles, animatronics, and custom storytelling
- Planned escape room themed wedding
2. Date and Duration of Learning:
- 2001-Present (20+ years of ongoing self-directed learning and applied hands-on experience)
3. Major Topics Covered:
- Project planning, budgeting, and hands-on construction
- Sustainability, food production, and seasonal planting
- Mechanical problem-solving and basic automotive repair
- Automotive body repair, sanding, prepping, and finishing techniques
- Creative expression, fine motor skills, and design detail through resin art
- Spatial reasoning and digital visualization using SketchUp
- Critical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability through escape room challenges
- Lifelong learning through non-fiction audio content and personal curiosity
- Themed event planning and design
- Puzzle-building and interactive problem-solving
- Creative use of props, sound, and visual elements
4. Evidence in Support of Learning:
6.2 Escape room wedding photos
6.3 Screenshots of escape room party Facebook event **Content warning**
6.4 Photos of escape room party **Content warning**
8.1 Photos and descriptions of DIY
8.2 Before and after photo of vehicle restoration work
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