In recognition of CERIC’s 10th anniversary in 2014, The Counselling Foundation of Canada is funding the launch of an online competition this summer to solicit ideas and create a national dialogue that can enhance and promote the image of career development in Canada.

The results of a national survey commissioned by CERIC about the Canadian workplace and how Canadians approach their own career development showed that career development, its professionals and their rich contribution to the nation are greatly undervalued. This online competition will serve to surface innovative strategies for how to solve this perception gap in Canada.

These proposals might include: how to change high school curriculum to improve career development’s influence; policy recommendations that government could implement to persuade adult learners about the value of career development professionals; or a clever marketing campaign that makes the case about how career development promotes our Canadian economy.

A panel of judges will be assembled to shortlist entries based on their innovation, practicality and potential impact. The career development community will then vote for their top choices online. Three cash prizes of $5,000 will be awarded in addition to Cannexus14 registrations for the three entries that receive the most votes. Winners will be recognized at the Cannexus conference in January 2014.

Watch for further details on the competition and entry requirements.